Regurgitations in a Lamb with Acute Coenurosis-A case Report

Coenurosis is a disease of the central nervous system in sheep, caused by Coenurus cerebralis, the larval stage of Multiceps multiceps, which inhabits the small intestine of Canidae. A case of regurgitations in a 2.5 month old lamb with acute coenurosis is being reported. The lamb was presented with a sudden onset of ataxia and regurgitations for 10 days. The post-mortem examination revealed 4 immature C. cerebralis cysts between 0.5 and 1.5 cm in diameter located in the brainstem and cerebellum, and histopathological examination revealed multifocal pyogranulomatous meningoencephalitis, so a diagnosis of acute coenurosis was established. Thus, acute coenurosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of regurgitations in lambs.     

Rapid computational cell-rotation around arbitrary axes in 3D with multi-core fiber

Optical trapping is a vital tool in biology, allowing precise optical manipulation of nanoparticles, micro-robots, and cells. Due to the low risk of photodamage and high trap stiffness, fiber-based dual-beam traps are widely used for optical manipulation of large cells. Besides trapping, advanced applications like 3D refractive index tomography need a rotation of cells, which requires precise control of the forces, for example, the acting-point of the forces and the intensities in the region of interest (ROI). A precise rotation of large cells in 3D about arbitrary axes has not been reported yet in dual-beam traps. We introduce a novel dual-beam optical trap in which a multi-core fiber (MCF) is transformed to a phased array, using wavefront shaping and computationally programmable light. The light-field distribution in the trapping region is holographically controlled within 0.1 s, which determines the orientation and the rotation axis of the cell with small retardation. We demonstrate real-time controlled rotation of HL60 cells about all 3D axes with a very high degree of freedom by holographic controlled light through an MCF with a resolution close to the diffraction limit. For the first time, the orientation of the cell can be precisely controlled about all 3D axes in a dual-beam trap. MCFs provide much higher flexibility beyond the bulky optics, enabling lab-on-a-chip applications and can be easily integrated for applications like contactless cell surgery, refractive index tomography, cell-elasticity measurement, which require precise 3D manipulation of cells.     

Endovascular reconstruction of extracranial traumatic internal carotid artery dissections: a systematic review

Neurosurgical Review - Extracranial internal carotid artery dissection (ICAD) is a potential source of morbidity and mortality in trauma patients and requires high degree of suspicion for diagnosis...     

LigaSure versus clamp-and-tie thyroidectomy for benign nodular disease

BACKGROUND: LigaSure is an alternative bipolar diathermy system (BDS) combining vessel sealing with reduced thermal spread, which has been successfully used in many abdominal operations; however, there is a little experience in open thyroidectomy. This study compares the efficacy and the advantages of the LigaSure BDS when used for total thyroidectomy for benign thyroid disease with the conventional clamp-and-tie technique. METHODS: Between May 1998 and October 2002, 517 patients underwent total thyroidectomy for benign thyroid multinodular goiter. Among them, from May 1998 until May 2000, 247 patients (group I) were operated on with the conventional clamp-and-tie technique, whereas from May 2000 until October 2003, 270 patients (group II) underwent total thyroidectomy for benign multinodular goiter with LigaSure BDS through a 4-cm transverse suprasternal incision. Demographics, pathologic characteristics, gland mass, operative time, blood loss, and complications were assessed. RESULTS: There were no intraoperative complications. Thyroid mass was similar in both groups, but the operative time was shorter in group II than in group I (mean +/- standard deviation, 71 +/- 14 minutes vs 86 +/- 22 minutes; p < .01). Intraoperative total blood loss was similar between the two groups, but postoperative drain volume was less in group II than in group I (21 +/- 15 mL; p < .01). Major post-thyroidectomy complications (ie, laryngeal nerve palsy, hematoma, and hypocalcemia) occurred less frequently in the LigaSure group than in the clamp-and-tie group (0.7%, 0.4%, 1.1% vs 4%, 2%, 4.8%, respectively; p < .05). The mean +/- standard deviation postoperative hospital stay was significantly less for the patients in group II than for those in group I (2.3 +/- 1.7 days vs 2.8 +/- 1.3 days; p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of the LigaSure vessel sealer for thyroid surgery is an effective and safe alternative that reduces the overall operative time and could be successfully applied through a narrow surgical incision.     

