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Small (Weinheim An Der Bergstrasse,... Jun 2024Soft and stretchable nanocomposites can match the mechanical properties of neural tissue, thereby minimizing foreign body reactions to provide optimal stimulation and...
Soft and stretchable nanocomposites can match the mechanical properties of neural tissue, thereby minimizing foreign body reactions to provide optimal stimulation and recording specificity. Soft materials for neural interfaces should simultaneously fulfill a wide range of requirements, including low Young's modulus (<<1 MPa), stretchability (≥30%), high conductivity (>> 1000 S cm), biocompatibility, and chronic stability (>> 1 year). Current nanocomposites do not fulfill the above requirements, in particular not the combination of softness and high conductivity. Here, this challenge is addressed by developing a scalable and robust synthesis route based on polymeric reducing agents for smooth, high-aspect ratio gold nanowires (AuNWs) of controllable dimensions with excellent biocompatibility. AuNW-silicone composites show outstanding performance with nerve-like softness (250 kPa), high conductivity (16 000 S cm), and reversible stretchability. Soft multielectrode cuffs based on the composite achieve selective functional stimulation, recordings of sensory stimuli in rat sciatic nerves, and show an accelerated lifetime stability of >3 years. The scalable synthesis method provides a chemically stable alternative to the widely used AgNWs, thereby enabling new applications within electronics, biomedical devices, and electrochemistry.
PubMed: 38944890
DOI: 10.1002/smll.202402214 -
Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver... Jun 2024Ultra-microangiography (UMA) is a novel Doppler technique with optimized wall filtering that provides high sensitivity to low-velocity blood flows and optimized... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Ultra-microangiography (UMA) is a novel Doppler technique with optimized wall filtering that provides high sensitivity to low-velocity blood flows and optimized visualization of microcirculation. The aim of this pilot study was to compare intestinal vascularization assessed by color Doppler signals (CDS) and UMA.
METHODS
We investigated intestinal vascularization using UMA and CDS in 13 patients with confirmed inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A cohort of 28 patients without structural bowel disease served as the control.
RESULTS
Microcirculation and dysregulated microcirculation in patients without and with inflammatory bowel disease can be visualized and quantified using UMA. In 83 % of IBD patients and 76% of non-IBD patients, a high resolution of intestinal perfusion could be achieved using UMA.
CONCLUSIONS
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate intestinal vascularization using UMA in patients with and without structural bowel disease. Quantification and visualization of intestinal vascularization should be further investigated in prospective studies and could help guide our therapy of patients with IBD.
Topics: Humans; Pilot Projects; Microcirculation; Female; Male; Adult; Middle Aged; Intestines; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; Angiography; Aged; Young Adult; Predictive Value of Tests; Case-Control Studies
PubMed: 38944869
DOI: 10.15403/jgld-5495 -
World Journal of Surgery Jun 2024
PubMed: 38944810
DOI: 10.1002/wjs.12268 -
Mymensingh Medical Journal : MMJ Jul 2024Soft tissue injuries of the hand or forearm often results in exposure of tendon or bone which needs coverage with a suitable flap. This prospective observational study... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Soft tissue injuries of the hand or forearm often results in exposure of tendon or bone which needs coverage with a suitable flap. This prospective observational study was carried out in National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), Dhaka, Bangladesh from February 2019 to January 2020, to evaluate the use of the pedicled paraumbilical perforator flaps as a reliable flap to cover such defects. Total 34 patients having soft tissue defects in the hand and forearm with exposed tendons, bones or implant were included in this study. All the defects were covered by paraumbilical perforator flap. The defects were caused by road traffic accident (n=22), machinery injury (n=10) and burn injury (n=2). Sixteen patients had defects involving the forearm, six over dorsum of hand, another two over first web space and the rest had defects over two or more areas of forearm, hand and wrist. Lateral extent of flaps was upto anterior axillary line in 41.18% cases and upto mid-axillary line in 55.88% cases. Flap division and final inset was done in second stage after 3 weeks. Donor site closed primarily in all cases, except in two cases where it was covered by skin graft. All the flaps survived with no incidence of flap necrosis, dehiscence or infection after first stage. However, after the division of the flap, two patients developed marginal necrosis of the proximal margin which healed spontaneously by conservative treatment. The mean flap surface area utilized was 108 cm2. Donor area healed well without any major complications. Three patients developing scar hypertrophy were treated with intra-lesional triamcinolone injections. The paraumbilical perforator flap is a reliable option to cover soft tissue defects of hand and forearm due to easier planning and harvesting of the flap, adequate skin paddle and minimum donor site morbidity.
