bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of two‐point discrimination testing devices
Authors: Crosby Page M. , Lee Dellon A. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIn order to provide hand therapists and physicians with information regarding instruments for testing two‐point discrimination we evaluated 20 noninjured and 18 nerve‐injured patients using the three‐prong Aesthesiometer™, a paper clip, and a Disk‐Criminator™. Two‐point discrimination was tested by means of a randomized order for the two different discrimination tests and the three different testing devices. The measurement for either moving or static two‐point discrimination, when obtained with the three‐prong Aesthesiometer™, was consistently less sensitive than with the Disk‐Criminator™, and the correlation coefficient was the least between these two testing devices. The Disk‐Criminator™ measurement had the smallest standard deviation among the three testing devices. In terms of desirability of the testing device tip geometry, translation of interprong distance to numerical rating scale, and facility of alternating between one‐ and two‐prong testing techniques, the paper clip was judged to be the least favorable and the Disk‐Criminator™ to be the most favorable test device.
Interpretation of cutaneous pressure threshold (Semmes‐Weinstein monofilament measurement) following median nerve repair and sensory reeducation in the adult
Authors: Imai Haruo , Tajima Tatsuya , Natsuma Yaemi 
Published: March 2007

AbstractSemmes‐Weinstein nylon monofilaments are used to evaluate recovery of cutaneous pressure threshold in adults recovering from median nerve repair at the wrist level. Of the 46 patients studied, 22 received a program of sensory reeducation. The nylon monofilament measurements accurately described the improvement in recovered sensation following nerve repair. There was a statistically significant better recovery (lower threshold) in patients receiving sensory reeducation, which was present in those less than 30 years old (P <.003) as well as those greater than 30 years old (P <.05). However, normal thresholds were not recovered in these patient populations.
Results of median nerve repair in children
Authors: Tajima Tatsuya , Imai Haruo 
Published: March 2007

AbstractSeven children ranging in age from 1 to 13 years (mean 8 years) were evaluated at a range of B months to 15 years (mean 4.7 years) following group fascicular repair of the median nerve at the wrist following a sharp transection of the nerve. At the follow‐up evaluation, they were measured with Semmes‐Weinstein nylon monofilaments, moving and static two‐point discrimination, and were judged for the presence or absence of paresthesias in their hands. The children did not receive sensory reeducation in the postoperative period. All children recovered to normal levels of moving and static two‐point discrimination and were free from disabling paresthesias. These results are contrasted with a group of similar nerve injuries in adult patients treated in the same way and over the same period of time. It is concluded that the capacity for peripheral neural regeneration and cerebral plasticity in children is such that excellent recovery of functional sensation in the hand can occur without the need for sensory reeducation.
Use of prolonged sympathetic blockade as an adjunct to surgery in the patient with sympathetic maintained pain
Authors: Hobelmann Charles F. , Lee Dellon A. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractTwenty patients with sympathetic maintained pain (SMP) underwent surgery to treat an associated nerve injury. In each patient, an axillary catheter technique was used to maintain anesthesia and sympatholysis for up to 4 days following surgery. In no instance was the SMP exacerbated by the operation. The use of prolonged sympathetic blockade as an adjunct increases the margin of safety in surgery for these patients when nonoperative measures cannot relieve the pain or restore function.
The free fascial forearm flap
Authors: Ahmed Taher Ismail , Ismail Ahmed 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe unpleasant appearance of the donor site after harvesting a forearm flap limits its use in many centers. In this paper, the author records his experience with a modification of the standard fasciocutaneous forearm flap. Such modification involves the utilization of the fascial component of the flap sparing the skin of the forearm, which is closed as a longitudinal line. This fascial forearm flap (FFF) was used as a free flap in eight cases. All the flaps survived well, and the donor site appearance was excellent. The fascial forearm flap advantages and limitations are discussed with recommendations for further utilization of other fascial flaps.
Laser doppler monitoring of replants using a small prism probe
Authors: Lowdon Ian M. R. , Bruce Toby E. , Ecker Jeff , Seaber Anthony V. , Urbaniak James R. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractEighteen patients admitted to Duke University Medical Center for upper limb replantation or revascularization were studied. A small laser Doppler flow prism probe and a cutaneous temperature probe were attached to the distal pulp of replanted digits. Measurements were recorded hourly for the first 3 postoperative days. In the successful cases, the mean laser Doppler flow measurement was 1.76 units (lower 97% confidence limit 0.5 units) and the mean temperature was 34.1M‐0C (lower 97% confidence limit 32M‐0C). In 4 patients with vascular compromise, the laser Doppler flow correctly identified the problem. The reduced size of the new laser Doppler probe makes monitoring of distal pulp flow technically easier while maintaining accuracy.
Experimental study on the behavior of a transplanted vascular pedicle
Authors: Hung L. K. , Leung P. C. , Cheng G. L. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe transparent chamber technique of the hamster cheek pouch was utilized to observe the behavior of a transplanted vascular pedicle within a relatively adverse environment. Observations included direct visualization with intravital microscopy, histology, scanning electron microscopy, and alkaline phosphatase staining for vascular endothelium. The results supported the phenomenon of vascular sprouting from the transplanted vascular pedicle.
Comparative functional study of dexon and nylon microsutures in rat uterine anastomoses
Authors: D'silva Milbhor , Durfee Raphael , Wolf Paul , Lee Sun 
Published: March 2007

