Evaluation of flow hemodynamics by color-Doppler following two different brachial arterial repair techniques.

OBJECTIVES: We compared the clinical and hemodynamic results following surgical repair of traumatic brachial artery injury using two different techniques micro- and macrovascular repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 27 patients who had sustained penetrating, clean cut injuries of the brachial artery. Macrovascular techniques and a saphenous vein graft was used in 13 patients, while 14 patients were treated by primary microsurgical technique. Postoperatively, patients were followed for a mean of 26 months. All patients had color Doppler examination of the brachial artery, digital artery pressures and transcutaneous oxygen saturation determined. RESULTS: Clinical results based on distal pulses, Allens test and digital pressures were similar in the two groups. Color Doppler showed 8/13 anastomotic stenoses in macrovascular vein grafted repairs and 2/14 in microvascular repairs (p<0.05). The ratio of flow velocity proximal compared distal to the injury was significantly decreased in patients who had macrovascular repairs. CONCLUSION: Using ratio between proximal and distal site of anastomosis maximal peak systolic velocity as a objective color Doppler parameter, we were able to demonstrate differences in the hemodynamic status following macrovascular repair with vein grafts and microvascular primary repair. The results emphasize the importance of using a standard repair technique for similar injuries rather than the preference of the surgeon.     

Evaluation of pH and calcium ion release of Acroseal sealer in comparison with Apexit and Sealapex sealers.

OBJECTIVE: This is an in vitro assessment of pH level and calcium ion release exhibited by 3 calcium hydroxide-based root canal sealers-Sealapex, Apexit, and Acroseal. STUDY DESIGN: The materials were prepared according to the manufacturers' instructions and placed in 1 cm long and 4 mm diameter tubes. The tubes were then immersed in a glass flask containing 10 mL bidistilled water (n = 15), which was sealed and stored at 37 degrees C before the materials had set. The control group contained bidistilled water with empty tubes (n = 12). At predetermined time intervals (24 h, 96 h, and 7, 15, and 28 days) the pH of the bidistilled water was tested with a pH meter and for released calcium by using spectrophotometry. The data were statistically analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance for the comparison of the materials at each time point. If the difference was significant, individual comparisons were performed by Tukey multiple comparisons test (alpha = .05). RESULTS: Sealapex produced higher pH and released significantly higher calcium amounts than the other 2 sealers at all periods (P < .05). Apexit showed higher calcium release than Acroseal at the end of 15 days (P < .05). There was no significant difference in the pH between Apexit and Acroseal (P > .05). CONCLUSION: The new Acroseal sealer presented the least calcium ion release and pH than Sealapex and less calcium ion release than Apexit sealer.     

The protective effects of grape seed extract on MDA, AOPP, apoptosis and eNOS expression in testicular torsion: an experimental study

Objectives

Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) is a potent antioxidant and a free radical scavenger. This study was designed to determine whether GSPE could protect against dysfunction and oxidative stress induced by torsion–detorsion injury in rat testis.

Methods

A total of 45 male Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups: control group, sham group, torsion–detorsion (T/D) group, T/D + GSPE group, GSPE group. GSPE was administrated 100 mg/kg/day with oral gavage over seven days before torsion. Testicular torsion was performed for 2 h, and afterward, detorsion was performed for 2 h. The rats were decapitated under ketamine anesthesia, and their testes tissues were removed. Tissue malondialdehyde, advanced oxidation protein products levels, eNOS expression, apoptosis and histopathological damage scores were then compared.

Results

Testicular torsion–detorsion caused significant increases in malondialdehyde level, apoptosis and eNOS expression level and caused a significant decrease in advanced oxidation protein product levels and testicular spermatogenesis in ipsilateral testes. GSPE prevented the rise in malondialdehyde, apoptosis and eNOS expression and improved testicular morphology and Johnsen’s score.

Conclusions

As a result, testicular torsion gives rise to serious damage in testes and GSPE is a potent antioxidant agent in preventing testicular injury.     

Magnetic resonance imaging findings of intracranial hypotension

Neurological Sciences - This study aims to evaluate the differences in the sizes and configurations of various structures on brain MRIs of patients with intracranial hypotension (ICH) compared to...     

A bulldog clamp that was forgotten during a coronary artery bypass operation 8 years ago

Prevention of retained foreign bodies in the pericardial cavity is critical for patient safety. We report a patient with a bulldog clamp that was forgotten during a coronary artery bypass operation 8?years ago, which was detected by chance and removed.