Astrocytic factors protect neuronal integrity and reduce microglial activation in an in vitro model of N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced excitotoxic injury in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures.

Acute CNS lesions lead to neuronal injury and a parallel glial activation that is accompanied by the release of neurotoxic substances. The extent of the original neuronal damage can therefore be potentiated in a process called secondary damage. As astrocytes are known to secrete immunomodulatory and neuroprotective substances, we investigated whether astrocytic factors can attenuate the amount of neuronal injury as well as the degree of microglial activation in a model of excitotoxic neurodegeneration.

Autologous osteochondral transplantation using the diamond bone-cutting system (DBCS): 6-12 years' follow-up of 35 patients with osteochondral defects at the knee joint.

Thirty-five patients with severe osteochondral defects were treated by autologous osteochondral transplantation between 1986 and 1992. The majority of patients (27) suffered from osteochondrosis dissecans, while 8 patients presented with posttraumatic osteochondral defects. The grafts were harvested with a diamond bone cutter from the posterior part of the medial or lateral femoral condyle.

Astrocytic factors down-regulate the expression of major histocompatibility complex-class-II and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 on human monocytes.

Several factors contribute to the maintenance of central nervous system immune privilege and astrocytes have been identified as a major source of immunomodulatory cytokines. To investigate whether hematogenous monocytes are immunologically deactivated by astrocyte-derived factors human monocytes were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide or interferon (IFN)-gamma and treated with the supernatant from pure astrocyte cultures, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, or with IL-1-receptor antagonist (1L-1-RA). Flow cytometry demonstrated that the supernatant from astrocyte cultures was the most potent agent in reducing the levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-class-II- as well as intercellular adhesion molecule-1-expression, whereas IL-4, IL-10, and IL-1-RA had only marginal effects.

Prostaglandin E2 induces expression of P-selectin (CD62P) on cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells and enhances endothelial binding of CD4-T-cells.

Interaction of endothelial P-selectin with sialyl Lewis(x)-glycoprotein or P-selectin glycoprotein ligand (PSGL)-1 on leukocytes represents an early step in leukocyte recruitment. Redistribution of P-selectin to the endothelial cell surface occurs rapidly after challenge with several proinflammatory agents, for example, histamine, leucopterins, or lipopolysaccharide. We present evidence that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is an efficient inductor of surface P-selectin on cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).

Isolated serratus anterior paralysis: a simple surgical procedure to reestablish scapulo-humeral dynamics.

We present an original surgical technique for the treatment of an isolated paralysis of the serratus anterior muscle. We used this technique on six patients in whom nonoperative treatment failed. We fixed the inferior angle of the scapula at approximately 35 degrees of lateral position with synthetic ribbon: not to the rib behind the inferior scapular angle but to the next lower rib, usually the eighth.

Surgical prevention of paralytic dislocation of the hip in cerebral palsy.

Paralytic dislocation of the hip in cerebral palsy may be prevented by soft tissue surgery and the results of two procedures are reported. Twenty hips were treated by adductor tenotomy alone and this was unsuccessful in every case. An alternative method was carried out in 42 hips in 25 patients.

Interphalangeal dislocations of the fingers treated by an elastic double-finger bandage.

A prospective trial of dislocations of the interphalangeal joints of fingers treated by elastic double-finger bandage showed good final results with an almost normal range of motion. The method is found pleasant by the patient, being hygienic and causing no kind of skin reaction.

Alternative conservative treatment of mallet-finger injuries by elastic double-finger bandage.

A prospective trial of mallet-finger injuries treated conservatively by elastic double-finger bandage showed no disadvantages compared to other kinds of conservative treatment. The method is agreeable for the patient, being hygienic and causing no kind of skin irritation.