AbstractForty‐two female Wistar rats were used in a long‐term study designed to evaluate the functional sequelae of employing 10‐0 Dexon “S” and nylon microsutures in uterine anastomoses. Functional criteria used were the number of fetuses and live births, during and after pregnancy, respectively. Results indicate that the rats from both control and experimental groups were likely to have identical litter sizes for the first 3 deliveries (P > 0.01). An unexplained observation was the finding of a larger litter size for the experimental group rats at the fourth delivery as compared to its control counterpart (P < 0.01). Also explicit is the propensity for the right uterine horn to bear a larger number of fetuses than its counterpart (P < 0.01). Finally, neither suture was associated with a larger number of fetuses (P > 0.01). It was concluded that 1) uterine anastomosis did not prove detrimental to the functional outcome, 2) none of the sutures proved functionally superior, and 3) nylon was more likely to be associated with foreign body and inflammatory responses.
Effects of neurite‐promoting factors on rat sciatic nerve regeneration
Authors: Khouri Roger K. , Chiu David T. W. , Feinberg Joseph , Tark Kwan C. , Harper Alice , Spielholz Neil 
Published: March 2007

AbstractNeurite promoting factors (NPF), fibroblast growth factor, and laminin were instilled inside autologous venous nerve conduits (AVNC) interposed across a 1 cm gap in the rat sciatic nerve. Axonal regeneration was measured electrophysiologically and histologically and was compared to control AVNC and autologous nerve grafts (ANG) in 45 rats. By 1 month, the AVNC group with NPF recovered an average nerve conduction velocity twice that of the ANG group (24 m/sec vs. 12 m/sec). The gastrocnemius muscle action potential of NPF grafts was twice that of the control AVNC and was similar to the ANG (1.63 mV vs. 0.87 mV). In subsequent months, the advantage of NPF disappeared; these grafts were grossly reduced to fibrous bands. Histological examination of these grafts at 5 months revealed a florid intraluminal fibrovascular proliferation, which appeared to be “choking off” the regenerating axons. It is suggested that more refined mixtures of NPF should be instilled inside AVNC so that the improved axonal regeneration is maintained while the late inhibitory fibrosis is avoided.
Evaluation of axonal specificity of the regenerating rat sciatic nerve using a fluorescent labeling technique
Authors: Shenaq Saleh M. , Mendelow Michael , Shenaq Jihad M. , Spira Melvin 
Published: March 2007

