Closure of a large lumbosacral myelomeningocele post operative defect with a human cadaveric split-thickness skin graft: a case report

Spina bifida is the most common birth defect of the central nervous system that is compatible with life, and myelomeningocele represents its most frequent form. Congenital myelomeningocele (CMM) has a worldwide incidence of 0.5 to 0.8 per 1,000 live newborns. CMM is a complex condition resulting from incomplete closure of the neural tube, mainly in the lumbosacral region. The objective of the surgical repair of the CMM is the reconstruction of all the tissue layers of the defect, avoiding possible postoperative complications. The aim of this case review is to present a re-epithelialization closure in a patient with a large CMM defect in who primary hermetic closure was not possible because there was too much tension at the edges of the defect. Therefore, human cadaveric split-thickness skin grafts were placed over the dura mater and the aponeurotic layer, covering the entire defect and an adequate healing and completely closure of the defect were observed in eight weeks. The surgical management of large meningomyelocele defects represents a major challenge and no single protocol exists for its reconstruction. The repair of an MMC defect should be performed during the first 72 hours after birth. After neurosurgical closure of the neural tube and dura, the myelomeningocele defect requires good quality skin and subcutaneous tissue with minimal wound tension for stable coverage. Human cadaveric skin grafts are considered a useful technique for temporary wound coverage because they lead to a more natural healing environment, possess ideal properties, and provide a physiological barrier that reduces microbiological contamination, in addition, it acts as a bridge to adhere to and to seal wound beds

Heterotypic docking of Cx43 and Cx45 connexons blocks fast voltage gating of Cx43.

Immunohistochemical co-localization of distinct connexins (Cxs) in junctional areas suggests the formation of heteromultimeric channels. To determine the docking effects of the heterotypic combination of Cx43 and Cx45 on the voltage-gating properties of their channels, we transfected DNA encoding Cx43 or Cx45 into N2A neuroblastoma or HeLa cells. Using a double whole-cell voltage-clamp technique, we determined macroscopic and single-channel gating properties of the intercellular channels formed. Cx43-Cx45 heterotypic channels had rectifying properties where Cx45 connexons inactivated rapidly upon hyperpolarizing voltage pulses applied to the Cx45-expressing cell. During depolarizing pulses to the Cx45-expressing cell, Cx43 connexons inactivated with substantially reduced kinetics as compared with homotypic Cx43 channels. Similar slow kinetics was observed for homotypic Cx43M257 (truncation mutant). Heterotypic channels had a main conductance whose value was predicted by the sum of corresponding homomeric connexon conductances; it was not voltage dependent and had no detectable residual conductance. The voltage-gating kinetics of heterotypic channels and their single-channel behavior implicate a role for the Cx43 carboxyl-terminal domain in the fast gating mechanism and in the establishment of residual conductance. Our results also suggest that heterotypic docking may lead to conformational changes that inhibit this action of the Cx43 carboxyl-terminal domain

Chicana and Black feminisms: Testimonios of theory,identity and multiculturalism

In this article, we examine our own testimonios inspired by Chicana and Black feminisms that have not only informed our research and teaching but have also helped us to make sense of our lives. We offer our testimonios related to theory, identity negotiations, and pedagogical concerns with teaching multiculturalism as a way to recognize and acknowledge that as academics, researchers, and teachers, we must continue to learn language from, and create new language for, our theoretical spaces that help us to express and navigate the complexity and multiple locations of struggles and resistance. Collectively, testimonios facilitate crucial lessons for examining the interconnectedness between Chicana and Black feminisms through the lived experiences of those living in or on the margins. They also provide critical self-reflection that is needed to unlearn oppression that exists within each of us