The acetabular wall index for assessing anteroposterior femoral head coverage in symptomatic patients

Understanding acetabular pathomorphology is necessary to correctly treat patients with hip complaints. Existing radiographic parameters classify acetabular coverage as deficient, normal, or excessive but fail to quantify contributions of anterior and posterior wall coverage. A simple, reproducible, and valid measurement of anterior and posterior wall coverage in patients with hip pain would be a clinically useful tool.

Cell-specific expression of human HGF by alveolar type II cells induces remodeling of septal wall tissue in the lung: a morphometric study

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is involved in development and regeneration of the lungs. Human HGF, which was expressed specifically by alveolar epithelial type II cells after gene transfer, attenuated the bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in an animal model. As there are also regions that appear morphologically unaffected in fibrosis, the effects of this gene transfer to normal lungs is of interest. In vitro studies showed that HGF inhibits the formation of the basal lamina by cultured alveolar epithelial cells. Thus we hypothesized that, in the healthy lung, cell-specific expression of HGF induces a remodeling within septal walls. Electroporation of a plasmid of human HGF gene controlled by the surfactant protein C promoter was applied for targeted gene transfer. Using design-based stereology at light and electron microscopic level, structural alterations were analyzed and compared with a control group. HGF gene transfer increased the volume of distal air spaces, as well as the surface area of the alveolar epithelium. The volume of septal walls, as well as the number of alveoli, was unchanged. Volumes per lung of collagen and elastic fibers were unaltered, but a marked reduction of the volume of residual extracellular matrix (all components other than collagen and elastic fibers) and interstitial cells was found. A correlation between the volumes of residual extracellular matrix and distal air spaces, as well as total surface area of alveolar epithelium, could be established. Cell-specific expression of HGF leads to a remodeling of the connective tissue within the septal walls in the healthy lung, which is associated with more pronounced stretching of distal air spaces at a given hydrostatic pressure during instillation fixation.

Molecular characterization of Neospora caninum MAG1, a dense granule protein secreted into the parasitophorous vacuole, and associated with the cyst wall and the cyst matrix

SUMMARY: In Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii, the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) is synthesized at the time of infection. During tachyzoite-to-bradyzoite stage conversion, the PV is later transformed into a tissue cyst that allows parasites to survive in their host for extended periods of time. We report on the characterization of NcMAG1, the N. caninum orthologue of T. gondii MAG1 (matrix antigen 1; TgMAG1). The 456 amino acid predicted NcMAG1 protein is 54% identical to TgMAG1. By immunoblotting, a rabbit antiserum raised against recombinant NcMAG1 detected a major product of approximately 67 kDa in extracts of N. caninum tachyzoite-infected Vero cells, which was stained more prominently in extracts of infected Vero cells treated to induce in vitro bradyzoite conversion. Immunofluorescence and TEM localized the protein mainly within the cyst wall and the cyst matrix. In both tachyzoites and bradyzoites, NcMAG1 was associated with the parasite dense granules. Comparison between NcMAG1 and TgMAG1 amino acid sequences revealed that the C-terminal conserved regions exhibit 66% identity, while the N-terminal variable regions exhibit only 32% identity. Antibodies against NcMAG1-conserved region cross-reacted with the orthologuous protein in T. gondii but those against the variable region did not. This indicates that the variable region possesses unique antigenic characteristics.

Does bladder wall thickness decrease when obstruction is resolved?

The aim of the current study was to determine if sonographic bladder wall thickness diminishes after symptomatic obstruction is resolved in female patients after stress incontinence surgery.

An optimized in vitro model of the respiratory tract wall to study particle cell interactions

As a part of the respiratory tissue barrier, lung epithelial cells play an important role against the penetration of the body by inhaled particulate foreign materials. In most cell culture models, which are designed to study particle-cell interactions, the cells are immersed in medium. This does not reflect the physiological condition of lung epithelial cells which are exposed to air, separated from it only by a very thin liquid lining layer with a surfactant film at the air-liquid interface. In this study, A549 epithelial cells were grown on microporous membranes in a two chamber system. After the formation of a confluent monolayer the cells were exposed to air. The morphology of the cells and the expression of tight junction proteins were studied with confocal laser scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Air-exposed cells maintained monolayer structure for 2 days, expressed tight junctions and developed transepithelial electrical resistance. Surfactant was produced and released at the apical side of the air-exposed epithelial cells. In order to study particle-cell interactions fluorescent 1 microm polystyrene particles were sprayed over the epithelial surface. After 4 h, 8.8% of particles were found inside the epithelium. This fraction increased to 38% after 24 h. During all observations, particles were always found in the cells but never between them. In this study, we present an in vitro model of the respiratory tract wall consisting of air-exposed lung epithelial cells covered by a liquid lining layer with a surfactant film to study particle-cell interactions.

