Risk of tendon failure with repeated passage of Kirschner wires or hypodermic needles: an experimental study

During hand surgery, tendons may be at risk of damage. This biomechanical study aims to assess the risk of tendon rupture due to passage of Kirschner wires or hypodermic needles. Porcine extensor tendons were divided into four groups. Group 1: a control group was tested to ensure that repeated stress alone did not cause failure. Group 2a: 1.1-mm Kirschner wires were hand pushed through tendons 50 times and then stressed to 40 N, repeated until tendon failure. In Group 2b, K-wires were passed while rotating using a drill. Group 3: the experiment was repeated using a 20 G hypodermic needle. Group 2a tendons required a median of 2450 passes (1150–3500) to propagate failure, Group 2b a median of 2250 (1200–3850) and Group 3a median of 200 passes (150–450). The risk of tendon rupture from wires or hypodermic needles in procedures appears very low.

Production, Evaluation, Cultivation and In vitro Fertilization of Cattle Oocytes: Recent Trends in Reproductive Biotechnologies in Animal Breeding : A Review

The article presents the results of assessing reproductive biotechnology for cattle breeding. The issues of obtaining genetic material from bulls-producers and oocytes from donor cows, for their further cultivation and obtaining embryos, in order to replicate highly productive offspring from valuable animals, are considered. Oocyte production was analyzed in three different ways: puncture, section, and aspiration. A total number of 156 oocyte-cumulus complexes (OCCs) were collected out of 40 ovaries by puncture – 50 pcs, section – 47 pcs, and aspiration – 59 pcs. The results showed that puncture and section gave significantly higher total OCCs per an ovary (4.16 and 4.0, respectively) than aspiration (3.68), but a higher number of normal (grade A and B) OCCs per an ovary was observed with aspiration (2.5) than with puncture (1.82) and section (2.00). During aspiration, oocyte-cumulus complexes were collected from the surface of follicles with a diameter of 3 to 8 mm using a needle. During puncture, all surfaces were pierced with a hypodermic needle; during section, incisions were made along the entire ovarian surface with a scalpel, that is, all sizes of superficial follicles were collected. OCCs were divided into 4 classes based on cumulus and nucleus cells: grade A – oocytes completely surrounded by cumulus cells; Grade B – oocytes partially surrounded by cumulus cells; Grade C – oocytes not surrounded by cumulus cells; and grade D – degeneration observed in both oocyte and cumulus cells. Grades A and B were considered normal, while grades C and D were considered to be damaged. The obtained oocytes were cultured and fertilized in vitro, which means that their fertilization with sperm occurred under artificially maintained optimal conditions outside the body. Normal fertilization results are zygote formation with male and female pronuclei (PN). As a result of the conducted fertilization of 251 mature oocytes, 142 fertilizations were successful, which amounted to 56.57%.

Preparation and evaluation of polymeric beads composed of Chitosan–Gellan Gum–Gum Ghatti/-Gum Karaya polyelectrolyte complexes as polymeric carrier for enteric sustained delivery of Diclofenac sodium

Background An enteric coating is a multistep technique that involves deposition of a polymeric barrier over uncoated orally administered tablets to prevent them from dissolving or disintegrating in the stomach. However, as soon as the coating dissolves in the alkaline environment of intestine, the whole of the drug come in direct contact with gastric mucosa leading to irritation to distal parts of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Considering the above facts, there is clear need to develop a simple and effective enteric release formulation for gastric irritant drugs like Diclofenac sodium (DS). The goal of this study was to create enteric release polymeric polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) beads made up of cationic Chitosan (CH) and anionic Gellan Gum (GG) for sustained DS delivery to the intestine. The beads were prepared by extruding a solution of GG and Gum Ghatti (GT) or GG and Gum Karaya (GK) bearing DS into CH solution in 1% w/v acetic acid, with the help of a syringe fitted with a 18 gauge hypodermic needle. Results Instantly created spherical beads were dried in a hot air oven 60 °C overnight. In 0.1 M HCl and 6.8 pH phosphate buffer, the dried beads were tested for drug entrapment in the beads, in vitro swelling of beads and in vitro drug release studies from the beads. The % drug entrapment efficiencies (% DEE) of these PEC beads ranged from 59.54 ± 2.09 to 81.03 ± 4.22%. In 0.1 M HCl, the PEC beads swelled the least in vitro, but expanded significantly in phosphate buffer (pH 6.8). The in vitro release of Diclofenac sodium from different PEC beads in 0.1 M HCl was found to be less than 7.5 percent, whereas the release was sustained for 6 h in phosphate buffer (pH 6.8). Conclusions From the experimental data, it may be concluded that these PEC beads can be useful as potential multiple-unit enteric release polymeric carrier systems for sustained delivery of gastric irritant drugs like Diclofenac sodium.

