Comparison of in vitro (chicken-skin membrane) versus in vivo (live hamster) blood-feeding methods for maintenance of colonized Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae).

An in vitro feeding method using chicken-skin membranes and human blood was compared with an established in vivo method using anesthetized hamsters for blood-feeding mass-reared phlebotomine sand flies. Parameters measured were percentage of sand flies taking blood meals, number of eggs laid per female, and percentage of eggs that hatched. Females from a long established (>20 yr) colony of Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli) from Israel landed on and started feeding sooner on the hamster than on the membrane. However, when sand flies were allowed access to the membrane feeder for the same length of time as the anesthetized hamster, the feeding percentages were not significantly different and were usually better on the membrane feeder if flies were allowed access for a longer time. Egg production and percent hatch between the two feeding methods were not statistically different. Based on these results, we conclude that the chicken-skin membrane feeding method is a viable alternative to the use of live animals for feeding large numbers of P. papatasi.

Distraction osteogenesis in irradiated rabbit mandibles with adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on bone regeneration during distraction of irradiated rabbit mandibles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly sub-divided into 4 groups. Group 1 served as control, group 2 received preoperative radiation therapy, group 3 received pre- and postoperative hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy, and group 4 received preoperative radiation therapy and pre- and postoperative HBO therapy. All rabbits underwent a corticotomy of the left body of the mandible after placement of a distraction device. Distraction, at a rate of 1 mm/day and a rhythm of 1 turn/day, began after a 3-day latency period for 14 days. Thirty days after completion of the distraction protocol, the animals were euthanized, and histomorphometric and radiographic data of the distraction segments were obtained. RESULTS: Histomorphometric analysis of new bone fill was greatest in the non-irradiated groups compared to groups receiving radiation therapy, regardless of HBO therapy (P = .03). Pre-corticotomy bone density measurements showed a significant increase in bone density over time (P = .0007). This resulted in a significant relationship between HBO therapy, radiation therapy, and time (P = .0050). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study support the use of HBO therapy during distraction osteogenesis. Any additional therapeutic benefit of HBO therapy in irradiated bone would require additional investigation.