Ultrasound-assisted Endoscopic Evacuation of Recurrent Calf Hematoma Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Case Study

Hematoma of the calf is a rare complication following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The golden standard method of its treatment is puncture and aspiration. More advanced procedures are needed in difficult cases, such as prolonged he-ma-tomas. Among the novel management choices is endoscopy with ultrasound guidance. The aim of the study was to present the management of a post-surgical hematoma of the calf using endoscopic and ultrasound-assisted surgery. A 48-year-old patient un-der-went arthroscopic ACLR grafted with hamstrings tendons (semitendinosus and gracilis). Due to a hematoma developing at the donor site, he experienced edema and paresthesiae of the calf and foot that enhanced over time. An open reoperation failed and symptoms recurred. A second reoperation was performed as an endoscopic and ultrasound-assisted mini-invasive procedure. Re-sults were assessed postoperatively using the IKDC 2000 and Lysholm questionnaires. An evident increase in IKDC 2000 Score (from 14.9 points after open surgery to 77.0 one week after endoscopic treatment) and Lysholm Scale (26 points after first surgery and 84 one week after endoscopic surgery) was observed after the mini-invasive procedure. Edema and paresthesiae of the affect-ed limb completely disappeared four weeks after endoscopy. No complications of the novel procedure were found. Accordingly, en-doscopic and ultrasound-assisted evacuation of a prolonged calf hematoma appears an effective minimally-invasive and tar-geted procedure.

Self-Enhancement of Rotating Magnetocaloric Effect in Anisotropic Two-Dimensional (2D) Cyanido-Bridged MnII-NbIV Molecular Ferrimagnet

The rotating magnetocaloric effect (RMCE) is a new issue in the field of magnetic refrigeration. We have explored this subject on the two-dimensional (2D) enantiopure {[Mn^II(R-mpm)₂]₂[Nb^IV(CN)₈]}·4H₂O (where mpm = α-methyl-2-pyridinemethanol) coordination ferrimagnet. In this study, the magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of single crystals were investigated along the bc//H easy plane and the a*//H hard axis. The observed small easy plane anisotropy is due to the dipole-dipole interactions. For fields higher than 0.5 T, no significant difference in the magnetocaloric effect between both geometries was noticed. The maximal magnetic entropy change for conventional effect was observed at 32 K and the magnetic field change μ₀ΔH = 5.0 T attaining the value of ∼5 J mol^-1 K^-1. The obtained maximal value of -ΔS_m is comparable to previously reported results for polycrystalline octacyanidoniobate-based bimetallic coordination polymers. A substantial anisotropy of magnetocaloric effect between the easy plane and hard axis appears in low fields. This includes the presence of inverse magnetocaloric effect only for the a*//H direction. The difference between both geometries was used to study the rotating magnetocaloric effect. We show that the inverse part of magnetocaloric effect can be used to enhance the rotating magnetic entropy change up to 51%. This finding is of key importance for searching efficient materials for RMCE.

The role of endothelin-1 and its receptor blockers on the liver function

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) was first described by Yanagisawa et al. (1988) as a 21-amino acid peptide present in the extract from the aorta endothelial cells. It is known that ET-1 is one of the most potent vasoconstrictor compounds and also causes proliferation of many of the vascular cells involved in vascular remodeling. This peptide exerts its action through interactions with its membrane receptors - ETA and ETB. These receptors are expressed in the vascular smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, intestines and the brain. Secretion of ET-1 results in long-lasting vasoconstriction, increased blood pressure and, in turn, overproduction of free radicals. As dysregulation of the endothelin system is an important factor in the pathogenesis of several diseases including atherosclerosis, hypertension and endotoxic shock, the ETA and ETB receptors are attractive therapeutic targets for treatment of these disorders. Recently, several clinical trials have provided evidence that ET-1 receptor antagonism influences liver function and has therapeutic potential in the treatment of liver impairment. Therefore, this review summarizes recent clinical trials on the role of ET-1 receptor blockers with respect to the modulation of liver function.

