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Purpose: Functionality of the facial nerve is cosmetically important. While many techniques have been investigated, early and effective treatment for traumatic facial nerve paralysis remains challenging. Here, we aim to examine bacterial cellulose (BC) as a new tubularization material for improving facial nerve regeneration. Methods: Our study was performed on 40 female Sprague Dawley rats. Rats were randomly divided into four groups, with 10 rats per group. In all rats, the main trunk of the facial nerve was completely cut 8 mm before the branching point. For repairing the facial nerve, in group 1, the nerve was left to recover spontaneously (control group); in group 2, it was repaired by primary suturing (8.0 Ethilon sutures, Ethicon); in group 3, BC tubes alone were used to aid nerve repair; and in group 4, both BC tubes and primary sutures (8.0 Ethilon sutures) were used. After 10 weeks, the facial nerve regeneration was evaluated by the whisker movement test and electrophysiologically (nerve stimulation threshold and compound muscle action potential). Nerve regeneration was assessed by calculating the number of myelinated nerve fibers, and by microscopically evaluating the amount of regeneration and fibrosis. Results: No significant difference was observed among the groups in terms of whisker movement and electrophysiological parameters (P > 0.05). We found that the numbers of regenerating myelinated fibers were significantly increased (P < 0.05) when BC tubes were used as a nerve conduit. Conclusions: BC can be easily shaped into a hollow tube that guides nerve axons, resulting in better nerve regeneration after transection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bilateral common carotid artery ligation (BCCAL) leads to acute craniocervicocerebral ischemia, retrograde blood flow, increased blood pressure, and significant hemodynamic and histomorphological changes at the posterior cerebral vasculature. We examined the potential relationship between denervation injury following BCCAL-induced cervical sympathetic trunk (CST) ischemia and heart rate after permanent BCCAL. Rabbits (n = 25) were randomly divided into three groups: an unoperated control group (GI, n = 6); a sham-operated control group (GII, n = 6), and an experimental group subjected to BCCAL (GIII, n = 13); and then followed for one month. All animals were then sacrificed and the stellate ganglia (STGs) were examined histologically using stereological methods. The densities of degenerated neurons in the STGs were compared with heart rates and the results were analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U test. The mean normal neuron density in STGs was 10.340 ± 954/mm3 and the degenerated neuron density was 12 ± 3/mm3 in the GI group (p > 0.5). The mean heart rates and degenerated neuron densities of STGs were recorded as 267 ± 19/min and 237 ± 45/mm3 in GII (p < 0.005 for GII vs. GI); and 190 ± 11/min 1421 ± 230/mm3 in GIII (p < 0.0001 for GIII vs. GI and p < 0.005 for GIII vs. GII). An inverse and meaningful association was observed between the heart rate and degenerated neuronal density in the STGs. BCCAL may lead to hazardous histomorphological changes in the CST. A high density of degenerated neurons in the STG may provoke excessive sympathetic hypoactivity-related cardiac damage and bradyarrhythmias after stenoocclusive carotid artery diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a fractional order epidemic model for obesity contagion. The population size is assumed to be nonconstant, which is more realistic. The model considers vertical transmission of obesity and also obesity-related death rate. We give local stability analysis of the model. Finally, some numerical examples are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was performed to evaluate the possible protective effect of two calcium channel blocker's 'lacidipine (LAC) and amlodipine (AML)' on bone metabolism in an experimental ovariectomized and inflammation-induced osteoporosis rat model (OVXinf). For the purpose of this study, the rats were divided into eight groups, each containing eight rats: sham-operated control (group 1, SH), sham + inflammation (group 2, SHinf), ovariectomy (group 3, OVX), ovariectomy + inflammation (group 4, OVXinf), ovariectomy + LAC 4 mg/kg (group 5, OVX + LAC), ovariectomy + inflammation + LAC 4 mg/kg (group 6, OVXinf + LAC), ovariectomy + AML 5 mg/kg (group 7, OVX + AML), ovariectomy + inflammation + AML 5 mg/kg (group 8, OVXinf + AML). The levels of osteocalcin and osteopontin decreased in OVXinf + LAC and OVXinf + AML groups. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were increased significantly in the OVXinf rats compared with the SH group. Gene expression levels of the osteogenic factor runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and type I collagen 1A1 (Col1A1) significantly decreased in the OVXinf group, when compared with the control group. AML or LAC administrations increased the levels of Runx2 and Col1A1. These results suggest that amlodipine and lacidipine may be a novel therapeutic target for radical osteoporosis treatment in hypertensive patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burn injuries, the most common and destructive forms of wounds, are generally accompanied with life-threatening infections, inflammation, reduced angiogenesis, inadequate extracellular matrix production, and lack of growth factor stimulation. In the current study, a new antimicrobial carbopol-based hydrogel formulated with boron and pluronic block copolymers was evaluated for its healing activity using in vitro cell culture techniques and an experimental burn model. Cell viability, gene expression, and wound healing assays showed that gel formulation increased wound healing