cis-Clerodane type diterpenes from Cistus monspeliensis

The aerial parts of Cistus monspeliensis yielded 11 cis-clerodane type diterpenes. Five of these, 3, 4, 8,9, and 10, are new compounds. Their structures have been elucidated on the basis of their spectral data (FABMS, 1D and 2D NMR).     

Restoration of shoulder abduction function by direct muscular neurotization with the phrenic nerve fascicles and nerve grafts: A case report

In this report, we describe the first case of using the partial phrenic nerve transfer and direct muscular implantation into the deltoid muscle for restoration of the shoulder function and stability. A patient suffering from the partial brachial plexus injury with absent axillary nerve underwent reconstructive surgery by an end‐to‐end nerve coaptation using two fascicles of the phrenic nerve and two autologous nerve grafts, and direct implantation of nerve grafts into the deltoid muscle. Eighteen months after the procedure, we found a functioning biceps with 90° elbow flexion against gravity and 40° shoulder abduction with satisfactory shoulder stability. Electrophysiology revealed reinnervation potentials in the deltoid and biceps muscle. This case demonstrates a satisfactory result after using transfer of the partial ipsilateral phrenic nerve in combination with muscular implantation to restore shoulder abduction and stability. We recommend the described techniques in cases without other reconstructive options. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2009.     

Caloric restriction and lifespan: a role for protein turnover?

Oxidative damage to cellular macromolecules has been postulated to be a major contributor to the ageing of diverse organisms. Oxidative damage can be limited by maintaining high anti-oxidant defenses and by clearing/repairing damage efficiently. Protein turnover is one of the main routes by which functional proteins are maintained and damaged proteins are removed. Protein turnover rates decline with age, which might contribute to the accumulation of damaged proteins in ageing cells. Interestingly, protein turnover rates are maintained at high levels in caloric restricted animals. Whether changes in protein turnover are a cause or a consequence of ageing is not clear, and this question has not been a focal point of modern ageing research. Here we survey work on protein turnover and ageing and suggest that powerful genetic models such as the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans are well suited for a thorough investigation of this long-standing question.     

Brachial plexus lesions: 10 years of experience in a center for microsurgery in Germany

Aim: Brachial plexus lesions are commonly associated with complete or partial plegia of affected muscles even after microsurgical treatment. This study provides an overview of strategies and outcomes of 42 patients operated in a center for peripheral nerve surgery in Germany. Methods: Postsurgically, the patients were followed up and examined for strength in various muscle groups by applying a standard clinical classification (M0–M5). Sensitivity was estimated by differentiation between blunt and sharp touch. The patients were asked via questionnaire about their postsurgical daily life. Most of the patients received a grafting procedure using the sural nerve. Different microsurgical techniques were applied according to the underlying pathology: Intercostal nerve transfer, end‐to‐side coaptation, and direct grafting to different recipient nerves. Results: Only the 27 patients, who had a follow‐up time of at least 36 months, presented a measurable function in the affected extremity. Elbow‐flexion was restored in 15 cases. Triceps function was reconstructed in 7 patients of 27. One patient was able to move digits toward the palm without completing a full fist. Ten patients were able to flex the wrist and 4 could extend it. Conclusion: The results were estimated as acceptable for biceps reconstruction but poor for the other muscle groups. Some treatment strategies, which are presently under frequent discussion (contralateral C7‐transfer, banked autografts, Oberlin procedure), were not applied. However, some of these techniques may provide a key to improve the results. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2009.