AbstractA double‐labeling technique using fluorescent compounds, i.e., diamidino yellow and true blue, is described, with the divided rat sciatic nerve model. Tibial and peroneal fascicles were transected, and each freshly cut nerve end was placed in a vial containing either the true blue or the diamidino yellow label. After a 10–15 day survival period, animals were systemically perfused with fixative, and the lumbar enlargement and dorsal root ganglia corresponding to sciatic nerve roots were removed. Serial sectioning and examination with ultraviolet fluorescence microscopy and counts of the labeled cells were performed. Diamidino yellow in labeled cells was found localized to the nucleus, whereas true blue was found localized to the cytoplasm and nucleolus (control group n = 5). Intermixing of these pools was noted, with yellow cells seen among blue labeled cells following nerve autograft repair of a 1 cm segment of the rat sciatic nerve (experimental group n = 5). Double‐labeled cells displaying a yellow nucleus and a blue cytoplasmic label were also seen. We believe that the double‐labeling technique described, using the fluorescent retrograde tracers diamidino yellow and true blue, is a useful monitoring method for assessing the specificity of regenerating axons in the rat sciatic nerve.
In search of the “perfect” anastomosis
Authors: Guity Afrassiab , Young Paul H. , Fischer Vernon W. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractForty‐five end‐to‐side microvascular anastomoses were completed in rat carotid arteries of 0.7–0.8 mm diameter (anastomosing the distal end of the left common carotid to the side of the right common carotid). For comparison both 10‐0 and 11‐0 sutures were utilized in different anastomotic techniques: interrupted, direct‐continuous, and diagonal‐continuous sutures, plus total mural thickness vs. partial mural thickness (piercing only the adventitia and outer media, excluding the intima). Anastomoses were evaluated for patency and scanning electron microscopic appearance after 10 to 12 weeks. The results indicate complete patency in all anastomoses. Ultrastructural observations revealed nearly normal intimal appearance in the partial medial technique and only minimal evidence of intimal injury in the other techniques. It is concluded that 100% patency can be obtained regardless of suture size or anastomotic technique. The most important factor in anastomotic patency is the operator's technical skill.
Effects of normovolemic hemodilution on blood flow in the Rabbit ear
Authors: Frost‐Arner Lieselotte , Aberg Magnus , Brueckner Uwe B. , Wieslander Jan B. , Messmerm Konrad 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe effect of isovolemic hemodilution using dextran‐60 on arterial blood flow in the rabbit ear was investigated. The animals were anesthetized and an electromagnetic flow probe was applied around the central artery of the ear. Isovolemic hemodilution was performed during a 15 min exchange period. Two degrees of hemodilution were investigated [8.5 and 17 ml dextran‐60/kg body weight (b.w.)] and compared with a nontreated control group. The two levels of hemodilution induced reductions in hematocrit to 29 and 21%, respectively, from the control level of about 40%. In all groups, blood pressure maintained constant levels throughout each experiment, which lasted 240 min. In the controls, ear artery blood flow was unchanged or decreased slightly during the experiment. The lower level of hemodilution caused a slight increase of blood flow after 4 h. In the group treated with 17 ml/kg b.w. dextran, blood flow gradually increased after 90 min following hemodilution. After 240 min, flow rates had increased to two‐ or threefold the initial rate in this group. Although other possibilities exist, the increased blood flow following hemodilution may be interpreted as reflecting a decreased resistance to flow in the tissue due to the decreased viscosity of the blood.
Morphological studies of cellular responses to experimental arterial grafts
Authors: Kischer C. Ward , Weinstein Philip R. , Spall Richard , Brendel Klaus 
Published: March 2007

AbstractCross‐carotid microvascular bypass grafts 2–3 mm in diameter were implanted using microsurgical techniques for end‐to‐end anastomosis in four dogs. One autograft control and one of three denatured human umbilical artery xenografts (HUAG) were patent at 5 weeks. One of the other two denatured HUAGs had thrombosed at 1 week, and the other was occluded at 5 weeks. Host and graft vessel specimens were evaluated histologically as well as with transmission electron microscopy after sacrifice. Results indicate that failure of reconstitution of a true endothelial layer, presence of a subintimal myofibroblast population, increased collagen deposition of the muscularis, and occlusion of the adventitial and mural microcirculation were observed in both the early and late nonpatent vessels but not in the patent specimens. Evidence for myointimal cell proliferation was present in both patent and occluded grafts. A cohesive intimal layer was observed in both patent cases. Microvascular occlusion, due to an excess of endothelial cells, of new vasa vasorum in one case seems related to increased fibrosis, which could have resulted in graft stenosis. The surgical procedures and subsequent morphological analyses were adequate and sufficient for use in a longterm study of the possible causes of graft failure.
Wound healing at the site of microvascular anastomosis: Fibrin‐stabilizing factor XIII administration and its effects
Authors: Isogai Noritaka , Ueda Yoshio , Kurozumi Nozomu , Kamiishi Hiroshi 
Published: March 2007

