Challenges in creating dissectible anatomical 3D prints for surgical teaching.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing, or additive manufacturing, is now a widely used tool in pre-operative planning, surgical teaching and simulator training. However, 3D printing technology that produces models with accurate haptic feedback, biomechanics and visuals for the training surgeon is not currently available. Challenges and opportunities in creating such surgical models will be discussed in this review paper.

Fournier's gangrene - delayed pedicle flap based upon the anterior abdominal wall.

Introduction: Fournier's gangrene is a poly-microbial necrotizing fasciitis that involves the perineum and/or external genitalia. Urgent surgical debridement is well recognized as essential acute treatment yet unique challenges arise for plastic surgical reconstruction to obtain a complete functional recovery. This case describes a successful delayed pedicle flap repair based upon the anterior abdominal wall.

Trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition: a minimum 10-year follow-up.

Purpose: To investigate the long-term (> 10 yrs) outcomes of trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition (LRTI).

Methods: We reviewed 15 cases of trapeziectomy with LRTI performed for the treatment trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis. Mean follow up was 13.

Late complications of clinical clostridium histolyticum collagenase use in Dupuytren's disease.

Introduction: While Dupuytren's disease can cause disabling contractures requiring open surgery, a less-invasive option using Clostridium Histolyticum collagenase (CHC) via percutaneous injection was recently reported. A recent prospective, randomized trial demonstrated few complications during 90 days follow-up, however did not assess any longer term follow-up for these patients. Long-term outcomes in this setting have not been adequately reported, and the current manuscript aims to identify late complications from the clinical use of percutaneous CHC.

Mercury in mosses Hylocomium splendens (Hedw.) B.S.G. and Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt. from Poland and Alaska: understanding the origin of pollution sources.

This report shows baseline concentrations of mercury in the moss species Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi from the Kielce area and the remaining Holy Cross Mountains (HCM) region (south-central Poland), and Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park and Preserve (Alaska) and Denali National Park and Preserve (Alaska). Like mosses from many European countries, Polish mosses were distinctly elevated in Hg, bearing a signature of cross-border atmospheric transport combined with local point sources. In contrast, Alaskan mosses showed lower Hg levels, reflecting mostly the underlying geology.

In vitro studies evaluating leaching of mercury from mine waste calcine using simulated human body fluids.

In vitro bioaccessibility (IVBA) studies were carried out on samples of mercury (Hg) mine-waste calcine (roasted Hg ore) by leaching with simulated human body fluids. The objective was to estimate potential human exposure to Hg due to inhalation of airborne calcine particulates and hand-to-mouth ingestion of Hg-bearing calcines. Mine waste calcines collected from Hg mines at Almaden, Spain, and Terlingua, Texas, contain Hg sulfide, elemental Hg, and soluble Hg compounds, which constitute primary ore or compounds formed during Hg retorting.

Free deep circumflex iliac artery vascularised bone flap for reconstruction of the distal radius: planning with CT angiography.

Distal radius fractures in the younger population are often comminuted and intra-articular, which can increase the complexity of their management. In addition, these patients tend to place high demands on their wrists, and the prevention of functional arthritis necessitates excellent anatomical reduction. Complicated cases such as these are often limited in their management options.

Exposure of insects and insectivorous birds to metals and other elements from abandoned mine tailings in three Summit County drainages, Colorado.

Concentrations of 31 metals, metalloids, and other elements were measured in insects and insectivorous bird tissues from three drainages with different geochemistry and mining histories in Summit Co., Colorado, in 2003, 2004, and 2005. In insect samples, all 25 elements that were analyzed in all years increased in both Snake and Deer Creeks in the mining impacted areas compared to areas above and below the mining impacted areas.

Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in surface soils, Pueblo, Colorado: implications for population health risk.

Decades of intensive industrial and agricultural practices as well as rapid urbanization have left communities like Pueblo, Colorado facing potential health threats from pollution of its soils, air, water and food supply. To address such concerns about environmental contamination, we conducted an urban geochemical study of the city of Pueblo to offer insights into the potential chemical hazards in soil and inform priorities for future health studies and population interventions aimed at reducing exposures to inorganic substances. The current study characterizes the environmental landscape of Pueblo in terms of heavy metals, and relates this to population distributions.

A cDNA clone for beta-caryophyllene synthase from Artemisia annua.

An homology-based cloning strategy yielded a full-length cDNA from Artemisia annua that encoded a protein of 60.3 kDa which resembled a sesquiterpene synthase in sequence. Heterologous expression of the gene in Escherichia coli provided a soluble recombinant enzyme capable of catalyzing the divalent metal ion-dependent conversion of farnesyl diphosphate to beta-caryophyllene, a sesquiterpene olefin found in the essential oil of A.

Cadmium toxicity among wildlife in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

Cadmium is known to be both extremely toxic and ubiquitous in natural environments. It occurs in almost all soils, surface waters and plants, and it is readily mobilized by human activities such as mining. As a result, cadmium has been named as a potential health threat to wildlife species; however, because it exists most commonly in the environment as a trace constituent, reported incidences of cadmium toxicity are rare.

(3R)-Linalool synthase from Artemisia annua L.: cDNA isolation, characterization, and wound induction.