Transcatheter repair of iatrogenic left ventricular free-wall perforation

Left ventricular free-wall perforation can complicate catheter-based diagnostic or interventional procedures and may require immediate needle pericardiocentesis followed by surgical repair in about 20% of the cases. We describe the transcatheter closure of a left ventricular free-wall perforation as an option in the event of maintained access to the perforation site after defect creation.

Decreasing gut wall glucose as an early marker of impaired intestinal perfusion

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the microcirculatory and metabolic consequences of reduced mesenteric blood flow. DESIGN: Prospective, controlled animal study. SETTING: The surgical research unit of a university hospital. SUBJECTS: A total of 13 anesthetized and mechanically ventilated pigs. INTERVENTIONS: Pigs were subjected to stepwise mesenteric blood flow reduction (15% in each step, n = 8) or served as controls (n = 5). Superior mesenteric arterial blood flow was measured with ultrasonic transit time flowmetry, and mucosal and muscularis microcirculatory perfusion in the small bowel were each measured with three laser Doppler flow probes. Small-bowel intramucosal Pco2 was measured by tonometry, and glucose, lactate (L), and pyruvate (P) were measured by microdialysis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In control animals, superior mesenteric arterial blood flow, mucosal microcirculatory blood flow, intramucosal Pco2, and the lactate/pyruvate ratio remained unchanged. In both groups, mucosal blood flow was better preserved than muscularis blood flow. During stepwise mesenteric blood flow reduction, heterogeneous microcirculatory blood flow remained a prominent feature (coefficient of variation, approximately 45%). A 30% flow reduction from baseline was associated with a decrease in microdialysis glucose concentration from 2.37 (2.10-2.70) mmol/L to 0.57 (0.22-1.60) mmol/L (p < .05). After 75% flow reduction, the microdialysis lactate/pyruvate ratio increased from 8.6 (8.0-14.1) to 27.6 (15.5-37.4, p < .05), and arterial-intramucosal Pco2 gradients increased from 1.3 (0.4-3.5) kPa to 10.8 (8.0-16.0) kPa (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Blood flow redistribution and heterogeneous microcirculatory perfusion can explain apparently maintained regional oxidative metabolism during mesenteric hypoperfusion, despite local signs of anaerobic metabolism. Early decreasing glucose concentrations suggest that substrate supply may become crucial before oxygen consumption decreases.

Noninvasive monitoring of chest wall movement in infants using laser

Traditionally, non-invasive monitoring of tidal volume in infants has been performed using impedance plethysmography analyzed using a one or two compartment model. We developed a new laser system for use in infants, which measures antero-posterior movement of the chest wall during quiet sleep. In 24 unsedated or sedated infants (11 healthy, 13 with respiratory disease), we examined whether the analysis of thoracoabdominal movement based on a three compartment model could more accurately estimate tidal volume in comparison to V(T) measured at the mouth. Using five laser signals, chest wall movements were measured at the right and left, upper and lower ribcage and the abdomen. Within the tidal volume range from 4.6 to 135.7 ml, a three compartment model showed good short term repeatability and the best agreement with tidal volume measured at mouth (r(2) = 0.86) compared to that of a single compartment model (r(2) = 0.62, P < 0.0001) and a two compartment model (r(2) = 0.82, P < 0.01), particularly in the presence of respiratory disease. Three compartment modeling of a 5 laser thoracoabdominal monitoring permits more accurate estimates of tidal volume in infants and potentially of regional differences of chest wall displacement in future studies.

