The natural killer cell activating receptor,NKG2D,is critical to antibody-dependent chronic rejection in heart transplantation

Chronic rejection is among the most pressing clinical challenges in solid organ transplantation. Interestingly, in a mouse model of heterotopic heart transplantation, antibody-dependent, natural killer (NK) cell-mediated chronic cardiac allograft vasculopathy occurs in some donor–recipient strain combinations, but not others. In this study, we sought to identify the mechanism underlying this unexplained phenomenon. Cardiac allografts from major histocompatibility complex (MHC) mismatched donors were transplanted into immune-deficient C57Bl/6.rag^−/− recipients, followed by administration of a monoclonal antibody against the donor MHC class I antigen. We found marked allograft vasculopathy in hearts from C3H donors, but near-complete protection of BALB/c allografts from injury. We found no difference in recipient NK cell phenotype or intrinsic responsiveness to activating signals between recipients of C3H versus BALB/c allografts. However, cardiac endothelial cells from C3H allografts showed an approximately twofold higher expression of Rae-1, an activating ligand of the NK cell receptor natural killer group 2D (NKG2D). Importantly, the administration of a neutralizing antibody against NKG2D abrogated the development of allograft vasculopathy in recipients of C3H allografts, even in the presence of donor-specific antibodies. Therefore, the activating NK cell receptor NKG2D is necessary in this model of chronic cardiac allograft vasculopathy, and strain-dependent expression of NK activating ligands correlates with the development of this disease.     

Assessment of changes in penile sensation by electrophysiological study after radical prostatectomy: A pilot study

Background:To evaluate the changes in penile sensation by electrophysiological tests in patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) and to demonstrate the role of dorsal penile nerve injury in postoperative erectile dysfunction.Materials and methods:Twenty-six volunteer patients who were eligible for RP were included in the study. Preoperative penile sensory electromyography and the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) questionnaire were done for each patient. Erectile function assessment and electrophysiological evaluation of penile sensation were repeated at postoperative 3rd and 6th months.Results:Postoperative IIEF-5 scores and electromyography values were significantly lower than preoperative findings (p < 0.05). The IIEF-5 scores in the nerve sparing-RP (NS-RP) group were significantly higher than the non-nerve sparing-RP (NNS-RP) group in the postoperative period. Nerve conduction velocity values in the NS-RP group were also higher than the NNS-RP group at the postoperative 3rd and 6th months. However, these changes were not statistically significant (p > 0.05).Conclusions:Patients who underwent RP have decreased penile sensation due to cavernous nerve damage and a possible dorsal penile nerve injury. The decrease of penile sensation may be associated with postoperative erectile dysfunction.     

膝关节屈曲90°连续缝合切口对全膝关节置换术治疗效果的影响

目的 比较膝关节屈曲90°连续缝合切口和膝关节伸直位连续缝合切口在全膝关节置换术（total knee arthroplasty,TKA）中的应用效果。方法 选择2017年1月至2019年1月我院收治的122例拟行TKA手术的病人,采用随机数字表法将病人分为两组,对照组（61例）采用膝关节伸直位连续缝合切口,观察组（61例）采用膝关节屈曲90°连续缝合切口。比较两组病人切口长度、缝合时间、手术时间、术后失血量、直腿抬高活动时间、屈膝90°活动时间、拆线时间、住院时间、Hollander切口愈合（Hollander wound evaluation scale,HWES）评分、美国纽约特种外科医院（American hospital for special surgery,HSS）膝关节评分、Rasmussen评分、膝关节活动范围（ROM）、疼痛视觉模拟量表（visual analogue scale,VAS）以及术后并发症差异。结果 两组切口长度、缝合时间、手术时间、术后失血量、直腿抬高活动时间、拆线时间、住院时间、HWES评分、并发症发生率比较,差异均无统计学意义（P均＞0.05）。观察组屈膝90°活动时间短于对照组,术后24 h、48 h的HSS评分、Rasmussen评分高于对照组,膝关节ROM大于对照组,术后24 h、48 h、72 h的VAS评分均低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义（P均＜0.05）。结论 膝关节屈曲90°连续缝合切口可减轻术后早期疼痛程度,利于膝关节功能恢复,且不增加并发症发生风险。     

Analgesic Effects of Ultrasound‐Guided Iliohypogastric/Ilioinguinal Nerve Block Combined with Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Block in Total Hip Arthroplasty via Direct Anterior Approach: A Retrospective Cohort Study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of the combination of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve blocks (LFCNB) and iliohypogastric/ilioinguinal nerve blocks (IHINB) on postoperative pain and functional outcomes after total hip arthroplasty (THA) via the direct anterior approach (DAA).MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, patients undergoing THA via the DAA between January 2019 and November 2019 were stratified into two groups based on their date of admission. Sixty‐seven patients received LFCNB and IHINB along with periarticular infiltration analgesia (PIA) (nerve block group), and 75 patients received PIA alone (control group). The outcomes included postoperative morphine consumption, postoperative pain assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS), the QoR‐15 score, and functional recovery measured as quadriceps strength, time to first straight leg rise, daily ambulation distance, and duration of hospitalization. The Oxford hip score and the UCLA activity level rating were assessed at 1 and 3 months after surgery. In addition, postoperative complications were recorded. Patients were also compared based on the type of incision used during surgery (traditional longitudinal or “bikini” incision).ResultsPatients in the nerve block group showed significantly lower postoperative morphine consumption, lower resting VAS scores within 12 h postoperatively, lower VAS scores during motion within 24 h postoperatively, and better QoR‐15 scores on postoperative day 1. These patients also showed significantly better functional recovery during hospitalization. At 1‐month and 3‐month outpatient follow up, the two groups showed no significant differences in Oxford hip score or UCLA activity level rating. There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative complications. Similar results were observed when patients were stratified by type of incision, except that the duration of hospitalization was similar.ConclusionCompared to PIA alone, a combination of LFCNB and IHINB along with PIA can improve early pain relief, reduce morphine consumption, and accelerate functional recovery, without increasing complications after THA via the DAA.     

