Spontaneous hardening of the zona pellucida of mouse oocytes during in vitro culture. II. The effect of follicular fluid and glycosaminoglycans

We have previously reported that when isolated mouse oocytes are cultured in vitro their zonae pellucidae (ZP) become increasingly resistant to solubilization by chymotrypsin (“spontaneous” ZP hardening). In the present paper we report that follicular fluid contains factors that totally prevent such hardening. Furthermore, medium conditioned by granulosa cells partially prevents hardening. The protection against ZP hardening offered by follicular fluid may be ascribed, at least in part, to its content in sulfated glycosaminoglycans heparin and chondroitinsulfate B which, when added to the culture medium at physiological concentrations, show a marked antihardening effect

Wound drainages in total hip arthroplasty: to use or not to use? Review of the literature on current practice.

Aim of this study is to analyze data reported in literature concerning the efficacy of using wound low-vacuum suction drainages in orthopedic surgery after total hip arthroplasty. We analyzed studies concerning the use of drainages in prosthetic hip replacement surgery, performing our research through Pubmed, Cochrane database and Google Scholar, and selecting the ones evaluating the following parameters: bleeding, the need for blood transfusions, number or reinforcement of post-operative medications, length of hospitalization, functional results, periprosthetic and surgical wound infection, post-operative hematoma. Our review did not show any demonstrated advantage from the use of wound drainages in total hip arthroplasty. Moreover, some studies enlighted a possible complication related to their employment, represented by the greater need for blood transfusions. Despite the absence of a statistically demonstrated positive influence on wound outcome using suction drains after total hip replacement, many orthopedic surgeons still recommend using drainages, just because there is no certified proof of a negative effect