Hybrid Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Introduction of a New Technique for Anatomic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Recently, anatomic or double-bundle reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) has been presented in an effort to more accurately restore the native anatomy. These techniques create 2 tunnels in both the femur and tibia to reproduce the bundles of the ACL. However, the increased number of tunnels, particularly on the femoral side, has raised some concerns among authors and surgeons. We describe a technique to reconstruct the 2 distinct bundles of the ACL by using a single femoral tunnel and 2 tibial tunnels, the “hybrid” ACL reconstruction. The femoral tunnel is drilled through an anteromedial arthroscopy portal, which allows placement in a more anatomic position. Fixation in the femur is achieved with a novel device that separates a soft-tissue graft into 2 independently functioning bundles. Once fixed in the femur, the anteromedial and posterolateral bundles of the graft are passed through respective tunnels at the anatomic footprint on the tibia. These bundles are independently tensioned, which creates a reconconstruction that is similar to the native ACL. The technique presented provides surgeons with an alternative to other double-bundle techniques involving 4 tunnels.     

Naphthalimido derivatives as antifolate thymidylate synthase inhibitors

A new series of N-(substituted)benzyl-1,8-naphthalimides 4, structurally related to the previously reported thymidylate synthase (TS) inhibitor naphthaleins 3, were synthesized and compounds tested for their inhibition of several species of TS. Moreover, their in vitro cytotoxicity together with antimycotic and antibacterial properties were assayed. While no activity was detected in the antibacterial tests, the m-nitro (4ae) and the p-nitro (4af) derivatives were found able to partially inhibit TS at low micromolar concentrations. Introduction of nitro or (substituted)-amino groups in position 4 of the naphthalic ring always led to less active compounds.