Average velocity in the ladder running test in the different experimental groups during the experiment.

<p>Vertical bars represent 95% confidence intervals. Horizontal lines in the upper portion of the figure indicate statistically significant differences between groups on the 90^th day postoperatively (p<0.05). *, p<0.05; **, p<0.01; ***, p<0.001.</p

Representative histological features of the different experimental groups.

<p>HE, hematoxylin-eosin staining; MT, Masson’s trichrome staining; NF, neurofilament immunohistochemical staining; Per, peripherin immunohistochemical staining; ACHE, acetylcholinesterase immunohistochemical staining. Calibration bar (A to E) = 10 μm Calibration bar (F to I’) = 100 μm.</p

Reconstruction of a 10-mm-long median nerve gap in an ischemic environment using autologous conduits with different patterns of blood supply: A comparative study in the rat - Fig 20

<p>Typical high amplification fluorescence microscopy photographs of cross sections of the C7 the right dorsal root ganglion (<b>A</b> and <b>C</b>) showing ganglion cells stained with the True Blue® tracer and of motoneurons in the ventral horn of the spinal cord stained with the lucifer yellow (LY) ® tracer (<b>B</b> and <b>D</b>). Intracytoplasmic inclusions of these two markers are clearly visible in a rat of the Sham group. Calibration bar = 100 μm.</p

Walking tracks measurements using forepaw impressions.

<p><b>(A)</b> Photograph of a typical print of the left forepaw (uninjured). <b>(B)</b> Contrast-enhanced image of the photograph in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0195692#pone.0195692.g003" target="_blank">Fig 3A</a>, using the software Fiji®. Similar images were used for measurement purposes, namely of determination of the stance factor (paw impression area on the paper sheet). <b>(C)</b> Typical forepaw prints of a rat in the nerve graft group. 1, Intermediate finger spread factor: widest width between the second and third fingers; 2, Finger spread factor: widest width of the paw impression; 3, Print length factor: longest length of the paw impression; 4, Stride length: distance between homologous points of successive paw impressions on a given side; 5, Base of support: perpendicular distance between the central portion of the paw impression and the direction of movement.</p

Qualitative assessment of grasping strength in the operated limb in the different experimental groups 30, 60 and 90 days after the reconstruction of the median nerve gap.

<p>Vertical bars represent 95% confidence intervals. Horizontal lines in the upper portion of the figure indicate statistically significant differences between groups (p<0.05). *, p<0.05; **, p<0.01; ***, p<0.001.</p

Fluorescence microscopy photographs of cross sections of the right median nerve proximally to the lesion, of the C7 spinal cord segment, and of the C7 the right dorsal root ganglion in the different experimental groups.

<p>Dor, dorsal; R, right Red calibration bar = 1 mm White calibration bar = 100 μm.</p

Muscle strength evaluation at the end of the experiment in the operated forelimb in the different experimental groups.

<p>(A) Maximal isometric wrist flexion force after tetanic stimulation. (B) Area under the curve (AUC) during a 30-second interval and supratetanic stimulation. Values are expressed as percentages of averages normalized to the homologous contralateral side average values. Vertical lines represent 95% confidence intervals. Horizontal lines in the upper portion of the figure indicate statistically significant differences between experimental groups (p<0.05). **, p<0,01; ***, p<0.001.</p

Walking track analysis of the right forelimb (operated paw) of rats in the different experimental groups throughout the experience.

<p>Values are expressed as percentages of averages normalized to the contralateral side. (A) Stance factor. (B) Print length; (C) Finger spread factor; (D) Intermediate finger spread factor; (E) Stride length; (F) Base of support. Vertical bars represent 95% confidence intervals. Horizontal lines in the upper portion of the figure indicate statistically significant differences between experimental groups (p<0.05). *, p<0.05; **, p<0,01; ***, p<0.001.</p

Experimental groups’ schematic representation and representative photographs.

<p>(A to F) Schematic drawings of the different methods of bridging the median nerve gap in the various experimental groups. (G to S) photographs of representative intra-operative images. All images represent the right forelimb with the exception of (Q) which represents the left groin region. 1, median nerve; 2, distal stump of the median nerve; 3, proximal stump of the median nerve; 4, autologous median nerve graft; 5, median nerve conventional flap; 6, arterialized neurovenous flap; 7, brachial artery; 8, arterio-venous anastomosis; 9, brachial vein; 10, prefabricated nerve flap; 11, arterio-venous fistula used to produce the prefabricated nerve flap; 12, medial antebrachial nerve; 13, ulnar nerve; 14, silicone rod place around the nerve gap to simulate an ischemic environment; 15, <i>vasa nervorum</i> to median nerve flap; 16, <i>vena nervorum</i>; 17, arteriovenous loop; 18, femoral vein; 19, femoral artery Ca, Caudal; Cr, Cranial; La, Lateral; Me, Medial. Calibration bar = 1 mm.</p

Electroneuromyographic assessment of the right forelimb (operated paw) of rats in the different experimental groups throughout the experience.

<p>Values are expressed as percentages of averages normalized to the homologous contralateral side average values. (A) Neurological stimulation threshold; (B) Motor stimulation threshold; (C) Latency; (D) Neuromuscular transduction velocity; (E) Compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) amplitude; (F) CMAPs duration. Vertical lines represent 95% confidence intervals. Horizontal lines in the upper portion of the figure indicate statistically significant differences between experimental groups (p<0.05). *, p<0.05; **, p<0,01; ***, p<0.001.</p