Ultrasound‐Assisted Precise In Situ Decompression for Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of locating the ulnar nerve compression sites and guiding the small incision so as to decompress the ulnar nerve in situ on the elbow by high‐frequency ultrasound before operation.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 56 patients who underwent ultrasound‐assisted in situ decompression for cubital tunnel syndrome from May 2018 to August 2019. The patients'' average age was 51.13 ± 7.35 years, mean duration of symptoms was 6.51 ± 1.96 months, and mean postoperative follow‐up was 6.07 ± 0.82 months. Nine patients had Dellon''s stage mild, 39 had stage moderate, and eight had stage severe. Ultrasound and electromyography were completed in all patients before operation. The presence of ulnar nerve compressive lesion, the specific location, and the reason and extent of compression were determined by ultrasound. A small incision in situ surgery was given to decompress the ulnar nerve according to the pre‐defined compressive sites.ResultsAll patients underwent in situ decompression. The compression sites around the elbow were as follows: two in the arcade of Struthers, one in the medial intermuscular septum, four in the anconeus epitrochlearis muscle, five beside the cyst of the proximal flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU), and the remaining 44 cases were all from the compression between Osborne''s ligament to the two heads of the FCU. The compression localizations diagnosed by ultrasound were confirmed by operations. Preoperative ultrasound confirmed no ulnar nerve subluxation in all cases. The postoperative outcomes were satisfactory. There was no recurrence or aggravation of symptoms in this group of patients according to the modified Bishop scoring system; results showed that 43 cases were excellent, 10 were good, and three were fair.ConclusionsHigh‐frequency ultrasound can accurately and comprehensively evaluate the ulnar nerve compression and the surrounding tissues, thus providing significant guidance for the precise minimally invasive treatment of ulnar nerve compression.     

Optimization of the future remnant liver: review of the current strategies in Europe

Liver resection still represent the treatment of choice for liver malignancies, but in some cases inadequate future remnant liver (FRL) can lead to post hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) that still represents the most common cause of death after hepatectomy. Several strategies in recent era have been developed in order to generate a compensatory hypertrophy of the FRL, reducing the risk of post hepatectomy liver failure. Portal vein embolization, portal vein ligation, and ALLPS are the most popular techniques historically adopted up to now. The liver venous deprivation and the radio-embolization are the most recent promising techniques. Despite even more precise tools to calculate the relationship among volume and function, such as scintigraphy with ^99mTc-mebrofenin (HBS), no consensus is still available to define which of the above mentioned augmentation strategy is more adequate in terms of kind of surgery, complexity of the pathology and quality of liver parenchyma. The aim of this article is to analyse these different strategies to achieve sufficient FRL.     

Successful management of severe manifestation bone cemented implantation syndrome during hemiarthroplasty surgery in patient with multiple comorbidities: A case report

IntroductionBone Cement Implantation Syndrome (BCIS) is a lethal condition with complex physiological changes after the insertion of Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) cement during intraoperative arthroplasty. Despite the etiology and the pathophysiology of BCIS has not been fully understood, several mechanisms have been discovered. Some clinical manifestations of BCIS are hypotension, hypoxemia, a decrease of consciousness, arrhythmia, pulmonary hypertension, and cardiac arrest.Presentation of caseA 67 years old woman underwent cemented hemiarthroplasty operation due to intertrochanteric fracture in her right femur. The hemodynamic was stable before and during operation, but suddenly the patient went into cardiac arrest as the cement inserted. Immediate resuscitation was performed successfully and stable hemodynamic was achieved.DiscussionSeveral risk factors including underlying cardiovascular disease, advanced age, osteoporosis (enlarged porous cavities increase the risk of emboli generation), fracture type, metastatic bone disease, femoral canal diameter of more than 21 mm, previously non-instrumented femoral canal, and patent foramen ovale (paradoxical embolus). Some studies have shown usage of H1 and H2 antagonists, methylprednisolone, inotropes, vasopressor, and some alterations in surgical technique, can prevent the progression of the BCIS. Communication between the orthopaedic surgeon and anesthesiologist and high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) will become a good basis in treating BCIS.ConclusionPreoperative optimization by increasing oxygen inspiration concentration, usage of inotropes and vasopressor, and avoiding intravascular volume depletion during operation is essential in cemented arthroplasty procedure. Both orthopaedic surgeon and anesthesiologist should recognize the clinical presentation of BCIS and well-prepared for the management of BCIS including any supportive measures.