Lowered microvascular vessel wall oxygen consumption augments tissue pO2 during PgE1-induced vasodilation

Continuous infusion of intravenous prostaglandin E1 (PgE1, 2.5 mug/kg/min) was used to determine how vasodilation affects oxygen consumption of the microvascular wall and tissue pO(2) in the hamster window chamber model. While systemic measurements (mean arterial pressure and heart rate) and central blood gas measurements were not affected, PgE1 treatment caused arteriolar (64.6 +/- 25.1 microm) and venular diameter (71.9 +/- 29.5 microm) to rise to 1.15 +/- 0.21 and 1.06 +/- 0.19, respectively, relative to baseline. Arteriolar (3.2 x 10(-2) +/- 4.3 x 10(-2) nl/s) and venular flow (7.8 x 10(-3) +/- 1.1 x 10(-2)/s) increased to 1.65 +/- 0.93 and 1.32 +/- 0.72 relative to baseline. Interstitial tissue pO(2) was increased significantly from baseline (21 +/- 8 to 28 +/- 7 mmHg; P < 0.001). The arteriolar vessel wall gradient, a measure of oxygen consumption by the microvascular wall decreased from 20 +/- 6 to 16 +/- 3 mmHg (P < 0.001). The arteriolar vessel wall gradient, a measure of oxygen consumption by the vascular wall, decreased from 20 +/- 6 to 16 +/- 3 mmHg (P < 0.001). This reduction reflects a 20% decrease in oxygen consumption by the vessel wall and up to 50% when cylindrical geometry is considered. The venular vessel wall gradient decreased from 12 +/- 4 to 9 +/- 4 mmHg (P < 0.001). Thus PgE1-mediated vasodilation has a positive microvascular effect: enhancement of tissue perfusion by increasing flow and then augmentation of tissue oxygenation by reducing oxygen consumption by the microvascular wall.

The feasibility, efficacy and functional outcome of local anaesthetic repair of anterior and posterior vaginal wall prolapse

INTRODUCTION: Urogenital prolapse is a very common condition in women with a prevalence of 30%. If conservative therapy fails or is not desired by the patient, prolapse repair is usually performed under general or regional anaesthetic. The aim of the study was to evaluate feasibility, efficacy and functional outcome after fascial prolapse repairs under local anaesthetic (LA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between November 1999 and December 2000, 130 consecutive patients presenting with anterior or posterior prolapse or both were invited to have their procedure performed under LA. All patients with a symptomatic minimum stage II prolapse were included. Prior to surgery all women completed a standardized questionnaire examining the specific and non-specific symptoms of prolapse and their situation was classified using the ICS Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP-Q) system. Follow up was 30 months. Objective success was defined as a stage 1 or less and no symptoms of bulge, subjective success was defined as lack of specific or non-specific symptoms of prolapse. RESULTS: There were 128 patients who agreed to have their operations performed under LA: 68 in the anterior group, 52 in the posterior group and 8 with a combined anterior and posterior repair. Objective cure rate was 88% for posterior repair, 87% for anterior repair and 63% for combined repair. Success rates were no different in primary from recurrent cases. There were no intraoperative complications and operating time was 21 min (anterior repair) or 23 min (posterior repair). There was no de novo postoperative urinary or stool incontinence and all patients but two would have the operation performed again under the same circumstances. The two remaining refused due to embarrassment but for no other reason. CONCLUSION: Local anaesthetic prolapse repair is feasible and effective in middle term results. It is well accepted by the patients who benefit from less side effects and short hospital stay.

A study of the fate of the buccal wall of extraction sockets of teeth with prominent roots

The objective of this investigation was to determine the fate of thin buccal bone encasing the prominent roots of maxillary anterior teeth following extraction. Resorption of the buccal plate compromises the morphology of the localized edentulous ridge and makes it challenging to place an implant in the optimal position for prosthetic restoration. In addition, the use of Bio-Oss as a bone filler to maintain the form of the edentulous ridge was evaluated. Nine patients were selected for the extraction of 36 maxillary anterior teeth. Nineteen extraction sockets received Bio-Oss, and seventeen sockets received no osteogenic material. All sites were completely covered with soft tissue at the conclusion of surgery. Computerized tomographic scans were made immediately following extraction and then at 30 to 90 days after healing so as to assess the fate of the buccal plates and resultant form of the edentulous sites. The results were assessed by an independent radiologist, with a crest width of 6 mm regarded as sufficient to place an implant. Those sockets treated with Bio-Oss demonstrated a loss of less than 20% of the buccal plate in 15 of 19 test sites (79%). In contrast, 12 of 17 control sockets (71%) demonstrated a loss of more than 20% of the buccal plate. In conclusion, the Bio-Oss test sites outperformed the control sites by a significant margin. No investigator was able to predict which site would be successful without the grafting material even though all were experienced clinicians. This leads to the conclusion that a patient has a significant benefit from receiving grafting materials at the time of extraction.