Radiosensitization of human tumor cells with levamisole.

Levamisole in combination with radiation and chemotherapeutic agents is being studied in clinical trials. The mechanism of interaction of levamisole with these modalities is unknown. In order to determine if there is direct interaction between radiation and levamisole, a series of colony-formation assays was performed with the use of two human tumor cell lines. Cells were exposed to 0-10 Gy of radiation, with or without the addition of 0-1000 microM levamisole. Exposure to levamisole alone had no effect on cell survival; however, the combination of continuous exposure to levamisole at concentrations approaching 1000 microM and radiation revealed a potentiation of radiation-induced cell killing.     

Operative treatment of intertrochanteric hip fractures: an overview of modern advances and techniques

Hip fractures have been one of the most studied injury pattern in adults. The number of hip fractures is increasing exponentially; furthermore, the cost of treatment places great economic strain on society. There have been recent developments in hip-fracture treatment, particularly involving the intertrochanteric region, with emphasis on deformity prevention to try to optimize patient functional outcomes. In this article, we outline some of these developments with an emphasis on changes in implant design.     

Tumor vascular signals in renal masses: detection with Doppler US

The vascularity of 49 renal masses (26 malignant and 23 benign lesions) was investigated with duplex Doppler ultrasound. Doppler signals obtained at the margins of renal masses were defined as "tumor signals" when the Doppler-shifted frequency of the lesion exceeded the frequency shift in the ipsilateral main renal artery. These exceeded 2.5 kHz with a 3-MHz insonating frequency. Among the 26 renal masses that subsequently proved to be malignant, tumor signals were obtained in 15 of 18 (83%) untreated renal cell carcinomas, in three of four Wilms tumors, and in two patients with metastases to the kidney, but not in the one patient with lymphoma. None of the 23 benign renal masses demonstrated tumor signals. Tumor vascularity in malignant lesions gives rise to abnormal, high-velocity, Doppler-shifted signals that can help in the differential diagnosis of renal masses.     

胫骨外侧髁骨折塌陷对关节轴线及接触压力的影响

目的:研究在胫骨外侧髁骨折中关节面塌陷和外侧半月板切除对膝关节轴线、接触面积及压力的影响。方法:6个新鲜尸体膝关节标本制成胫骨外侧髁劈裂骨折模型,通过使用支撑垫片制成关节面塌陷0、1、2、4和6mm。膝关节在屈膝0°,负荷500N和屈膝30°,负荷350N。通过数码相机记录关节轴线的变化;而关节内外间隙的压力和压力扩散则由F-Scan感应器记录。每个标本在保留和切除外侧半月板下进行测试。结果:随着关节面塌陷高度的增加,膝关节外翻角度、外侧间隙的平均和最大的接触压力逐渐增加,而接触面积则逐渐减少。在屈膝0°,关节面塌陷6mm时,外翻角度平均增加7.6°,平均接触压力和最大接触压力分别增加208%和97%;而接触面积则减少33%。在同一关节面塌陷高度,切除半月板平均增加38%的外翻角度和外侧间隙45%的接触压力;而接触面积则减少26%。结论:研究结果表明在治疗胫骨外髁劈裂骨折中,减少关节面的塌陷十分重要,特别是在需切除半月板的时候。     

Detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis in human fragmented embryos

In human in-vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer, the in-vitro culture environment differs from in-vivo conditions in that the oxygen concentration is higher, and in such conditions the mouse embryos show a higher concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in simple culture media. ROS are believed to cause damage to cell membranes and DNA fragmentation in somatic cells. This study was conducted to ascertain the level of H2O2 concentration within embryos and the morphological features of cell damage induced by H2O2. A total of 62 human oocytes and embryos (31 fragmented, 15 non-fragmented embryos, 16 unfertilized oocytes) was obtained from the IVF-embryo transfer programme. The relative intensity of H2O2 concentrations within embryos was measured using 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate by Quanti cell 500 fluorescence imaging and DNA fragmentation was observed with transmission electron microscopy and an in-situ apoptosis detection kit. The H2O2 concentrations were significantly higher in fragmented embryos (72.21 +/- 9.62, mean +/- SEM) compared to non-fragmented embryos (31.30 +/- 3.50, P < 0.05) and unfertilized oocytes (30.75 +/- 2.67, P < 0.05). Apoptosis was observed only in fragmented embryos, and was absent in non-fragmented embryos. Electron microscopic findings confirmed apoptotic bodies and cytoplasmic condensation in the fragmented blastomeres. We conclude that there is a direct relationship between increased H2O2 concentration and apoptosis, and that further studies should be undertaken to confirm these findings.      

Tibial Plateau Fractures: Evaluation and Treatment

The goal of tibial plateau fracture management is a stable, well-aligned, congruent joint, with a painless range of motion and function. Minimally displaced stable fractures should be treated with protected mobilization. The treatment of displaced tibial plateau fractures, however, remains controversial. Surgical reduction and stabilization of displaced tibial plateau fractures, when indicated, requires careful evaluation of both the "personality" of the fracture and the soft-tissue envelope. The timing of surgery and the handling of the soft tissue in this region are critical to treatment success. After restoration of a congruent joint surface, bone grafting and buttress plating are usually needed to allow early range of motion and optimize treatment outcome.