Simultaneous Traumatic Posterior Dislocation of Both Hips

Simultaneous traumatic posterior dislocation of both hips, uncomplicated by fracture, is an exceptionally rare entity. The authors could not find any record of a similar case in the world medical literature up till now, and are therefore reporting this case with special consideration of the mechanism of injury and the management.     

Metastasis-associated S100A4 (Mts1) protein is expressed in subpopulations of sensory and autonomic neurons and in Schwann cells of the adult rat

S100A4 (Mts1) is a member of a family of calcium-binding proteins of the EF-hand type, which are widely expressed in the nervous system, where they appear to be involved in the regulation of neuron survival, plasticity, and response to injury or disease. S100A4 has previously been demonstrated in astrocytes of the white matter and rostral migratory stream of the adult rat. After injury, S100A4 is markedly up-regulated in affected central nervous white matter areas as well as in the periventricular area and rostral migratory stream. Here, we show that S100A4 is expressed in a subpopulation of dorsal root, trigeminal, geniculate, and nodose ganglion cells; in a subpopulation of postganglionic sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons; in chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla; and in satellite and Schwann cells. In dorsal root ganglia, S100A4-positive cells appear to constitute a subpopulation of small ganglion neurons, a few of which coexpressed calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin (GSA) isolectin B4 (B4). S100A4 protein appears to be transported from dorsal root ganglia to the spinal cord, where it is deposited in the tract of Lissauer. After peripheral nerve or dorsal root injury, a few S100A4-positive cells coexpress CGRP, GSA, or galanin. Peripheral nerve or dorsal root injury induces a marked up-regulation of S100A4 expression in satellite cells in the ganglion and in Schwann cells at the injury site and in the distal stump. This pattern of distribution partially overlaps that of the previously studied S100B and S100A6 proteins, indicating a possible functional cooperation between these proteins. The presence of S100A4 in sensory neurons, including their processes in the central nervous system, suggests that S100A4 is involved in propagation of sensory impulses in specific fiber types.     

The effects of bilateral caudal epidural S2–4 neuromodulation on female sexual function

This is a pilot study to evaluate the effects of caudal epidural S2–4 neuromodulation on female sexual function in a population of women with voiding dysfunction. We prospectively studied 36 consecutive female patients who underwent caudal epidural sacral neuromodulation. Patients received the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. Six months after permanent implantation, the overall score on the FSFI improved by 52% (p = 0.05). Results were better in patients who underwent the treatment for voiding dysfunction compared to those who had pain as their primary complaint. In this group, the overall score improved by 157% (p = 0.004). Stimulation of S2–4 by bilateral caudal epidural neuromodulation in this small group of women with voiding dysfunction, retention, and/or pelvic pain resulted in self-reported improvements in sexual function. Further studies are needed to evaluate the potential role of S2–4 sacral stimulation in the treatment of female sexual dysfunction.     

Agents capable of eliminating reactive oxygen species

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical, and hypochlorous acid have been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammation and tissue injury in colitis. To determine whether or not anti-ROS agents can decrease the severity of colitis, we evaluated the effects of three known anti-ROS agents: catalase, WR-2721, and Cu(II)₂(3,5-DIPS)₄ on acetic acid-induced colonic inflammation in rats. Histologically, all three compounds significantly decreased the severity of colonic inflammation. The anti-ROS activity of these compounds was also tested using the luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence assay. Catalase, WR-2721, or Cu(II)₂(3,5-DIPS)₄ significantly inhibited luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence produced by inflamed colonic mucosa. These findings suggest that ROS, and in particular superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and/or one of its secondarily derived species, may play an important role in acetic acid-induced colitis. Further studies are needed to determine the potential effectiveness of these compounds in human colitis.     

A comparison between the effect of bathing in a tub with and without swaddle on behavioral responses to stress in premature infants

The purpose of the present study was to compare the effect two bathing methods, bathing in a tub with and without swaddle, on the behavioral responses to stress in premature infants who were hospitalized in the NICU. In this study of clinical trial, the mean behavioral stress score for infants who were given a bath in the tub without swaddle (56.84 ± 21.79) was significantly more than the one for the infants who received a swaddle bath (17.12 ± 7.67) (P < 0.001). The infants’ crying time in the group without swaddle (15.57 s) was longer than the group with swaddle (5 s) (P < 0.001). The mean score for sudden twitches was 0.90 in infants bathed without swaddle and 0.18 in infants bathed with swaddle (P < 0.001). In this study, swaddle bathing caused fewer behavioral responses to stress in premature infants. Therefore, applying this method can improve the quality of care delivered to these infants in the NICU.     

