Wound dressing membranes based on immobilized Anisaldehyde onto (chitosan-GA-gelatin) copolymer: In-vitro and in-vivo evaluations.

Herein, wound dressing membranes based on covalently linked Chitosan (Ch) to Gelatin (GE) via Glutaraldehyde (GA) to have (Ch-GA-GE) copolymer have been developed. In addition, Anisaldehyde (An) was immobilized onto Ch-GA-GE to has An-(Ch-GA-GE) membrane. The changes of the Ch-GA-GE membranes wettability, from 26 ± 1.3° to 45.3 ± 2.27° of the An-(Ch-GA-GE) copolymer membrane, indicating the reduction of copolymers hydrophilicity. The thermal characterization was done using TGA and DSC, while the morphological analysis was done using SEM. The antibacterial properties were assessed against four bacterial strains (P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, Streptococcus, and E. coli). In-vitro evaluation of the fabricated membranes to be used as wound dressings was investigated by measuring their hemocompatibility, cytotoxicity, and biodegradability. Finally, the in-vivo assessment of the developed membranes to encourage skin regeneration was assessed utilizing adult Wistar albino rats. The results illustrated that the An-(Ch-GA-GE) copolymer membranes significantly enhanced the rat's full-thickness injuries, as monitored by reducing the wound region. Furthermore, histological analyses of the injuries covered with An-(Ch-GA-GE) membranes demonstrated a notable re-epithelialisation contrasted with wounds treated with the cotton gauze Ch-GA-GE membranes dressings proving the efficiency of Anisaldehyde. Those findings indicate that the An-(Ch-GA-GE) membrane has considerable potential for wound healing and skin regeneration.

Unlinked elbow arthroplasty as primary treatment for fractures of the distal humerus.

This study reviews our experience with primary total elbow arthroplasty in the management of acute distal humeral fractures by use of the iBP unlinked elbow prosthesis. We followed up 9 elbows in 9 patients (including 2 with rheumatoid arthritis), with a mean age of 73 years, for a mean of 3.5 years. Functional outcome was assessed with the Mayo Elbow Performance Score and the recently developed Liverpool Elbow Score. Clinical examination and radiologic assessment were performed by an independent surgeon. All elbows were stable at the latest follow-up examination, all patients were able to perform daily activities, and pain relief was satisfactory. The median value for the Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 95 (range, 65-100). This is the first report of the use of an unlinked prosthesis for the treatment of distal humeral fractures. Our results show that this method of treatment provides a reliable and effective way of dealing with these very difficult fractures when internal fixation is not a viable option.

Limb malformations in the cloverleaf skull anomaly.

An Egyptian child with the rare cloverleaf skull anomaly had associated limb malformations which suggested that he had the Pfeiffer syndrome with severe skull involvement. The cloverleaf skull is an anomaly which may occur as a part of several syndromes. Careful study of skeletal changes, particularly limb malformations, may be the clue to the different syndromes with which cloverleaf skull may be associated.