Ultrastructure, transparency and nutrition of the corneal epithelium in the adult rabbit

The present work aimed to study the ultrastructure of the corneal epithelium of the adult rabbit by the electron microscope in an attempt to gain some insight into the structural-functional relationships. Five young adult male rabbits of domesticated New Zeal and white strain were used in this study. The surface epithelium of the rabbit cornea presented fine irregular microvilli and microplicae with a layer of glycoprotein spread over the surface of the corneal epithelium. There are three types of wing cells on the basis of electron density: Light, medium and dark. Between plasma membranes of the wing cells, many desmosomes, gap junctions and zonula adherens were observed. Hemidesmosomes and gap junctions were presented in the basal layer of cells, which established most of the junctional complexes with the basal lamina. The regular architecture of the corneal epithelium allows light to pass with minimal disruption. The squamous epithelial cells have large stores of glycogen that provide an energy reserve. Moreover, the tight junction in the corneal epithelium offers a significant barrier to ion diffusion across the epithelium

use of midazolam for attenuation of hypertensive response to endotracheal intubation in severe preeclampsia and its relation to neonatal condition at birth

The pressor response to intubation is known to be exaggerated in patients with severe preeclampsia. Twenty-Five women with severe preeclampsia who were scheduled to undergo caesarean section under general anesthesia were randomly assigned to either a midazolam pretreatment group [n = 15] and a control group [n = 10] who did not receive any antihypertensive therapy before the induction of anaesthesia. Patients in the mediazolam group received 0.1 mg kg[-1] intravenous midazolam 5 minutes before induction of anesthesia. Other control group received placebo intravenously. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded at various time intervals. There was significant decrease in mean arterial blood pressure [MAP] after pretreatment with midazlam [P < 0.01]. The increase in MAP during laryngoscopy and intubation was significantly higher in the control group compared with midazolm; pretreatment group [P < 0.01]. During laryngoscopy and intubation; MAP is decreased by 5 mmHg in the midazolam pretreatment group while there was an increase of 18 mmHg in the control group. Heart rate is significantly increased in both groups during laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation [P <0.01], but the increase was higher in the midazolam group. The neonatal Apgar scores were similar in two groups

External versus internal fixation in comminuted Colles fractures

A prospective comparative study of the results of external fixation using Richard's uniplanar fixator and mini AO plates both without bone grafting on 53 comminuted Colles fractures. Analysis of the results proved that supination is the most affected motion. Also, that final outcome has been much affected by the accuracy of initial reduction. External fixator yielded 74.1% satisfactory results, while plate fixation yielded 84.6% in terms of subjective, objective clinical and radiological measurements as compared to the injured limb

Thenar flap and free full-thickness graft in fingertip reconstruction

One of the most common injures in industrial communities is the fingertip injuries. They pose difficult problems to restore sensibility, function and adequate pad for pain free pinch. In this prospective study 34 patients with 39 fingertip injuries excluding the thumb were treated by one of two methods; The thenar flap and full thickness skin graft with subcutaneous fat. Taking the subcutaneous capillaries along with subcutaneous fat resulted in success of the graft that achieved a comparable result to the flap. The results of both methods were matching as regards taking, sensibility and pain free pinch. Moreover, the full mobility was achieved earlier in cases of grafts. Both techniques proved to be as reliable as new sophisticated methods. Furthermore, they were easier and less demanding and could be adopted by less experienced surgeons in less equipped casualty rooms