MEDIA TRIALS IN THE DISCOURSE OF SERBIAN DAILY PRESS

In a contemporary and digital society we have been witnessing frequent changes and everything has become a commodity, even a piece of information. Whether it is news in the media or an opinion written on social media, information is transformed into a product that has its own price, consumers and market. Since the occurrence of the mass media, numerous communication theories have been emerging which try to interpret how content affects the construction of behavior, what type of message produces certain effects and what are the long-term consequences for the society? Applying the quantitative and qualitative content analysis of the front pages of the six daily newspapers in Serbia (Informer, Večernje novosti, Blic, Kurir, Danas and Alo) between January 17 and February 1, 2021 we investigated the characteristics of the models and narratives used in presenting the case of the well-known Serbian director and acting teacher, Miroslav Mika Aleksić, who has been accused of sexually abusing female students. Using the theory of the agenda, the framework theory, as well as the hypodermic needle model, we will try to provide an answer to the question – whether and to what extent we can “defend” ourselves from media opinions which keep “bombing” us every day and can the media “reach a verdict” before legal institutions.

Role of Microbial Enriched Vermicompost in Plant-Parasitic Nematode Management

Earthworm causes increase in availability of soil organic matter through degradation of dead matters by microbes, leaf litter and porocity of soil. Vermicompost is a non-thermophilic biodegradation process of waste organic material through the action of microorganism with earthworm. Vermicompost is rich in many nutrients including calcium, nitrates, phosphorus and soluble potassium, which are essentially required for plant growth. Different plant growth hormones like gibberellins, auxins and cytokinins are present in vermicompost, which has microbial origin. Nematodes are mostly small, colorless and microscopic organisms which remain under soil, fresh or marine water, plants or animals, and act as parasite in different conditions, while very few have direct effect on human. The nematodes which are parasitic on plants use plant tissues as their food. They have well developed spearing device, like a hypodermic needle called stylet. It is used to penetrate host cell membrane. Management of plant-parasitic-nematodes therefore is necessary and several means are adopted. Of which, use of bio-chemicals and organic compost have shown encouraging results and proved to be potential in suppressing the nematode population. Vermicompost plays an important role of soil fortification on growth characteristics, such as length, weight, root, shoot branches, number of leaves and metabolism of host plant against nematode infection. Vermicompost fortified plants showed increment in sugar, protein and lipid over untreated control. Increment of these metabolites helps treated plants to metabolically cope up the infection and promotes excessive plant growth. The vermicompost caused the mortality of nematodes by the release of nematicidal substances such as hydrogen sulfate, ammonia, and nitrite apart from promotion of the growth of nematode predatory fungi that attack their cysts. It favours rhizobacteria which produce toxic enzymes and toxins; or indirectly favors population of nematophagous microorganisms, bacteria, and fungi, which serve as food for predatory or omnivorous nematodes, or arthropods such as mites, which are selectively opposed to plant-parasitic nematodes.

Hypodermic needle to guide Kirschner-wire placement in paediatric supracondylar humerus fractures: a technical trick

Purpose Supracondylar humerus fractures are among the most common injuries in the paediatric population, accounting for 16% of all paediatric fractures and roughly 60% to 70% of all paediatric elbow fractures. Typical treatment for displaced and unstable supracondylar humerus fractures is surgical intervention, often with percutaneous Kirschner-wire (K-wire) fixation. Timing of surgery is dependent on the patient’s neurovascular status on presentation, with surgical emergencies being performed at all hours of day and night. Percutaneous fixation of paediatric elbow fractures can be challenging as a result of the propensity for the elbow to become quite swollen with these fractures, particularly in smaller and physiologically more immature elbows. Methods We have developed a simple operative technique to guide placement of percutaneous wires for supracondylar humerus fractures using a hypodermic needle as a reference marker. Results In our experience, trainees utilizing this technique demonstrate greater appreciation for start point and trajectory of wires during percutaneous pinning, with better communication amongst surgical team members about necessary adjustment for optimal placement of K-wires. Conclusion Utilization of this technique has the potential to refine surgical technique by minimizing errant wire passes, radiation and operative time when performing percutaneous pinning of reduced type III supracondylar humerus fractures. Level of Evidence V, Novel Surgical Technique

Pramoedya Ananta Toer's Novels on Independence Revolution from the Perspective of Journalistic Hegemony

The journalistic hegemony conceptual framework is an approach in the study of literary works in all genres. This framework functions on the principle that a literary work is a creative medium that comprises facts, data and reality that is fictionalized for the purpose of spreading information to its readers, similar to that of conventional media. Based on documentary research and content analysis, this study proves that Pramoedya Ananta Toer's novels on the theme of the Indonesian National Revolution (1945-1949)-Di Tepi Kali Bekasi (1951), Keluarga Gerilya (1955), Sekali Peristiwa di Banten Selatan (1963) and Larasati (2003)-are creative media intended to raise awareness among the Javanese marginal class. The focus of this study is to prove that Pramoedya Ananta Toer's novels are creative media designed to create hegemony and mental awareness, both intellectually and ideologically, in the social class he represents. The journalistic hegemony conceptual framework is based on the principle of comparative hegemony by Antonio Gramsci and the communication theory. The hypodermic needle theory places these novels on revolution by Pramoedya Ananta Toer as having the function of spreading information creatively in order to raise awareness and subsequently free the marginal class of false consciousness nurtured by the traditional bureaucratic elites and Dutch colonizers in Java.