Externally applied force helps reduce bowstring effect of flexors in patients with carpal tunnel release surgery.

Background: Patients with severe carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) undergo carpal tunnel release (CTR) surgery to alleviate pressure in the carpal tunnel. However, the subsequent lack of the transverse carpal ligament (TCL) causes the bowstring phenomenon of the flexor tendons and increases the potential incidence of trigger finger.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of various compressive forces on the flexor tendon and identify the appropriate force needed to mitigate the bowstring effect of those flexors.

Systematic Review of Diagnostic Sensors for Intra-Abdominal Pressure Monitoring.

Intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is defined as the steady-state pressure within the abdominal cavity. Elevated IAP has been implicated in many medical complications. This article reviews the current state-of-the-art in innovative sensors for the measurement of IAP.

An Ingestible Electronics for Continuous and Real-Time Intraabdominal Pressure Monitoring.

Abdominal compartment syndrome can be treated through decompressive surgery if intraabdominal hypertension (IAH) can be detected in time. Treatment delays due to manual, conventional intravesical pressure (IVP) monitoring using a Foley catheter have been reported. In this work, we present an innovative gastrointestinal intraluminal pressure (GIP) measurement-based method to monitor and improve pressure-guided relief of intraabdominal pressure (IAP).

Overexpression of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Enhanced the Osteogenic Capability of Aging Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Many studies have indicated that loss of the osteoblastogenic potential in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (bmMSCs) is the major component in the etiology of the aging-related bone deficit. But how the bmMSCs lose osteogenic capability in aging is unclear. Using 2-dimentional cultures, we examined the dose response of human bmMSCs, isolated from adult and aged donors, to exogenous insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a growth factor regulating bone formation.

Effect of Astragalus membranaceus in rats on peripheral nerve regeneration: in vitro and in vivo studies.

Background: This study provides in vitro and in vivo evaluation of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) on peripheral nerve regeneration.

Methods: In the in vitro study, we analyzed the effects of AM on cell differentiation and neurite outgrowth by using a PC12 cell model. In the in vivo study, silicone rubber chambers filled with the AM water extract were used to bridge a 10-mm sciatic nerve defect in rats.

Highly permeable genipin-cross-linked gelatin conduits enhance peripheral nerve regeneration.

Here we have evaluated peripheral nerve regeneration with a porous biodegradable nerve conduit (PGGC), which was made from genipin-cross-linked gelatin. To examine the effect of pores, nonporous genipin-cross-linked gelatin conduit (GGC) was considered as the control. Both the PGGC and the GGC were dark blue in appearance with a concentric and round lumina.