Topics: Humans; Perforator Flap; Male; Soft Tissue Injuries; Female; Adult; Prospective Studies; Hand Injuries; Middle Aged; Forearm; Adolescent; Forearm Injuries; Young Adult; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Child
PubMed: 38944720
DOI: No ID Found -
Mymensingh Medical Journal : MMJ Jul 2024Burns are very common and important injuries associated with epilepsy. Epileptics are afflicted with burns when they come in contact with fire or other burning agents... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Burns are very common and important injuries associated with epilepsy. Epileptics are afflicted with burns when they come in contact with fire or other burning agents while seizing, due to loss of consciousness. The aim of the study was to identify the causes of burn, pattern and characteristics of burn in patients with epilepsy, duration of hospital stay and pattern of treatment in these patients. This prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh from January 2022 to December 2023. Epileptics were found in 0.84% (n=19) of the total admission (2274) in Burn unit. Majority of the patients were females (84.2%) and the mean age was (31.42±1.32) years. Maximum patients were housewives (78.9%). Among 19 cases, 11 cases (57.89%) had history of irregularly taking antiepileptic drugs and 8 cases (42.11%) had no history of treatment for epilepsy. Two cases (10.53%) had history of previous burn injury. Flame burn was the major etiology (89.5%). Mean total burn surface area (TBSA) was (6.94±4.12%). Most patients had full thickness burns (63.2%). Regarding distribution of burn, maximum involvement was in upper limb i.e. 68.21% cases. Surgical treatment was needed in the majority of the patients (68.5%). Mean hospital stay of these patients was (5.36±2.26) weeks. Epilepsy patients whose seizures are inadequately controlled are at increased risks of injury, especially burn. For prevention of burn, epilepsy should be treated properly.
Topics: Humans; Female; Bangladesh; Male; Adult; Burns; Epilepsy; Prospective Studies; Length of Stay; Tertiary Care Centers; Young Adult; Middle Aged; Adolescent
PubMed: 38944708
DOI: No ID Found -
Medical Science Monitor : International... Jun 2024BACKGROUND Congenital hypoplasia of the thumb type IV, also known as floating thumb, is a condition in which 2 small phalanges are attached to the hand with a thin skin...
BACKGROUND Congenital hypoplasia of the thumb type IV, also known as floating thumb, is a condition in which 2 small phalanges are attached to the hand with a thin skin bridge. Surgical management options for this condition vary from amputation to flap reconstruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS This retrospective study analyzed 11 infants with congenital hypoplasia of the thumb type IV who underwent surgical reconstruction using a modified vascularized polydactylous hallux flap. The study included 6 male and 5 female infants, aged 6 to 24 months. Functional evaluations and radiographic studies were conducted postoperatively. RESULTS All 11 patients underwent the complete surgical protocol. Successful vascular and nerve anastomoses were performed during the initial procedure, ensuring sufficient blood supply and neural connectivity to the transferred toes. The second operation showed promising outcomes, including improvements in thumb opposition, grasp strength, and overall function. Postoperative assessments demonstrated satisfactory radiographic alignment and no major complications during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS The modified vascularized polydactylous hallux flap reconstruction is a viable surgical option for managing congenital hypoplasia of the thumb type IV in infants. This technique effectively restores thumb opposition, grasp strength, and overall hand function, with satisfactory radiographic alignment and minimal complications. The study findings support the efficacy and safety of this surgical approach in addressing this rare congenital anomaly.
Topics: Humans; Thumb; Male; Female; Retrospective Studies; Infant; Surgical Flaps; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Treatment Outcome; Child, Preschool; Radiography; Hand Strength; Hand Deformities; Hand Deformities, Congenital
PubMed: 38944680
DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943686 -
Neurotherapeutics : the Journal of the... Jun 2024Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique for modulating cortical activities and improving neural plasticity....
