Anatomical variation of the Dorsalis pedis artery in a South African population- A Cadaveric Study

Abstract: The dorsalis pedis artery is responsible for blood supply to the dorsal aspect of the foot and is vital in the clinical assessment of the arterial supply thereof. Clinical assessment should consider anatomical variations of dorsalis pedis artery. Clearly, a thorough understanding of the potential variations of the vasculature in the area is important for a precise clinical assessment of arterial supply to the foot. The aim of this study was to investigate the different branching patterns of the dorsalis pedis artery that exist in a South African population. Methods: A Cadaveric study in which a total of 33 dissected lower limbs (27 adult cadavers and 6 partial wet lower limb specimens) of a South African population sample were studied. The course and branching pattern of the dorsalis pedis artery were photographed and documented. Results: Nine variations of the dorsalis pedis artery were recorded, with the standard branching pattern being the most common with an incidence of 36.36% and a completely absent dorsalis pedis artery variation was noted in 6.06% of the sample. Conclusion: Nine variations of the arterial anatomy of the dorsalis pedis artery were identified in this current study. Each of these may possibly alter the location or strength of the dorsalis pedis pulse affecting clinical assessment outcomes. Knowledge of dorsalis pedis variations may be useful to clinicians when making clinical decisions

Proposed Design Against High-Cycle Fatigue Failure of Metallic Beams Using Lamination

Fatigue analysis helps in predicting life of the component and seeks improvements of the whole process in design phase. Efforts are continually made to combat the fatigue phenomenon, yet certain mechanical components are still failing due to fatigue. The present work proposes a laminated design of beams, which undergo fatigue. The well-known Paris-Erdogan formula was used to theoretically predict fatigue life of the proposed design. The design was shown to enhance fatigue properties through laminating the cross section of the component; Barriers in front of a propagating crack is deliberately included by lamination. Spectacular levels of improvement in the fatigue life of up to 102% were achieved by replacing the monolithic type by only seven laminates. The present analysis was proved efficient in verifying the anticipated improvement acquired by the proposed design of laminated beams

A concise review on the use of mesenchymal stem cells in cell sheet-based tissue engineering with special emphasis on bone tissue regeneration

The integration of stem cell technology and cell sheet engineering improved the potential use of cell sheet products in regenerative medicine. This review will discuss the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in cell sheet-based tissue engineering. Besides their adhesiveness to plastic surfaces and their extensive differentiation potential in vitro, MSCs are easily accessible, expandable in vitro with acceptable genomic stability, and few ethical issues. With all these advantages, they are extremely well suited for cell sheet-based tissue engineering. This review will focus on the use of MSC sheets in osteogenic tissue engineering. Potential application techniques with or without scaffolds and/or grafts will be discussed. Finally, the importance of osteogenic induction of these MSC sheets in orthopaedic applications will be demonstrated. © 2017 A. Cagdas Yorukoglu et al

Confident Diagnosis of Bronchobiliary Fistula Using Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Cholangiography

We report the utility of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) using gadoxetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) in the diagnosis of bronchobiliary fistula associated with liver hydatid cyst. Contrast-enhanced MRC clearly delineated the leakage of contrast agent from the biliary duct and its communication with the bronchial tree. Providing functional information about physiologic or pathologic biliary flow in addition to the display of biliary anatomy, contrast-enhanced MRC stands as a robust technique in confidently detecting bronchobiliary fistula and bile leaks

Orthopedic surgeons' view for the prevention of osteoporotic secondary fractures: A survey

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the tendencies related to assessment and treatment modalities administered to patients with osteoporotic fractures by orthopedics and traumatology specialists for the prevention of secondary fractures in our country. Materials and methods: A survey composed of 10 questions was applied in electronic environment to actively practicing 144 orthopedics and traumatology specialists to detect their demographics, protocol they administer for the diagnosis and follow-up of primary osteoporosis, and assessment and treatment modalities they administer for the prevention of secondary fractures. Categorical variables were compared statistically based on duration of specialization, affiliated institution, and academic career along with the descriptive results. Results: Use of the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAXTM) developed by World Health Organization is limited among orthopedics and traumatology specialists in our country (11%). There was no statistical difference between the groups (p>0.05). The rate of starting the appropriate treatment after hip and vertebral fractures due to osteoporosis was 21%. In addition, 46% of the physicians preferred to wait for the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry results. Only academic career was statistically significantly different between the groups (p=0.043). Conclusion: In our country, majority of patients who present with osteoporotic hip and vertebra fractures are assessed and treated insufficiently for the prevention of secondary fractures. Supporting our results with clinical studies can accelerate the development of sufficient research and treatment programs for patients with osteoporotic fractures

Modeling of the axial crumpling of conical shells

The axial crumpling of frusta in the axisymmetric "concertina" mode is examined. A new theoretical model is developed in which the inward folding in both cylinders and frusta is addressed. The results were compared with previous relevant models as well as experimental findings. The flexibility of the model was substantiated by its capability of describing and estimating the inward folding in frusta in general as well as in cylinders as a special case. A declining trend of the eccentricity dependence with the D/t ratio was found in contrast with a previous theory which suggests total independency. ABAQUS 14-2 finite element software was employed to simulate the thin tube as a 3-D thin shell part. Numerical simulations of the process were found to, firstly, underestimate the theoretical values of inward folding in general, secondly anticipate more underestimations as the tubes become thinner and/or have larger apex angle, and finally anticipate as low as 300 apical angle frusta to revert its mode of deformation to global inversion

Functional status, patient satisfaction and quality of life in patients with arthroscopic partial meniscectomy

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effects of clinical and demographic variables on functional status, patient satisfaction and quality of life following arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. Patients and methods: Between January 2001 and December 2010, 98 patients (44 males, 54 females; mean age 52.1±12.5 years; range 18 to 88 years) who underwent arthroscopic partial meniscectomy in our clinic and were eligible for the study. Demographic and clinical data of patients and surgical characteristics were recorded. Preoperative activity levels of patients were measured. Severity of activity pain and patient satisfaction following surgery were evaluated using Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Functional status was evaluated by Lysholm knee score and WOMAC (Osteoarthritis Index Western Ontario and McMaster Universities), while quality of life was evaluated by Short Form-36 (SF-36). Results: Postoperative mean time from surgery was 62.5±26.1 (8-120) months, VAS score at rest was 1.7±2.6 (0-10), VAS activity score was 3.4±3.3 (0-10) and VAS patient satisfaction score was 7.0±3.0 (0-10). It was found that 68 of the patients (69.4%) were evaluated themselves as excellent or better than preoperative period with a mean Lysholm knee score of 73.8±17.4 (24-95). Significant influences of body mass index and preoperative symptom duration on evaluation parameters were not detected. Male gender, less than five years after surgery, less intraoperative joint degeneration and moderate to severe activity level before the onset of symptoms had a positive influence on the severity of pain, patient satisfaction and functional status. Conclusion: Our study provided critical data for optimal patient selection during the preoperative period to predict which patients may have better results in the mid-term follow-up after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy