Evaluation of Histologic Changes of Facet Joint Cartilage and Nerve at the Sheep Postradiofrequency 60 and 120 Seconds After Exposure for Immediate, Three and Six Weeks

Introduction. Facet joint, also known as zygapophyseal joint, is considered as an important structure to play role as one of source of pain in the back that had been recognized since fifth decade ago. Radio frequency is one of treatment modality based on minimal invasive technique for back pain due to pathology of facet joint. Unfortunately, radiofrequency does not give permanent result, so it must be repeated in certain time. The radiofrequency works by producing heat thus it denervates nerve at facet joint. This heat can also destroy surrounding tissues, such as cartilage of facet joint that will further lead to source of back pain. The purpose of this research to evaluate and compare histology changes of facet joint nerve and cartilage of sheep that performed radiofrequency for different time and exposure. Material and methods. This is an experimental study that uses six sheeps as animal trial test. Radiofrequency was applied for 60 and 120 seconds for immediate, three and six weeks. Towards euthanasia, these sheep were given good care and observed for the effect of radiofrequency. After six weeks, these sheep were performed euthanasia then was evaluated histologically using neuropathology score for the nerve and modified-mankins score for the cartilage. Results. This experimental study showed that neuropathology score differed significantly between groups but for modified-mankin score, no difference was found. Besides, there is no negative effect of radiofrequency to six sheeps such as infection and paralysis of extremity. Conclusions. Radiofrequency does not give rise in infection, paralysis of extremity and death either for exposure 60 and 120 seconds clinically. Radiofrequency does not influence facet joint cartilage, only nerve histologically

Supplementation of fetal bovine serum alters histone modification H3R26me2 during preimplantation development of in vitro produced bovine embryos

Abstract In vitro production (IVP) of bovine embryos is not only of great economic importance to the cattle industry, but is also an important model for studying embryo development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the histone modification, H3R26me2 during pre-implantation development of IVP bovine embryos cultured with or without serum supplementation and how these in vitro treatments compared to in vivo embryos at the morula stage. After in vitro maturation and fertilization, bovine embryos were cultured with either 0 or 2.5% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Development was evaluated and embryos were collected and fixed at different stages during development (2-, 4-, 8-, 16-cell, morula and blastocyst). Fixed embryos were then used for immunofluorescence utilizing an antibody for H3R26me2. Images of stained embryos were analyzed as a percentage of total DNA. Embryos cultured with 2.5% FBS developed to blastocysts at a greater rate than 0%FBS groups (34.85±5.43% vs. 23.38±2.93%; P<0.05). Levels of H3R26me2 changed for both groups over development. In the 0%FBS group, the greatest amount of H3R26me2 staining was at the 4-cell (P<0.05), 16-cell (P<0.05) and morula (P<0.05) stages. In the 2.5%FBS group, only 4-cell stage embryos were significantly higher than all other stages (P<0.01). Morula stage in vivo embryos had similar levels as the 0%FBS group, and both were significantly higher than the 2.5%FBS group. These results suggest that the histone modification H3R26me2 is regulated during development of pre-implantation bovine embryos, and that culture conditions greatly alter this regulation

Multiple myeloma presenting with acquired factor VIII inhibitor

An initial presentation of hematological malignancies associated with autoantibodies is not common, and there is only one documented case of multiple myeloma presenting with acquired FVIII inhibitor for multiple myeloma. In this paper, we describe a second case of multiple myeloma who presented with acquired FVIII inhibitor. A 43-year-old woman was referred to our hematology unit for anemia and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Two months before her admission, she had undergone an operation at a local hospital because of ovarian cyst rupture complicated by severe postoperative bleeding. Because coagulation tests had revealed a prolonged partial thromboplastin time which could not be corrected by a mixing test and a decreased FVIII level, a diagnosis of acquired FVIII inhibitor had been made. The patient was hospitalized in our unit for further evaluation. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 110 mm/h, serum albumin level 2.5 g/dL, globulin level 5.6 g/dL, and C-reactive protein 47.8 mg/L (0-6). Serum IgG was high, and serum protein electrophoresis showed a monoclonal spike in the gamma region. An IgG-kappa paraprotein was identified by immunofixation of the urine and serum. X-ray films of the bones revealed lytic areas in the skull, pelvis, and lumbar vertebrae. Bone marrow aspiration showed normal cellularity with 40% plasma cell infiltration. The patient was diagnosed with the IgG kappa type of multiple myeloma associated with acquired FVIII inhibitor. In patients presenting with severe bleeding, autoantibodies against FVIII should be considered for the differential diagnosis of bleeding. Clinicians should be alert to the presence of rare underlying neoplastic diseases such as multiple myeloma, in patients with acquired FVIII inhibitor. © 2009 The Japanese Society of Hematology

Mapping the potential distribution of Rhododendron arboreum Sm. ssp. nilagiricum (Zenker) Tagg (Ericaceae), an endemic plant using ecological modeling

International audienceRhododendron arboreum Sm. ssp. nilagiricum (Zenker) Tagg, a tree species endemic to the southern Western Ghats of peninsular India, is restricted to a narrow topographic and bioclimatic niche. Since information on ecological and geographic extent of the species is lacking, we used Genetic Algorithm for Rule-set Prediction (GARP), an ecological niche modelling (ENM) method to model its spatial distribution. The model is developed based on its occurrence in the Western Ghats, in relation to topographic and environmental variables. Prediction of R. arboreum ssp. nilagiricum in the Western Ghats is strongly related to local climatic conditions in terms of annual temperature, precipitation and diurnal temperature ranges and not so much dependent on altitudinal variations. The numerous bioclimatic, topographic and anthropogenic factors have led to the formation of islands of species distribution, restricted to the Nilgiri, Anamalai, Palni and Meghamalai hills of the Western Ghats. Predictions allow identification of key areas for in situ conservation of the species and prioritize areas falling in the ecological extent of the species for conservation