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique for modulating cortical activities and improving neural plasticity. Several studies investigated the effects of rTMS, etc., but the results are inconsistent. This study was designed to examine whether rTMS applied on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (l-DLPFC) showed an effect on improving cognitive deficits in SZ and whether the early efficacy could predict efficacy at subsequent follow-ups. Cognitive ability was assessed using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) scale at baseline, weeks 2, 6, and 24. We found a significant interaction between time (weeks 0, 2, 6, and 24) and intervention on immediate memory and RBANS total scores (p = 0.02 and p = 0.04), indicating that both 10-Hz and 20-Hz rTMS stimulations had a delayed beneficial effect on immediate memory in SZ. Moreover, we found that 20-Hz rTMS stimulation, but not 10-Hz rTMS improved immediate memory at week 6 compared to the sham group (p = 0.029). More importantly, improvements in immediate memory at week 2 were positively correlated with improvements at week 24 (β = 0.461, t = 3.322, p = 0.002). Our study suggests that active rTMS was beneficial for cognitive deficits in patients with SZ. Furthermore, efficacy at week 2 could predict the subsequent efficacy at 24-week follow-up.
PubMed: 38944636
DOI: 10.1016/j.neurot.2024.e00392 -
Lancet (London, England) Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Renal Cell; Kidney Neoplasms; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Purpura Fulminans; Male; Middle Aged; Female; Aged
PubMed: 38944528
DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01178-4 -
Advances in Pediatrics Aug 2024Patients with differences of sex development (DSDs) have complex anatomy and surgical needs related to both Mullerian and non-Mullerian structures. Approaches to vaginal... (Review)
Review
Patients with differences of sex development (DSDs) have complex anatomy and surgical needs related to both Mullerian and non-Mullerian structures. Approaches to vaginal reconstruction for these conditions are guided by individual anatomy, with the goal of establishing unobstructed outflow for the reproductive, urinary, and gastrointestinal tracts. Patients may have anatomy requiring vaginoplasty for either outflow tract obstruction or chosen sexual function. In this article, the authors focus on management of differences in vaginal anatomy with delayed vaginoplasty for the newborn with DSD.
Topics: Humans; Female; Disorders of Sex Development; Vagina; Infant, Newborn; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Male
PubMed: 38944480
DOI: 10.1016/j.yapd.2024.04.002 -
Comparative Biochemistry and... Jun 2024Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is the most commonly preferred synthetic organic chemical in plastics and its products for making them ductile, flexible and durable. As...
Concerted monoamine oxidase activity following exposure to di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate is associated with aggressive neurobehavioral response and neurodegeneration in zebrafish brain.
Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is the most commonly preferred synthetic organic chemical in plastics and its products for making them ductile, flexible and durable. As DEHP is not chemically bound to the macromolecular polymer of plastics, it can be easily leached out to accumulate in food and environment. Our recent report advocated that exposure to DEHP significantly transformed the innate bottom-dwelling and scototaxis behaviour of zebrafish. Our present study aimed to understand the possible role of DEHP exposure pertaining towards the development of aggressive behaviour and its association with amplified monoamine oxidase activity and neurodegeneration in the zebrafish brain. As heightened monoamine oxidase (MAO) is linked with genesis of aggressive behaviour, our observation also coincides with DEHP-persuaded aggressive neurobehavioral transformation in zebrafish. Our preliminary findings also showed that DEHP epitomized as a prime factor in transforming native explorative behaviour and genesis of aggressive behaviour through oxidative stress induction and changes in the neuromorphology in the periventricular grey zone (PGZ) of the zebrafish brain. With the finding demarcating towards heightened chromatin condensation in the PGZ of zebrafish brain, our further observation by immunohistochemistry showed a profound augmentation in apoptotic cell death marker cleaved caspase 3 (CC3) expression following exposure to DEHP. Our further observation by immunoblotting study also demarcated a temporal augmentation in CC3 and tyrosine hydroxylase expression in the zebrafish brain. Therefore, the gross findings of the present study delineate the idea that chronic exposure to DEHP is associated with MAO-instigated aggressive neurobehavioral transformation and neurodegeneration in the zebrafish brain.
PubMed: 38944366
DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2024.109970