Injury
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Most animal studies of muscle contractile function utilise the anterior or posterior crural muscle (dorsiflexors and plantarflexors, respectively). An advantage to using these muscles is that the common fibular and tibial nerves are readily accessible, while the small size of the crural muscles is a disadvantage. Working with small muscles not only makes some in vivo imaging and the muscle testing techniques more challenging, but also provides limited amounts of tissue to study. ⋯ This novel model shows that the quadriceps muscle provides a means to study whole muscle contractility, injury, and recovery in vivo. In addition to the usual benefits of an in vivo model, the larger size of the quadriceps facilitates in vivo imaging and provides a significant increase in the amount of tissue available for histology and biochemistry studies. A controlled muscle injury in the quadriceps also allows one to study a muscle, with mixed fibre types, which is extremely relevant to gait in humans and quadruped models.
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To establish the intra-operative radiographic parameters that predict the need for percutaneous wire fixation to prevent redisplacement following manipulation for displaced paediatric distal radius fractures. ⋯ If our criteria for optimal reduction are met, closed reduction and casting can be confidently employed. If not, percutaneous wires should be employed to avoid redisplacement, especially in cases with a high grade of initial translation.
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Autogenous bone grafts from the iliac crest are frequently harvested for autologous bone transplantation, because this is still the gold standard in the treatment of many bone defects. However, significant donor site morbidity must be considered. We have developed a simple method to treat the bone defect in the donor site in order to reduce some of the morbidity. In this method, the bone defect size and shape determines its application. ⋯ This method may be a recommendable option for bone defect reconstruction after iliac crest tricortical bone graft harvest as the primary procedure. The advantages of this technique are bone defect healing and bone contour restoration with prevention of a visible deformity over the groin, with no foreign material insertion, thus avoiding additional cost.
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Loss of oligodendrocytes and demyelination further impair neural function after spinal cord injury (SCI). Replacement of lost oligodendrocytes and improvement of myelination have a therapeutic significance in treatment of SCI. Here, we transplanted oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) to improve myelination in a rat model of contusive SCI. ⋯ They proliferated, integrated and differentiated in the injured cord. In the OPCs-treated rats, enhanced myelination in the lesioned area was observed and substantial improvement of motor function and nerve conduction was also recorded. Thus, this study provides strong evidence to support that transplantation of OPCs could improve myelination of injured cord and enhance functional recovery after contusive SCI.