AbstractFactor XIII has recently been recognized to play an important role as a fibrinstabilizing factor to accelerate the wound healing process. We made an attempt to analyze the effect of how Factor XIII affects the results of the healing process at the site of a microvascular anastomosis. The strong fibrin stabilizing property of plasma Factor XIII maintained its high activity when administered intravenously and was effective for wound healing in a low‐activity state made by subcutaneous administration of carbon tetrachloride. The enhanced network formation of the Factor‐XIII‐injected group was indicated by the accelerated maturation of the fibrin structure at the anastomotic site, exhibited both qualitatively and quantitatively. Stimulation and acceleration by Factor XIII of the healing process at the site of microvascular anastomosis were observed. It is therefore suggested that clinical use of Factor XIII may enhance the microvascular repair process. Details of the analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a computerized graphic analyzer system (CGAS) are reported.
Influences of laser pulse duration and anastomotic disruption on laser‐assisted microvascular anastomoses (LAMA)
Authors: Jacobowitz Israel J. , Wang Su , Basu Samir , Baumann F. Gregory , Marini Corrado , Cunningham Joseph N. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe success rate of laser‐assisted microvascular anastomosis (LAMA) can be influenced by many factors, including the parameters of the laser technique used. This study examined the effects of laser pulse duration and the occurrence of anastomotic disruption immediately following first repair attempts on the incidence of aneurysm formation and the patency rate in LAMA. Fifty transected rat femoral arteries in 25 rats were anastomosed with three stay sutures and welded with a CO2 laser at a power of 80 mW. In each rat, the laser was applied in the form of 45 pulses of 0.2 sec duration to one femoral artery (group 1) and in the form of 15 pulses of 0.6 sec duration to the contralateral femoral artery (group 2). Comparison of group 1 with group 2 showed that overall rates of aneurysm formation (30% vs. 17%) and patency rates (92% vs. 96%) did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) at 3 weeks post‐operatively. However, disrupted vessels in both groups had a significantly higher incidence of subsequent aneurysm formation than nondisrupted vessels (54% vs. 0% in group 1, P < 0.05; 43% vs. 6% in group 2, P < 0.06; groups 1 and 2 pooled, P < 0.001). These findings indicate that changes in laser pulse duration such as those tested do not affect the aneurysm and patency rates of LAMA. The results demonstrate, however, that disruption after laser welding plays a significant role in subsequent aneurysm formation.
Assessment of microvascular clamping injury of rat aorta by histochemical examination of oxidoreductases
Authors: Remes Veikko A. , Von Smitten Karl A. , Waris Timo H. , Raekallio Jyrki A. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractTo assess clamping injury to the rat abdominal aorta, the activities of two oxidoreductases, lactate dehydrogenase (LD) and succinate dehydrogenase (SD), were estimated histochemically at various points in time after clamping the aorta for 30 min (group A) or 60 min (group B) with two kinds of microvascular clips. Areas of depressed LD and SD activity were found 3 days after surgery in group A and 1 day and 3 days after surgery in group B. The random, intermittent occurrence of the changes in enzyme activity within the time groups pointed to a mild trauma induced by the clips. At 1 week and thereafter, no changes in enzyme activities were observed in the aortic wall. Two different patterns of depressed enzyme activity were observed: One was a narrow zone without activity throughout the medial layer, and the other consisted of a broader area of depressed activity in the outer parts of the media. Occluding the aorta with a mosquito clamp led to tissue destruction and loss of enzyme activity in the injured area. This study shows that enzyme histochemistry provides nonquantitative methods to detect and localize microvascular injury and that the injury caused by the microvascular clips was mild and reversible.
Development and perspectives of experimental pancreas transplantation in the Rat
Authors: Timmermann Wolfgang , Schang Thomas , Stoffregen Clemens , Schubert Gerhard , Thiede Arnulf 
Published: March 2007