potential. In vitro tube-like structure formation and histopathological examinations revealed that gel not only increased wound closure by fibroblastic cell activity, but also induced vascularization process. Moreover, gel formulation exerted remarkable antimicrobial effects against bacteria, yeast, and fungi. Migration, angiogenesis, and contraction-related protein expressions including collagen, α-smooth muscle actin, transforming growth factor-β1, vimentin, and vascular endothelial growth factor were considerably enhanced in gel-treated groups. Macrophage-specific antigen showed an oscillating expression at the burn wounds, indicating the role of initial macrophage migration to the wound site and reduced inflammation phase. This is the first study indicating that boron containing hydrogel is able to heal burn wounds effectively. The formulation promoted burn wound healing via complex mechanisms including stimulation of cell migration, growth factor expression, inflammatory response, and vascularization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of alendronate (Aln) irrigation with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the healing of bone defects in rats. Sixty Wistar rats weighing 250 to 300 g were randomly divided into three groups of 20 animals each: (1) control group, (2) Aln group, and (3) Aln with LLLT group. The distal epiphysis of all rats was perforated with a surgical bone drill. Twenty rats served as control. The bone defects of 40 rats received local alendronate sodium trihydrate irrigation (1 mg/ml) at the time of surgery. LLLT was applied to the bone defects of 20 rats immediately after Aln irrigation, and repeated on days 2, 4, 6, and 8 with a total dose of 10 J/cm (2 J/cm × 5). Continuous wave of GaAlAs laser (808 nm) was used with a power density of 0.1 W/cm. Laser energy was applied for 20 s (0.1 W × 20 s/1 cm) per session. Control group, Aln group, and Aln with LLLT group rats were sacrificed at days 10 and 20 to compare the bone healing of each group histologically. There were significant differences between the three groups regarding union, substantia spongiosa, cortex formation, and in sum of histologic scores on days 10 and 20 ( P < 0.0001). Our findings demonstrated that Aln has a more positive effect with LLLT on bone healing in rats. It was concluded that combining LLLT (808 nm laser at 10 J/cm) with Aln irrigation has a beneficial effect in bone repair. It was demonstrated experimentally that Aln irrigation during the surgery had a significant effect to enhance bone formation, and LLLT significantly potentiated the osseous healing effects of Aln on bone defects. This administration method is able to minimize the dose of Aln in order to avoid both systemic and local adverse effects as well as the local injection times during the bone healing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic resonance imaging of the breast supplies much information concerning the signal characteristics of a lesion. Among these, high signal intensity on non-fat saturated T1-weighted imaging (WI) is a special finding. Such a finding may result from different causes, such as a paramagnetic substance or fatty, bloody or proteinaceous content. In this article, we present hyperintense breast lesions on T1-WI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Hypothesis: This study aimed to document intraoperative and early postoperative complications associated with the use of vaginal mesh with trocar in pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair. Methods: This is a retrospective review of 120 cases of vaginal repair of POP using vaginal mesh. Of the 120 patients, 31 underwent anterior mesh repair (Light mesh 10, Avaulta 1, Perigee 1, and Prolift 19); 35 underwent posterior mesh repair (Light mesh 2, Posterior IVS 17, and Prolift 16); and 54 underwent anterior and posterior mesh (total) repair (Light mesh 8, Prolift 32, and Prolift M 14). Results: Three bladder injuries (2.5%) and one distal rectal injury (0.8%) occurred during dissection. Three of four organ injuries (75%) had previous prolapse repair. Overall four patients (3%) required transfusion. Urinary retention exceeding 5 days occurred in four patients. Three of them (60%) also underwent TVT-O. Groin pain occurred in two patients one of whom underwent TVT-O. Gluteal pain occurred in one patient. Early mesh exposure occurred in the vaginal cuff of a patient who underwent hysterectomy. Conclusions: The vaginal mesh procedures may be done with relatively few perioperative complications. However, there is a need for more randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-up to clarify its postoperative long-term complications and morbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Juvenile papillomatosis is a rare disease affecting young women. Here we present magnetic resonance imaging features of two cases with histopathologically proven juvenile papillomatosis of the breast and review some of the relevant literature. Case 1 exhibited bilateral, well-bordered breast masses, with complex cystic and solid components. The kinetic evaluation showed continuous and plateau patterns. Case 2 featured a giant mass with a few cystic and many solid nodular components and filled the entire right breast. The kinetic evaluation showed a continuous curve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pedunculated submucosal myomas are generally associated with infertility and are most often encountered during the preconception period. This report describes a 38-y-old pregnant woman in whom a pedunculated submucosal myoma resulted in preterm labor and was successfully removed vaginally at 26 wk gestation. The procedure described here is simple and quick and can be performed during pregnancy, if necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]