Long term in-vivo studies of a photo-oxidized bovine osteochondral transplant in sheep

BACKGROUND: Articular cartilage has limited capacity to repair. Defects greater than 3 mm heal with formation of inferior fibrous cartilage. Therefore, many attempts have been made to find the ideal graft for larger cartilage lesions. Different grafts, such as untreated or cryopreserved osteochondral transplants, have been used with variable success. METHODS: Photo-oxidized osteochondral grafts were implanted in both femoral condyles of one ovine knee. Untreated xenogeneic and autogeneic grafts served as controls. Three groups of 8 sheep each were formed and they were sacrificed 6, 12 or 18 months after surgery. RESULTS: The macroscopic evaluation of the condyle and graft showed a well-maintained cartilage surface in most grafts at all time points. However, the host cartilage matrix deteriorated considerably in all xenogeneic, most autogeneic and fewer of the photo-oxidized grafts at 12 and 18 months, respectively. The blue colour of the photo-oxidized grafts resulting from the process of photo-oxidation was visible in all grafts at 6 months, had diminished at 12 months and had completely disappeared at 18 months after surgery. Histologically a loss of matrix staining was almost never noticed in untreated xenografts, transiently at 6 months in photo-oxidized grafts and increased at 12 and 18 months. Fusion between graft and host cartilage could be seen in photo-oxidized grafts at 12 and 18 months, but was never seen in autografts and xenografts. CONCLUSIONS: The photo-oxidation of osteochondral grafts and its use as transplant appears to have a beneficial effect on cartilage and bone remodelling. Osteochondral grafts pre-treated with photo-oxidation may be considered for articular cartilage replacement and therefore may delay artificial joint replacements in human patients

LGBTQ parenting post heterosexual relationship dissolution

The chapter examines parenting among sexual and gender minorities post heterosexual relationship dissolution (PHRD). Reviewing the literature around intersecting identities of LGBTQ parents, we consider how religion, race, and socioeconomic status are associated with routes into and out of heterosexual relationships and variation in the lived experience of sexual and gender identity minorities, in particular how LGBTQ parents PHRD feel about being out. Further consideration is given to examining how family relationships change and develop as parental sexual and/or gender identity changes. We also explore the impact of PHRD identity and parenthood on new partnerships and stepfamily experiences. The chapter addresses the reciprocal relationship between research on LGBTQ parenting and policy and legal influences that impact upon the experience of LGBTQ parenting PHRD when custody and access are disputed. Finally, the chapter includes future research directions and implications for practice in an area that has been revitalized in recent years

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effectiveness of nepafenac 0.1% for cataract surgery.

BACKGROUND: To compare nepafenac 0.1% with placebo and ketorolac 0.5% for prevention and treatment of ocular pain and inflammation after cataract surgery. METHODS: In a multi-center, randomized, placebo- and active-controlled, double-masked clinical trial, 227 patients with cataract were randomized to receive nepafenac 0.1%, ketorolac 0.5%, or placebo TID beginning 1 day pre-operatively and continuing for 21 days postoperatively. At each postoperative visit, cure rates and clinical success rates (</=5 aqueous cells and no flare) were calculated, and investigators evaluated patients' pain. On Day 7, patients judged ocular comfort after study drug instillation. RESULTS: Nepafenac 0.1% produced significantly more cures compared to placebo at Day 14 (76.3% vs 59.2%, p = 0.0241), more clinical successes from Day 7 onward (p < 0.05), and more pain-free patients from Day 3 onward (p < 0.05). Nepafenac 0.1% was superior to ketorolac 0.5% in terms of clinical success at Day 14 (p = 0.0319) and in percentage of pain-free patients at Day 3 (p = 0.0366). Nepafenac 0.1% also demonstrated less discomfort upon instillation than ketorolac 0.5% (p = 0.0158). CONCLUSION: The anti-inflammatory efficacy of nepafenac 0.1% is better than that of placebo; it is also more comfortable and at least equal to ketorolac 0.5% in the prevention and treatment of postoperative ocular pain and inflammation

Fuel stagnation temperature effects on mixing with supersonic combustion flows

An experimental study of the effect of fuel stagnation temperature on mixing in a supersonic hydrogen-air flame is described, The combustor consisted of a constant-area rectangular duct with a centrally located fuel-injection strut that spanned the width. A high-enthalpy stream of air was supplied by a free-piston shock tunnel, and heated hydrogen fuel, supplied by a gun-tunnel, was injected into the freestream as a coflowing planar jet. The freestream total enthalpies were 5.6, 6.5, and 9 MJ/kg, and fuel stagnation temperatures were 300, 450, and 700 K, Raising the fuel stagnation temperature increased the fuel velocity to be near that of the airstream and resulted in a decrease in the mixing rate, Even as the fuel and air velocities became equal, significant mixing still occurred because of a large difference in density, Increasing the freestream enthalpy reduced the difference between the initial air temperature and the adiabatic flame temperature, which in turn reduced the heat addition, and subsequently, the amount of pressure rise in the duct