AbstractWhole organ pancreas transplantation in the rat was first described by Sun Lee in 1972. Since that time the basic technique has been modified in several ways and this model can now be used for a variety of experiments. Various techniques for transplantation and representative results of functional and immunological experiments are summarized.
Metabolic effect of pancreas transplantation on long‐term diabetic rats
Authors: De Macedo Arthur , Lee Sun 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThirty‐six male Lewis rats rendered diabetic using alloxan received syngeneic pancreaticoduodenal grafts. Seven days prior to and 7, 30, and 90 days posttransplantation, the animals were housed in metabolic cages for periods of 48 hours. During this time, body weight, water intake, food intake, urine output, and fecal output were recorded every 24 hours. Blood sugar, plasma insulin, glucosuria, and proteinuria were determined at 3‐month intervals prior to the transplant and at monthly intervals posttransplantation. These parameters were also concurrently recorded for diabetic control rats. Pancreaticoduodenal transplantation produces immediate relief of hyperglycemia, glucosuria, polyuria, polyphasia, and polydypsia, resulting in good health of the animals until the time of sacrifice. A significantly increased insulin level was also recorded. The transplanted animals showed a weight gain reflecting that of a normal growth curve.
Effect of pancreas allografts on the ultrastructure of sciatic nerves in diabetic Rats
Authors: Scott Michael H. , Lee Sun , D'Silva Milbhor , Chang Cheng‐Ming , Allen Jennifer , Yancey Diane , Moossa A. R. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIn a long‐term study using cyclosporin‐A (Cy‐A) as immunosuppressant in a dose of 10 mg/kg/day, pancreas‐duodenum was transplanted from Brown Norway donors to alloxan‐diabetic Lewis rats (n = 190). The pancreas transplants (PT) were performed after 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 months of diabetes. Recipient rats were sacrificed between 3 and 12 months of graft retainment. The mean axonal cross‐sectional area and relative percentage of small, medium, and large myelinated fibers was evaluated. Also studied were unmyelinated fiber, ovoid body, and glycogen inclusion densities. Control rats consisted of non‐diabetic rats (n = 36), similar rats receiving Cy‐A (n = 42), diabetic rats (n = 103), and diabetic rats receiving Cy‐A (n = 45). It was found that PT had a beneficial effect on the axonal cross‐sectional area of myelinated nerves, the relative percentage of the various sizes of nerve fibers, and the ovoid body density, especially so in early diabetes. The effects in late diabetes were less spectacular. PT did not prove beneficial to the glycogen inclusion and unmyelinated fiber densities.
Effect of pancreatic allografts on vascular basement membrane thickness in the diabetic Rat
Authors: Scott Michael H. , Lee Sun , D'Silva Milbhor , Chang Cheng‐Ming , Yancey Diane , Allen Jennifer , Moossa A. R. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractDiabetic Lewis rats received pancreaticoduodenum allotransplants from Brown‐Norway donors. Cyclosporine A (Cy‐A) was used in a dose of 10 mg/kg/day for immunosuppression. These transplanted rats (n = 190) were compared with nondiabetic Lewis rats (n = 36), nondiabetic Lewis rats receiving 10 mg/kg/day Cy‐A (n = 42), diabetic rats (n = 103), and diabetic rats receiving 10 mg/kg/day Cy‐A (n = 45). The percentage area of periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS) positive basement membrane (BM) of rectus muscle microvasculature was compared in each of the groups. It was found that the percentage area of PAS positive BM increased markedly over 15 months of uncontrolled diabetes. Cy‐A did not have a significant effect on either normal or diabetic skeletal muscle vascular BM. Rats with established diabetes showed some reversal in the percentage area of PAS positive BM, when pancreas transplantation was performed at 9, 12, and 15 months of diabetes. Pancreas transplantation may appear beneficial even after the development of BM thickening of skeletal muscle vascular BM.
Arterialization of the liver. II. Systemic pressure gradients in rats following variously sized arteriovenous fistulae
Authors: Glassford Edmund , D'Silva Milbhor , Ghorab Hussein , Bai San , Un Lee Sang , Moossa A. R. , Lee Sun 
Published: March 2007

AbstractFour groups (I, II, III, and IV) of six Wistar rats each were studied to elucidate the blood pressure changes following creation of arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) of diameters 1, 2, and 3 mm (groups II, III, and IV, respectively). Group I comprised normal rats with no AVF. Blood pressures were recorded in the carotid and femoral arteries, the femoral and portal veins, the right atrium, and the inferior vena cava (IVC) at renal vein (RV) and common iliac vein (CIV) levels. We found that AVF size did not disturb baseline carotid arterial or portal venous pressures (P > 0.01), but that femoral arterial pressures fell increasingly (P < 0.01). On the other hand, right atrial pressure and that of IVC at RV and CIV levels rose substantially with increasing diameters of AVF (P < 0.01). It was concluded that an AVF of 1 mm diameter least upset the normal blood pressures in the vessels examined.