1,124 research outputs found
Anatomic variations of the T2 nerve root (including the nerve of Kuntz) and their implications for sympathectomy
AbstractObjective: The aim of this study was to clarify the anatomic variations of the intrathoracic nerve of Kuntz, and this should help delineate the resection margins during video-assisted thoracic sympathectomy. Methods: Sixty-six thoracic sympathetic chains of 39 adult Korean cadavers were dissected on both sides of the thorax in 27 cadavers (54 sides) and on one side in 12 cadavers (12 sides). Results: The intrathoracic nerve was observed in 45 (68.2%) sides and was present bilaterally in 48.1% of cadavers. No intrathoracic nerve or ascending ramus communicans arising from the second thoracic nerve was observed in only 5 (7.6%) sides. The diameter of the intrathoracic nerve was 1.25 ± 0.55 mm on average. The arising point of the intrathoracic nerve from the second thoracic nerve was 7.3 mm on average from the sympathetic trunk. Presence of the stellate ganglion was noted in 56 (84.8%) sides, and 6 (9.1%) sides showed a single large ganglion formed by the stellate and the second thoracic sympathetic ganglia. The second thoracic sympathetic ganglion was most commonly located (50%) in the second intercostal space. Conclusion: The anatomic variations of the intrathoracic nerve of Kuntz and the second thoracic sympathetic ganglion were characterized in human cadavers. It is hoped that this study will help to improve the recurrence of symptoms caused by the intrathoracic nerve in an upper thoracic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis.J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2002;123:498-50
Vertical ridge augmentation feasibility using unfixed collagen membranes and particulate bone substitutes: A 1- to 7-year retrospective single-cohort observational study
AIM
To determine whether vertical ridge augmentation (VRA) can be obtained through guided bone regeneration (GBR) using exclusively resorbable collagen membranes and particulate bone substitutes without additional stabilization.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study retrospectively examined 22 participants who underwent VRA with staged or simultaneous implant placement. The vertical defects of all participants were filled with particulate bone substitutes and covered with resorbable collagen membranes. The augmented sites were stabilized with unfixed collagen membranes and the flap without any additional fixation. The augmented tissue height was assessed using cone-beam computed tomography at baseline, immediately after surgery, and at annual follow-ups.
RESULTS
The vertical bone gain of the 22 augmented sites amounted to 6.48 ± 2.19 mm (mean ± SD) immediately after surgery and 5.78 ± 1.72 mm at 1- to 7-year follow-up. Of the 22 augmented sites, 18 exhibited changes of less than 1 mm, while the other 4 showed changes of greater than 1 mm. Histological observation of three representative cases revealed new bone apposition on the remaining material.
CONCLUSION
The present findings indicate that GBR procedures using exclusively collagen membranes and particulate biomaterials without any additional fixation are feasible options for VRA
Kinematic aspects of trunk motion and gender effect in normal adults
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purpose of this study was to analyze kinematic trunk motion data in normal adults and to investigate gender effect.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Kinematic trunk motion data were obtained for 20 healthy subjects (11 men and 9 women; age from 21 to 40 years) during walking a 9 m long lane at a self selected speed, namely, motions in the sagittal (tilt), coronal (obliquity), and transverse (rotation) planes, which were all expressed as motions in global (relative to the ground) and those in pelvic reference frame (relative to pelvis), i.e., tilt (G), obliquity (G), rotation (G), tilt (P), obliquity (P), rotation (P).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Range of tilt (G), obliquity (G) and rotation (G) showed smaller motion than that of tilt (P), obliquity (P) and rotation (P), respectively. When genders were compared, female trunks showed a 5 degree more extended posture during gait than male trunks (p = 0.002), which appeared to be caused by different lumbar lordosis. Ranges of coronal and transverse plane motion appeared to be correlated. In gait cycle, the trunk motion appeared to counterbalance the lower extremity during swing phase in sagittal plane, and to reduce the angular velocity toward the contralateral side immediate before the contralateral heel strike in the coronal plane.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Men and women showed different lumbar lordosis during normal gait, which might be partly responsible for the different prevalence of lumbar diseases between genders. However, this needs further investigation.</p
Overexpression of CFH gene in pterygiumv patients
Purpose: To investigate the expression of complement factors in pterygium tissues compared to normal conjunctival samples, using next-generation RNA sequencingMethods: Twenty pterygium and 20 healthy conjunctival samples were obtained from 19 patients who consented to pterygium excision and conjunctival autograft surgery. Tissues (pterygium and normal conjunctiva) were analyzed using next-generation RNA sequencing. Significant gene lists were obtained using DAVID, GSEA, and KEGG for enriched pathway analyses of differentially expressed genes. Realtime polymerase chain reaction was performed to validate differential expressions of complement factors.Results: There was 3.15 ± 2.6, 3.21 ± 4.6, 3.03 ± 1.83, 4.28 ± 6.12, and 4.96 ± 1.89-fold increase in the expression of CFH, C2, C1QB, C1QC, and MASP1, respectively, in pterygium samples compared to normal conjunctival samples. Pterygium size correlated well with the expression of CFH, C1QB, C1QC and MASP1.Conclusion: Alternative and lectin complement systems are activated in pterygia samples compared to normal conjunctival samples.Keywords: Pterygium; Complement factor; RNA sequencin
Consumer Preferences for High-Tech Product Forms: Converged or Separate? Evolution of Technology & Reversal of Preferences
Oxygen Partial Pressure during Pulsed Laser Deposition: Deterministic Role on Thermodynamic Stability of Atomic Termination Sequence at SrRuO3/BaTiO3 Interface
With recent trends on miniaturizing oxide-based devices, the need for
atomic-scale control of surface/interface structures by pulsed laser deposition
(PLD) has increased. In particular, realizing uniform atomic termination at the
surface/interface is highly desirable. However, a lack of understanding on the
surface formation mechanism in PLD has limited a deliberate control of
surface/interface atomic stacking sequences. Here, taking the prototypical
SrRuO3/BaTiO3/SrRuO3 (SRO/BTO/SRO) heterostructure as a model system, we
investigated the formation of different interfacial termination sequences
(BaO-RuO2 or TiO2-SrO) with oxygen partial pressure (PO2) during PLD. We found
that a uniform SrO-TiO2 termination sequence at the SRO/BTO interface can be
achieved by lowering the PO2 to 5 mTorr, regardless of the total background gas
pressure (Ptotal), growth mode, or growth rate. Our results indicate that the
thermodynamic stability of the BTO surface at the low-energy kinetics stage of
PLD can play an important role in surface/interface termination formation. This
work paves the way for realizing termination engineering in functional oxide
heterostructures.Comment: 27 pages, 6 figures, Supporting Informatio
Comparative Study for the Differentiation of Allergic and Irritant Contact Dermatitis in Mice
Our study was performed to compare the differences between
allergic and irritant contact dermatitis in BALB/c mice. Allergic reaction was
induced by a sensitizing regimen of 2,4-dinitro-l-fluorobenzene (DNFB) and
irritant reaction by 10% sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). The following differences
were noted: 1) the mice with irritant reaction showed an earlier peak of ear
swelling, 2) increasing number of Langerhans cells (LCs) in allergic reaction but
decreasing number of LCs in irritant reaction was observed at 48 hr after
challenge of DNFB or SLS, and 3) induction of Ia (+) keratinocytes was found
only in allergic reaction. It was suggested that Ia (+) keratinocytes play an active
role in the mechanism of allergic contact dermatitis
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