Existence of Positive Solution for a Singular Fourth–Order Differential System

This paper investigates the existence of positive solutions for a fourth-order differential system using a fixed point theorem of cone expansion and compression type.

Small Bowel Hernia due to a Blunt Pelvic Injury

A 91-year-old female presented to Chonnam National University Hospital Regional Trauma Center with a lateral compression type III fracture of the pelvis. She was managed non-operatively for a week in the intensive care unit under close observation and had an emergency operation due to delayed onset of an acute obstructed direct inguinal hernia. Traumatic abdominal wall hernias are rare. However, trauma surgeons should always be aware of the possibility of such injuries because of their critical consequences.

Classification of Zagros earthquakes based on focal mechanism

The Zagros suture zone is seismically active region in Iranian plateau. This region is of high importance in terms of seismicity, since it is a vast and populated region and in recent years the earthquakes with high intensities have frequently occurred and have caused extensive destruction and heavy human loss. The study of the focal mechanism is very important in understanding the seismotectonic characteristics. Focal mechanisms of Zagros were collected over a period of 20 years and they were classified by FMC software. Seven groups were considered for the type of faulting and Zagros was divided into three zones. For each zone, the frequency percentage of each group of faults was determined. The most of faulting are of the reverse and compression type with the strike-slip component. Finally, the role of nodal plane selection in determining the type of faulting was discussed and it was found that the selection of each nodal plane in determining the type of faulting has the same result.

Poloxamer 188 Exerts Direct Protective Effects on Mouse Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells in an In Vitro Traumatic Brain Injury Model

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), the main contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide, can disrupt the cell membrane integrity of the vascular endothelial system, endangering blood–brain barrier function and threatening cellular subsistence. Protection of the vascular endothelial system might enhance clinical outcomes after TBI. Poloxamer 188 (P188) has been shown to improve neuronal function after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury as well as after TBI. We aimed to establish an in vitro compression-type TBI model, comparing mild-to-moderate and severe injury, to observe the direct effects of P188 on Mouse Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells (MBEC). Confluent MBEC were exposed to normoxic or hypoxic conditions for either 5 or 15 h (hours). 1 h compression was added, and P188 was administered during 2 h reoxygenation. A direct effect of P188 on MBEC was tested by assessing cell number/viability, cytotoxicity/membrane damage, metabolic activity, and total nitric oxide production (tNOp). While P188 enhanced cell number/viability, metabolic activity, and tNOp, an increase in cytotoxicity/membrane damage after mild-to-moderate injury was prevented. In severely injured MBEC, P188 improved metabolic activity only. P188, present during reoxygenation, influenced MBEC function directly in simulated I/R and compression-type TBI.

The traditional experience strategy (TES) and combined ultrasonography examination (CUE) for the treatment of lateral compression type 1 pelvic fractures: a historical control study

Background It is difficult to judge the stability of lateral compression type-1 (LC-1) pelvic fracture, as it is often based on static images of the pelvis. Compared with the traditional experience strategy, ultrasonography examination may be able to distinguish operative and conservative patients before definitive treatment. However, in previous studies, we have not compared the outcomes between traditional experience strategy (TES group) and combined ultrasonography examination (CUE group). Thus, the aim of the study is comparing the differences between TES and CUE strategy, to identify the value of ultrasonography examination. Methods Medical records system for patients with LC-1 pelvic fractures who were treated with TES and CUE strategy were included. Patients’ baseline characteristics, treatment strategy, and function were recorded at follow-up. Functional outcomes were evaluated using the Majeed grading system. Results In total, 77 patients with LC-1 pelvic fractures were included in the study. There were 42 and 35 patients in TES and CUE group, respectively. Compared to TES group (69 %), there were less proportion patients chosen the operative treatment in CUE group (43 %, P = 0.021). The volume of intraoperative blood loss in CUE operative group was more than TES operative group (P = 0.037). There were more patients with complete sacral fracture in CUE operative group than TES operative group (P = 0.002). The Majeed scores in CUE conservative group was higher than TES conservative group (P = 0.008). The overall Majeed scores in CUE group was higher than that in TES group (P = 0.039). Conclusions The ultrasonography examination could relatively accurately identify the unstable LC-1 pelvis than the traditional experience strategy, the operative rate could be reduced and the overall function of LC-1 patients could be improved under the ultrasonography examination. Level of evidence Level III.