Arthroscopic Coracoclavicular Ligament Reconstruction Using Graft Augmentation and Titanium Implants

Several techniques have been introduced to treat acromioclavicular separation with coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction using graft augmentation. A modified arthroscopic technique for coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction was used based on a previous technique where the supportive device and tendon graft share the clavicular and coracoid drill holes. A notable problem with the previous technique was large protruding suture knots on the washer and clavicle, which could predispose to wound infection. In this modified technique, titanium implants were introduced. The implants hid the suture knot on the clavicle, and less foreign material was needed between the clavicular and coracoid implants.</p

Characterization of hepatitis C RNA-containing particles from human liver by density and size

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) particles found in vivo are heterogeneous in density and size, but their detailed characterization has been restricted by the low titre of HCV in human serum. Previously, our group has found that HCV circulates in blood in association with very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). Our aim in this study was to characterize HCV RNA-containing membranes and particles in human liver by both density and size and to identify the subcellular compartment(s) where the association with VLDL occurs. HCV was purified by density using iodixanol gradients and by size using gel filtration. Both positive-strand HCV RNA (present in virus particles) and negative-strand HCV RNA (an intermediate in virus replication) were found with densities below 1.08 g ml−1. Viral structural and non-structural proteins, host proteins ApoB, ApoE and caveolin-2, as well as cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipids were also detected in these low density fractions. After fractionation by size with Superose gel filtration, HCV RNA and viral proteins co-fractionated with endoplasmic reticulum proteins and VLDL. Fractionation on Toyopearl, which separates particles with diameters up to 200 nm, showed that 78 % of HCV RNA from liver was >100 nm in size, with a positive-/negative-strand ratio of 6 : 1. Also, 8 % of HCV RNA was found in particles with diameters between 40 nm and 70 nm and a positive-/negative-strand ratio of 45 : 1. This HCV was associated with ApoB, ApoE and viral glycoprotein E2, similar to viral particles circulating in serum. Our results indicate that the association between HCV and VLDL occurs in the liver

Stable Cytotoxic T Cell Escape Mutation in Hepatitis C Virus Is Linked to Maintenance of Viral Fitness

Mechanisms by which hepatitis C virus (HCV) evades cellular immunity to establish persistence in chronically infected individuals are not clear. Mutations in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I-restricted epitopes targeted by CD8+ T cells are associated with persistence, but the extent to which these mutations affect viral fitness is not fully understood. Previous work showed that the HCV quasispecies in a persistently infected chimpanzee accumulated multiple mutations in numerous class I epitopes over a period of 7 years. During the acute phase of infection, one representative epitope in the C-terminal region of the NS3/4A helicase, NS31629-1637, displayed multiple serial amino acid substitutions in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) anchor and T cell receptor (TCR) contact residues. Only one of these amino acid substitutions at position 9 (P9) of the epitope was stable in the quasispecies. We therefore assessed the effect of each mutation observed during in vivo infection on viral fitness and T cell responses using an HCV subgenomic replicon system and a recently developed in vitro infectious virus cell culture model. Mutation of a position 7 (P7) TCR-contact residue, I1635T, expectedly ablated the T cell response without affecting viral RNA replication or virion production. In contrast, two mutations at the P9 MHC-anchor residue abrogated antigen-specific T cell responses, but additionally decreased viral RNA replication and virion production. The first escape mutation, L1637P, detected in vivo only transiently at 3 mo after infection, decreased viral production, and reverted to the parental sequence in vitro. The second P9 variant, L1637S, which was stable in vivo through 7 years of follow-up, evaded the antigen-specific T cell response and did not revert in vitro despite being less optimal in virion production compared to the parental virus. These studies suggest that HCV escape mutants emerging early in infection are not necessarily stable, but are eventually replaced with variants that achieve a balance between immune evasion and fitness for replication

Optimum Level of Cassava Pulp in Diets for Layers

An experiment was conducted to determine the optimum level of cassava pulp that can be included in layer diets without adverse effect on egg production and quality. Cassava pulp replaced maize at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 or 30 %, with equal metabolisable energy and crude protein contents. The 30 % diet resulted in the lowest bulk density (610 g/litre). As the cassava pulp level increase in the diet, the weight of the small intestine and bursa increased (

Microbial Enzyme Supplementation of Broiler Chicken Diets Containing Cassava Pulp

A study was conducted to evaluate the response of broiler chickens to diet containing varying levels - 0 (Control), 100 (Low), 150 (High) g of cassava pulp (CSP)/kg diet and supplemented with exogenous microbial enzymes. Feed intake was not affected by the level of CSP in the diet but was reduced (

Energy utilisation of broiler chicks on starter diets containing cassava pulp and microbial enzymes

Background: Cassava pulp (CSP) is a low-protein, high-fibre by-product of the starch industry. There is a potential for this ingredient in poultry diets if the nutritive value can be improved. Objective: To assess the energy utilisation of broiler chicks on diets containing CSP, when supplemented with microbial enzymes. ... Conclusion: Cassava pulp generally reduced the dietary AME, NEp and HP but did not adversely affect the efficiency of energy utilisation. Microbial enzyme supplementation improved these variables, some of them significantly

Variation in nutrient composition of cassava pulp from Thailand

Cassava (tapioca) is a starchy tropical tuber crop that is used as an energy source in animal diets. In the regions in which it is grown, most cassava is fed to animals in the form of whole tubers. In Thailand and other parts of south-east Asia, cassava tubers are processed further into chips or pellets for local animal feeding and for export to other parts of the world, including Australia. Cassava is also used for starch production, and in Thailand more than 10 million tonnes of cassava are used for this purpose per anum. A fibrous residual material known as cassava pulp, which constitutes 30% of the mass of the original tuber, is obtained as a by product of this process. About 1.5–2.0 million tonnes of cassava pulp are produced per year. As the starch extraction process is not very efficient, the pulp contains bout 50% starch on a dry basis (Ukita et al., 2006). However, the composition of the pulp differs between regions and according to the extraction and postextraction processes used. Cassava pulp is commonly fed to ruminant animals, but its nutritive value for nonruminant species such as poultry and pigs is unclear

Arthroscopic Coracoclavicular Ligament Reconstruction Using Graft Augmentation and Titanium Implants

Several techniques have been introduced to treat acromioclavicular separation with coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction using graft augmentation. A modified arthroscopic technique for coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction was used based on a previous technique where the supportive device and tendon graft share the clavicular and coracoid drill holes. A notable problem with the previous technique was large protruding suture knots on the washer and clavicle, which could predispose to wound infection. In this modified technique, titanium implants were introduced. The implants hid the suture knot on the clavicle, and less foreign material was needed between the clavicular and coracoid implants.Peer reviewe