5-HYDROXYTRYPTAMINE-INDUCED CONTRACTION OF THE MARMOSET AORTA IS MEDIATED BY A 5-HT1-LIKE RECEPTOR

1. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) exerts both contractile and relaxant effects in the marmoset isolated aorta, actions that are unaffected by the 5-HT₂ antagonist ketanserin. The aim of the present study was to define the receptors mediating the contractile activity of 5-HT in the marmoset aorta.
2. Contractile responses were elicited in aortic rings that were either: (i) precontracted submaximally with the thromboxane A₂ agonist U44069 in order to amplify the responses; or (ii) exposed to N ^ω-nitro- L -arginine (100 μmol/L) plus LY 53857 (0.1 μmol/L; a 5-HT₂ receptor antagonist shown previously to inhibit relaxation). The effect of 5-HT on adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) formation was also investigated.
3. The effects of agonists and antagonists comprised: (i) agonist potencies in the order 5-carboxamidotryptamine > 5-HT > sumatriptan > 8-hydroxy-2-(di- n -propylamino)tetralin; (ii) inhibition of contractile action of 5-HT by the 5-HT_1D antagonist GR 127935; (iii) a contractile response to methysergide; (iv) a lack of effect of tropisetron, an antagonist of 5-HT₃ and 5-HT₄ receptors; and (v) inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP formation by 5-HT (in the presence of LY 53857), indicative of negative coupling to adenylate cyclase.
4. The above effects fulfil the criteria for a 5-HT₁-like receptor. In view of the previous finding that this contractile response is insensitive to ketanserin, it is concluded that the contractile effects of 5-HT in the marmoset aorta are mediated exclusively by a 5-HT₁-like receptor.     

The use of structural distal femoral allografts for acetabular reconstruction. Average ten-year follow-up

BACKGROUND: Acetabular fixation during revision total hip arthroplasty in patients who have a nonsupportive superior dome and proximal migration of the acetabular component (a Paprosky Type-IIIa defect) cannot be achieved reliably with use of a hemispherical porous-coated component alone. The purposes of the present study were to determine the long-term results associated with the use of a porous-coated hemispherical acetabular component, supported with a distal femoral structural allograft, for revision at the site of a Type-IIIa defect and to determine if graft resorption leads to late failure. METHODS: Thirty-one patients who had an acetabular reconstruction with use of a distal femoral allograft for the treatment of a Type-IIIa defect between January 1985 and December 1990 were followed annually with clinical and radiographic evaluations. At the time of the latest follow-up, eight patients had died and one patient had been lost to follow-up. One of the patients who died had had a clinical failure at 4.5 years postoperatively and was included in the analysis. Therefore, twenty-three patients, who had had an average age of sixty-one years at the time of the index procedure, were evaluated at an average of 10.3 years postoperatively. RESULTS: Five acetabular components were re-revised because of aseptic loosening at an average of 5.3 years after the index procedure. Radiographically, all but one of the remaining components were stable and showed evidence of bone ingrowth. The average Merle D'Aubigné and Postel hip score improved from 5 points preoperatively to 10 points at the time of the latest follow-up. Allograft bone resorption, although difficult to quantitate, was observed around six of the seventeen stable components and around two of the five components that failed clinically. CONCLUSIONS: Acetabular revision with use of a porous-coated acetabular component along with a structural distal femoral allograft for the treatment of a Type-IIIa defect demonstrated a high rate of clinical and radiographic success after an average of ten years of follow-up.     

Mine Blast Injuries - Our Experience

Background

The sudden increase in incidence and magnitude of mine blast injuries prompted us to highlight the problem and its management.

Methods

The cases of mine blast injuries occurring during mining and demining in a particular geographical area were analysed. Total 27 cases of mine blast injuries occurred during mining or demining operations in a period of 13 months.

Results

Various body regions were involved in the mine blast injuries but the main brunt was borne by feet and legs followed by multiple body regions due to splinters. 14 patients underwent below knee (BK) amputation while 4 patients required through knee (TK) amputations. The effect of blast was so severe that most of the cases required 2 to 5 times wound debridements. The initial aggressive debridement / open stump amputation saved the limb and life of all patients.

Conclusion

A mine blast causes extensive injuries and psychological trauma. Management is needed urgently, surgery is difficult, and amputation is often inevitable. Maximum lives and limbs can be saved with aggressive debridement, repeated inspections and dressings under anaesthesia and definitive closure at optimum time.Key Words: Amputation, Antipersonnel mine, Crush syndrome, Debridements, Mine blast injury, Secondary missiles, Shrapenels     

Study of renal blood supply and its implication in renal pelvic surgery

Studies of the blood supply and healing potential of the renal pelvis were correlated. Angiographic studies of anatomic dissection of the blood supply, performed following an injection technique, proved that branches from the renal, lumbar, capsular, and ureteral arteries result in an abundant capillary supply. Comparison of healing after longitudinal and transverse incisions showed no significant difference.     

Revision total hip arthroplasty: the limits of fully coated stems

Femoral revision with a 7-inch or 8-inch fully porous-coated stem may not provide reliable long-term results in patients with moderate bone loss. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the limits of fully porous-coated stems and to create a treatment algorithm for femoral deficiencies. Fifty-one patients with either a 10-inch or 9-inch calcar fully porous-coated stem, 10 patients with impaction bone grafting, and 10 patients with a modular tapered stem were evaluated at an average 4.2 years postoperatively. The mechanical failure rate among the 9-inch and 10-inch fully porous-coated stems was 0% in Type III B defects with femoral canals less than 19 mm (15 patients), 18% in Type IIIB defects with femoral canals greater than 19 mm (2 of 11 patients) and 37.5% in Type IV defects (three of eight patients). There were no mechanical failures observed among the bone packing or modular tapered stems. Patients with Type IIIB defects and a femoral canal less than 19 mm can be treated successfully with either a 10-inch or 9-inch calcar fully porous-coated stem. However, patients with Type IIIB defect and an endosteal canal greater than 19 mm or a Type IV defect require alternative methods of reconstruction such as a modular tapered stem or a bone packing procedure.     

Variations in the resting oxygen consumption of small babies

Over 200 measurements of the resting rate of oxygen consumption using an open-circuit method were made on 15 small babies nursed in their usual clinical setting during the first month of life. There were striking and persistent variations between babies that could not be explained by postnatal age, relationship to feed, sleep, or time of day. It was not possible from clinical examination to predict which babies had the higher or lower metabolic rates, except that babies who were light-for-dates generally had higher values. Because of these variations the appropriate thermal temperature for small babies cannot be predicted from average values adjusted for body weight and postnatal age alone.