Artemisia annua is an annual herb used in traditional Chinese medicine. A cDNA library was constructed from leaves of A. annua seedlings and target sequences were amplified by PCR using degenerate primers derived from a consensus sequence of angiosperm terpene synthases.

Cloning, expression, and characterization of epi-cedrol synthase, a sesquiterpene cyclase from Artemisia annua L.

Sesquiterpene cyclases (synthases) catalyze the conversion of the isoprenoid intermediate farnesyl diphosphate to various sesquiterpene structural types. In plants, many sesquiterpenes are produced as defensive chemicals (phytoalexins) or mediators of chemical communication (i.e.

Terpenoid-based defenses in conifers: cDNA cloning, characterization, and functional expression of wound-inducible (E)-alpha-bisabolene synthase from grand fir (Abies grandis).

(E)-alpha-Bisabolene synthase is one of two wound-inducible sesquiterpene synthases of grand fir (Abies grandis), and the olefin product of this cyclization reaction is considered to be the precursor in Abies species of todomatuic acid, juvabione, and related insect juvenile hormone mimics. A cDNA encoding (E)-alpha-bisabolene synthase was isolated from a wound-induced grand fir stem library by a PCR-based strategy and was functionally expressed in Escherichia coli and shown to produce (E)-alpha-bisabolene as the sole product from farnesyl diphosphate. The expressed synthase has a deduced size of 93.

Germacrene C synthase from Lycopersicon esculentum cv. VFNT cherry tomato: cDNA isolation, characterization, and bacterial expression of the multiple product sesquiterpene cyclase.

Germacrene C was found by GC-MS and NMR analysis to be the most abundant sesquiterpene in the leaf oil of Lycopersicon esculentum cv. VFNT Cherry, with lesser amounts of germacrene A, guaia-6,9-diene, germacrene B, beta-caryophyllene, alpha-humulene, and germacrene D. Soluble enzyme preparations from leaves catalyzed the divalent metal ion-dependent cyclization of [1-3H]farnesyl diphosphate to these same sesquiterpene olefins, as determined by radio-GC.

Sesquiterpene synthases from grand fir (Abies grandis). Comparison of constitutive and wound-induced activities, and cDNA isolation, characterization, and bacterial expression of delta-selinene synthase and gamma-humulene synthase.

Grand fir (Abies grandis) has been developed as a model system for the study of oleoresin production in response to stem wounding and insect attack. The turpentine fraction of the oleoresin was shown to contain at least 38 sesquiterpenes that represent 12.5% of the turpentine, with the monoterpenes comprising the remainder.

Isolation and bacterial expression of a sesquiterpene synthase cDNA clone from peppermint (Mentha x piperita, L.) that produces the aphid alarm pheromone (E)-beta-farnesene.

(E)-beta-Farnesene is a sesquiterpene semiochemical that is used extensively by both plants and insects for communication. This acyclic olefin is found in the essential oil of peppermint (Mentha x piperita) and can be synthesized from farnesyl diphosphate by a cell-free extract of peppermint secretory gland cells. A cDNA from peppermint encoding (E)-beta-farnesene synthase was cloned by random sequencing of an oil gland library and was expressed in Escherichia coli.

Partial purification and characterization of a monoterpene cyclase, limonene synthase, from the liverwort Ricciocarpos natans.

4S-(-)-limonene is the major monoterpene accumulated by the liverwort Ricciocarpos natans, and a cell-free extract from this nonvascular plant cultured in vitro catalyzes the cyclization of geranyl diphosphate to limonene. The time course of limonene synthase activity parallels cultured growth but shows a maximum in specific activity in the lag phase following transfer to fresh medium. The operationally soluble enzyme was partially purified by combination of anion-exchange and hydroxylapatite chromatography.

Research note: the Lions Cancer Institute and the Western Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons skin cancer screening programme.

Background: The Lions Cancer Institute, Perth, and the Western Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons have been investigating the feasibility of community based skin cancer screening. Members of the community responded to newspaper advertisements to attend free skin cancer screening events. This report presents preliminary results obtained from the methods development programme.

Production and characterization of polyclonal antibodies in rabbits to 4S-limonene synthase from spearmint (Mentha spicata).

Limonene synthase, a monoterpene cyclase from the oil glands of spearmint (Mentha spicata) leaves that catalyzes the conversion of geranyl pyrophosphate to (-)-4S-limonene, was purified, and polyclonal antibodies were generated in rabbits against the sodium dodecyl sulfate-denatured protein. Immunoblotting analysis revealed that the antibodies were very specific for denatured limonene synthase from all Mentha species tested. However, no immunological cross-reactivity was observed with denatured limonene synthases from Valencia oranges (Citrus sinensis, Rutaceae) or wormseed (Chenopodium ambrosioides, Chenopodiaceae).

A vascularised periosteal flap: anatomical study.

Twenty-seven anatomical studies were done to elucidate the periosteal blood supply on the lateral surface of the shaft of the tibia. The dissection of a vascularised periosteal flap is described. The applications of this flap are discussed in the light of previous clinical and experimental reports on periosteal flaps and a successful clinical case is detailed.

Tissue expanded free flaps.

Over the last few years there have been various reports of the use of tissue expanders as an adjunct to microvascular free transfer of tissue. This study looks at the effect of expanding the actual flap prior to transfer. Two case reports are given and it is proposed that expanded free flaps are large and thin.