[Influence of nuclear factor-kappa B inhibition on -SH groups concentration in liver of rats]

THE AIM OF THE STUDY

was to evaluate the influence of nuclear factor-kappaB inhibition on -SH groups concentration in liver of rat

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Experiments were performed on Wistar-Kyoto rats divided into following groups: group I (control) received saline; group II (ET-1) received endothelin 1 (12.5 microg/kg b.w.); Group III (BAY 11-7082) received a nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) inhibitor (10 mg/kg b.w.); Group IV (BAY 11-7082+ET-1) received a nuclear factor-kappa B inhibitor (10 mg/kg b.w.) and 30 min later ET-1 (12.5 microg/kg b.w.).

RESULTS

Administration of endothelin 1 (ET-1) at a dose 12.5 microg/kg b.w. resulted in a statistically significant decrease in the concentration of -SH groups (p < 0.05 vs control). In contrast, BAY11-7082 (10 mg/kg b.w.) significantly increased the level of -SH groups in the liver in ET-1 inquced oxidative stress (p < 0.02).

CONCLUSION

A nuclear factor-kappa B inhibitor (BAY 11-7082) at a dose 10 mg/kg b.w. showed a significant increase in the concentration of -SH groups in the liver, in ET-1 induced oxidative stress.

[The influence of endothelin-1 and endothelin receptor blocker on the content of white blood cells in the peripheral blood of rat]

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin receptor (ETA) blocker (BQ 123) on the content of white blood cells in the peripheral blood of rat.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Experiments were performed on Wistar rats divided into following groups: group I (control) received saline; group II (ET-1) received endothelin-1 (3 microg/kg b.w.); group III (BQ 123) received ETA receptor blocker (1 mg/kg b.w.); group IV (BQ 123+ET-1) received BQ 123 (1 mg/kg b.w) and 30 minutes later ET-1 (3 microg/kg b.w.). Peripheral blood was collected from animals at three time intervals to determine the content of white blood cells using a hematology analyzer MICROS OT 45.

RESULTS

Administration of ET-1 resulted in a statistically significant increase in the concentration of white blood cells after 1 hour after administration, compared with the control group. Contrast, administration of a specific blocker of ETA (BQ 123) reduced the leukocyte content after 1 and 5 hours after administration of ET-1.

CONCLUSION

Intravenous administration of ET-1 significantly increased the content of white blood cells in peripheral blood of rat via the ETA receptor since reversed its blockage caused the change.

[The influence of lipoic acid on total protein concentration in the liver and spleen tissue in rats during lipopolysaccharide-induced oxidative stress]

THE AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the influence of lipoic acid on total protein concentration in the liver and spleen in rats during endotoxemia.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Experiments were performed on Wistar rats divided into following groups: Group I (control) received saline; Group II (LA) received lipoic acid (60 mg/kg b.w.); Group III (LPS) received lipopolysaccharide (30 mg/kg b.w.); Group IV (LPS+LA) received LPS (30 mg/kg b.w.) and 30 min later LA (60 mg/kg b.w.). Five hours after last injection rats were sacrificed, and the liver and spleen were harvested for subsequent total protein assay.

RESULTS

Lipoic acid administration led to a significant increase in total protein concentration in the liver and spleen tissue of endotoxemic rats when compared to control.

CONCLUSION

Lipoic acid administration during early phase of LPS-induced oxidative stress increase protein level in the liver and spleen tissue, which indicate an increase of antioxidant properties of an organism.

[Role of lipoic acid in health and disease]

Oxidative stress disturbs organism's homeostasis and leads to excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Researchers are still focused on antioxidants that help to reduce oxidative stress level and are helpful in treatment of diseases were ROS overproduction is observed. Among those antioxidants is lipoic acid (LA). When applied systemically LA accumulates in tissues and is converted to dihyrolipoic acid (DHLA) by lipoamide dehydrogenase. Both LA and DHLA are biologically active. LA scavenges hydroxyl radical, subchloric acid and singlet oxygen. Moreover, LA is able to chelate transient ions. Therefore, LA is used in diabetic nephropaties, fungi or heavy metal intoxication, liver diseases, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. This review surveys the antioxidant ability of LA and its role in pathological states where increased concentration of ROS is observed.