Clinical and biochemical indicators in patients undergoing limb lengthening using Ilizarov's method

The authors report that in 33 patients who underwent stretching of the extremity by the method of dosed distraction after G. A. Ilizarov following corticotomy there were no significant changes in a number of biochemical values (serum concentrations of general protein, albumin, urea, uric acid, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, magnesium, chlorides). The level of other values (alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase enzymes, etc.) increased and sometimes exceeded the physiological limits of its age group, but did not exceed the normal limits in the population as a whole. A reliable change in the values was observed with their level being higher during the period of natural growth because of intensification of anabolic processes and growth of the mass of organs and tissues or increase in their function. A rise in serum concentrations of calcium, phosphate and hydroxyproline with the urine demonstrates in combination with the data of biphoton densimetry of the skeleton and distraction regenerate that at the same time with improved absorption of electrolytes in the intestines during distraction there was an activation of mobilization of the minerals from the intact skeleton. A problem of adequate consumption of mineral substances with the food is put forward.     

Progressive lengthening of short congenital forearm stump in children for prosthetic fitting

Purpose

The sufficient length of congenital forearm stump is essential for prosthetic fitting. In our study we reviewed the results of a series of forearm stump lengthening, observed complications and their outcomes. We evaluated possibilities of combined technique to reduce or avoid problems and complications in forearm stump lengthening.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 18 children who have undergone forearm stump lengthening. In all patients the forearm lengthening was performed by means of Ilizarov frame. Additional flexible intramedullary nailing (FIN) was applied in two cases.

Results

The mean lengthening gain was 4.6 cm. The planned lengthening gain was obtained in all cases. The mean healing index (HI) was 34.1 days/cm. The most reduced HI was observed in two cases of combined technique (Ilizarov frame with FIN): 25.4 and 27.0 days/cm. Considering complications and outcomes the results were classified according to Lascombes: grade I—5 cases, IIa—10 cases, IIb—2 cases, IIIa—1 case. In the long term follow-up all patients used their prostheses fixed at the forearm stump with natural function of elbow joint.

Conclusion

Forearm progressive lengthening in children with congenital transverse deficiency of the forearm is justified in order to facilitate prosthetic procedures and to preserve natural function of elbow joint. Sufficient lengthening can be achieved within one operation with a low rate of major complications. In our experience a repeated lengthening of forearm stump is not mandatory.

     

Effect of Richlocaine Alone or in Combination with Energostim on the Severity of Endotoxemia and Survival of the Skin under Conditions of Reduced Blood Flow

The local anesthetic richlocaine decreased the area of necrosis in the skin flap under conditions of reduced blood flow by 29.5%. Improved survival of skin flap after richlocaine treatment alleviated endogenous intoxication, reduced secondary inflammatory reaction, improved liver function, and normalized the ratio between vasoconstricting and vasodilating prostaglandins. This effect was most pronounced after combination therapy with richlocaine and direct-action antihypoxant energostim.     

Effect of sodium succinate on histomorphological changes of autodermic grafts in rats

Sodium succinate was found to increase the viability of epithelial cells in autodermic transplants. It stimulated the proliferation of epidermal cells of the basal layer, enhanced the activity of succinate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase and adenosine triphosphatase, intensified the formation of keratin, and activated the ingrowth of blood vessels through the generation of functioning endothelial cells. Translated fromByulleten' Experimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 126, No. 11, pp. 555–560, November, 1998     

Phenotypic knockout of VEGF-R2 and Tie-2 with an intradiabody reduces tumor growth and angiogenesis in vivo

The endothelial cell receptor-tyrosine kinases, VEGF receptor 2 (VEGF-R2) and Tie-2, and their ligands, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietins 1 and 2, respectively, play key roles in tumor angiogenesis. Several studies suggest that the VEGF receptor pathway and the Tie-2 pathway are independent and essential mediators of angiogenesis, leading to the hypothesis that simultaneous interference with both pathways should result in additive effects on tumor growth. In this study, a human melanoma xenograft model (M21) was used to analyze the effects of simultaneous intradiabody depletion of vascular endothelial growth receptor-R2 and Tie-2 on tumor angiogenesis and tumor xenograft growth. The intradiabodies were expressed from recombinant adenovirus delivered through subtumoral injection. Blockade of both VEGF-R2 and Tie-2 pathways simultaneously or the VEGF receptor pathway alone resulted in a significant inhibition of tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis (92.2% and 74.4%, respectively). In addition, immunohistochemical staining of intradiabody-treated tumors demonstrated a decreased number of tumor-associated blood vessels versus control treatment. Previous studies with intrabodies had demonstrated that the Tie-2 receptor pathway was essential for tumor growth. The simultaneous blockade of the VEGF and Tie-2 pathways resulted in effective inhibition of tumor growth and demonstrated the potential of simultaneous targeting of multiple pathways as a therapeutic strategy.     

Solubility of erythromycin from solid dispersions

The effect of solid dispersion (SD) formation on the solubility of the antibiotic erythromycin has been studied using the parent substance of erythromycin and its SDs with polyethyleneglycol (PEG-1500), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP-10000), and β-cyclodextrin. It is established that SD formation increases the solubility of the antibiotic by a factor of 1.3 – 1.8; the dissolution rate, 1.5 – 2.0. Results using a complex of physical and chemical methods suggest that the increase in erythromycin release from SDs takes place due to a decrease in the degree of crystallinity and the formation of intermolecular complexes.     

Experience in using phytopreparations to prevent and correct inflammatory urinary tract diseases

The waste of some fruits, berries, and vegetables, which are accumulated by food industries (juice-extracting, wine, confectionery, and other industries) and generally completely utilized was pharmacognistically and phytochemically analyzed. The phytochemical analysis showed that the study objects (black currant, raspberry, viburnum, red and black mountain ashes, and grape fruit bagasses and melon, squash, and tomato seeds) contain a lot of lipophilic fractions (fatty oil) that present a complex of valuable biologically active substances. The developed recipes of phytopreparations are safe-and-easy-to-use and can be successfully used in patients with chronic inflammatory uterine appendage diseases and in those who present a difficult cohort of patients with lower urinary tract dysfunctions which are hardly correctable and require sophisticated choice of adequate drug therapy.