Heat induction in two-dimensional graphene–Fe3O4 nanohybrids for magnetic hyperthermia applications with artificial neural network modeling

We report the synthesis and characterization of graphene functionalized with iron (Fe³⁺) oxide (G-Fe₃O₄) nanohybrids for radio-frequency magnetic hyperthermia application. We adopted the wet chemical procedure, using various contents of Fe₃O₄ (magnetite) from 0–100% for making two-dimensional graphene–Fe₃O₄ nanohybrids. The homogeneous dispersal of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles decorated on the graphene surface combined with their biocompatibility and high thermal conductivity make them an excellent material for magnetic hyperthermia. The morphological and magnetic properties of the nanohybrids were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), respectively. The smart magnetic platforms were exposed to an alternating current (AC) magnetic field of 633 kHz and of strength 9.1 mT for studying their hyperthermic performance. The localized antitumor effects were investigated with artificial neural network modeling. A neural net time-series model was developed for the assessment of the best nanohybrid composition to serve the purpose with an accuracy close to 100%. Six Nonlinear Autoregressive with External Input (NARX) models were obtained, one for each of the components. The assessment of the accuracy of the predicted results has been done on the basis of Mean Squared Error (MSE). The highest Mean Squared Error value was obtained for the nanohybrid containing 45% magnetite and 55% graphene (F₄₅G₅₅) in the training phase i.e., 0.44703, which is where the model achieved optimal results after 71 epochs. The F₄₅G₅₅ nanohybrid was found to be the best for hyperthermia applications in low dosage with the highest specific absorption rate (SAR) and mean squared error values.

Synthesis of Fe₃O₄–graphene (FG) nanohybrids and magnetothermal measurements of F_xG_100–x (x = 0, 25, 45, 65, 75, 85, 100) nanohybrids (25 mg each) at a 633 kHz alternating magnetic field of strength 9.1 mT.     

Nitric oxide deficiency and increased adenosine response of afferent arterioles in hydronephrotic mice with hypertension

Afferent arterioles were used to investigate the role of adenosine, angiotensin II, NO, and reactive oxygen species in the pathogenesis of increased tubuloglomerular feedback response in hydronephrosis. Hydronephrosis was induced in wild-type mice, superoxide dismutase-1 overexpressed mice (superoxide-dismutase-1 transgenic), and deficient mice (superoxide dismutase-1 knockout). Isotonic contractions in isolated perfused arterioles and mRNA expression of NO synthase isoforms, adenosine, and angiotensin II receptors were measured. In wild-type mice, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) did not change the basal arteriolar diameter of hydronephrotic kidneys (-6%) but reduced it in control (-12%) and contralateral arterioles (-43%). Angiotensin II mediated a weaker maximum contraction of hydronephrotic arterioles (-18%) than in control (-42%) and contralateral arterioles (-49%). The maximum adenosine-induced constriction was stronger in hydronephrotic (-19%) compared with control (-8%) and contralateral kidneys (+/-0%). The response to angiotensin II became stronger in the presence of adenosine in hydronephrotic kidneys and attenuated in contralateral arterioles. L-NAME increased angiotensin II responses of all of the groups but less in hydronephrotic kidneys. The mRNA expression of endothelial NO synthase and inducible NO synthase was upregulated in the hydronephrotic arterioles. No differences were found for adenosine or angiotensin II receptors. In superoxide dismutase-1 transgenic mice, strong but similar L-NAME response (-40%) was observed for all of the groups. This response was totally abolished in arterioles of hydronephrotic superoxide dismutase-1 knockout mice. In conclusion, hydronephrosis is associated with changes in the arteriolar reactivity of both hydronephrotic and contralateral kidneys. Increased oxidative stress, reduced NO availability, and stronger reactivity to adenosine of the hydronephrotic kidney may contribute to the enhanced tubuloglomerular feedback responsiveness in hydronephrosis and be involved in the development of hypertension.     

Treatment choice, duration, and cost in patients with interstitial cystitis and painful bladder syndrome

Introduction and hypothesis  

In order to better understand provider treatment patterns for interstitial cystitis (IC)/painful bladder syndrome, we sought to document the therapies utilized and their associated expenditures using a national dataset.     

Evaluation of immunotoxicity induced by diazinon in C57bl/6 mice

Diazinon (DZN), an organophosphate insecticide, has been used in agriculture for several years. It is possible the residue of this compound to be recycled in the biological system. There is no report on DZN immunotoxicity potential. In the present study, we examined the immunotoxic effects of intraperitoneally administered DZN in the C57bl/6 female mice. Diazinon was administered at doses of 25, 2, and 0.2 mg/kg for 28 days (five injections per week). Animals were then sacrificed to observe the cellularity or histopathological changes in thymus, spleen, bone marrow, and peripheral blood. Furthermore, humoral and cellular functional responses such as Hemagglutination titration (HA), IgM-Plaque Forming Colony Assay (PFC), Delayed-Type-Hypersensitivity (DTH) to SRBC, and T cell subtyping (CD4/CD8) were determined. The results showed that DZN at 25 mg/kg not only could produce gross histopathological changes in thymus and spleen but also could suppress both humoral and cellular activity of the immune system. At lower doses (0.2 and 2 mg/kg) there were no observable alteration in cellularity or histology of immune tissues. However, DZN at medium dose (2 mg/kg per day) could inhibit RBC-cholinesterase and showed a mild decrease (P < 0.1) in thymus/body-weight ratio and DTH response. At dose of 0.2 mg/kg no histopathological or functional disturbances were detectable. These results indicate that DZN has immunosuppressive effects in the C57bl/6 mice at doses more than 2 mg/kg. The present results however indicate that under recommended Allowed Daily Intake (ADI) limit (<0.02 mg/kg), no observable immunotoxicity effect is expected.