The effect of tibial lengthening using the Ilizarov method on the cartilage and the menisci of the knee joint.

In order to investigate possible acute damage to the knee joint cartilage and the menisci during tibial lengthening, sixteen young beagle dogs underwent 30% lengthening of the right tibia of 2.5 cm by callus distraction at a distraction rate of twice 0.5 mm per day. A further four dogs comprised the control group with fixator and osteotomy but without lengthening. After a distraction period of 25 days half the dogs were killed (group A) while the other half (eight dogs with limb lengthening and two dogs without) were killed after a further period of 25 days (group B). At the end of the study, the menisci were removed together with three cartilage-bone cylinders from both femoral condyles from the weight-bearing zones as well as from the corresponding tibial condyles. Serial sections from the menisci were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Elastica van Gieson. Sections of the cartilage-bone cylinders were stained with H&E and safranin-O. Cartilage thickness was measured and the glycosaminoglycan content of the joint cartilage was determined using microspectrophotometry. None of the histological preparations obtained from the untreated and distracted sides showed any signs of damage to the cartilage or to the menisci. There were no significant differences between cartilage thickness and proteoglycan content of the untreated side and the lengthened side. Thus, tibial lengthening using the llizarov method does not appear to cause acute damage to the cartilage of the knee joint or to the menisci.

Structural and mechanical aspects of the skin of Bufo marinus (Anura, Amphibia).

Specific biomechanical characters and some structures possibly related to them were investigated in the skin of the toad Bufo marinus using tensile testing techniques (at constant strain till rupture) as well as morphological methods (histological, immunohistochemical and electronmicroscopical). Mechanical parameters of the native skin varied considerably according to sex, individual variability and/or site of specimen collection. In skin strips of males and females excised from different parts of the body thickness ranged from 0.45 to 0.87 mm, strain (epsilonf) from 96.52 to 211.03, tensile strength (sigmam) from 5.72 to 9.38 MPa, and stiffness (E-modulus) from 5.76 to 6.73. The dermis of B. marinus is provided with a collagenous stratum compactum of considerable thickness, a stratum spongiosum with loosely arranged fibres and a marked calcified layer (substantia amorpha). Collagen appears to be the main determinant of skin mechanics. However, the slope of the J-shaped static stress-strain curves indicates elastin to be responsible for the high values of strain. Contrary to van Gieson and orcein staining, immunostaining with a monoclonal antibody against elastin revealed very few elastic fibers between collagen bundles and in the vertical fiber tracts (perforating bundles), but a considerable amount in the tela subcutanea. This was partly confirmed at the ultrastructural level by tannic acid staining.

Behavior of blood vessels during lower-leg lengthening using the Ilizarov method.

Using a ring fixator, lengthening of the right lower leg by 2.5 cm at a distraction rate of 2 x 0.5 mm per day was performed in 24 beagle dogs. After a postoperative latency period of 5 days and a distraction phase of 25 days, half the dogs were killed (30-day group). The remaining half were killed after a second interval of 25 days (55-day group). After the experiment, the anterior tibialis artery and vein with their supporting vessels, as well as the lesser saphenous vein of both the lengthened right side and the control side were excised and examined histologically, histomorphometrically, and electron microcopically. No morphologic changes of the vascular walls and no increase of collagenous or elastic fibers could be found. The histomorphometric evaluations showed a significant increase in the number of vasa vasorum in the dogs of both the 30- and 55-day groups. No significant difference in thickness of the vascular wall, tunica media, and adventitia could be observed between the lengthened and the control side in both dog groups. It seems that blood vessels can adapt to continuous tension during callus distraction without suffering structural damage and are the least limiting factor concerning distraction speed, distraction rhythm, and distraction length during callus distraction.

Biomechanical properties of tendons during lower-leg lengthening in dogs using the Ilizarov method.

Ten dogs were provided with a circular fixator. Segment resection of the fibula and tibial osteotomy in the right lower leg was performed. 5 days after surgery, a lengthening of the right lower leg by 2.5 cm was performed on 6 dogs using a distraction rate of 0.5 mm, twice per day. 3 dogs with leg lengthening and 2 dogs of the control group without leg lengthening were sacrificed at the end of the distraction phase of 25 days and the remaining dogs after another 25 days. Postmortally the tendons of the tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, peroneus longus and the achilles tendon were taken from the operated right side and the left non-operated control side and were examined biomechanically in cyclic tests. The control group without lengthening showed no changes in the biomechanical properties in the tendons of either side nor in those of the unlengthened left side of the operated dogs. In contrast the biomechanical tests revealed a marked decrease of the elastic modulus, an increase of distraction length and an increase of modulus reduction on the lengthened side compared to the non-operated left side.

Mechanical properties of the skin of Xenopus laevis (Anura, Amphibia).

The skin of the aquatic pipid frog, Xenopus laevis, was examined for specific biomechanical features: 1) thickness, 2) maximal strain at break (epsilon f), 3) tensile strength (sigma m), 4) modulus of elasticity (E, stiffness), and 5) the area under the stress-strain curve (W) (breaking energy, toughness). Skin freshly removed from dorsal, ventral, and lateral areas of the body was subjected to uniaxial tension. In both sexes, the dorsal skin is thicker than the ventral. The skin of male frogs was consistently thinner in all body regions than that of females. Most biomechanical parameters showed a considerable range of values in both males (epsilon f = 59-63%, sigma m = 15-16.5 MPa, E = 33.5-38.4 MPa, W = 3.8-4.5 MJ/m3) and females (epsilon f = 102-126%, sigma m = 11.5 MPa, E = 10.4-12 MPa, W = 5.2-6.7 MJ/m3). The disparate epsilon f values in males (low) and females (high) might reflect sexual dimorphism. Static stress-strain curves were typically J-shaped; with the exception of a "toe," the curves rose approximately linearly with increasing strain. The skin of X.laevis, although heterogeneous in structure, possesses features similar to those found in tissues with aligned collagen fibers such as tendons or fish skin. However, in anurans, the skin seems to play a more passive mechanical role during locomotion than in fish.

[Saccular initial segments of the lymphatic vessel system]. / Zur Frage der kolbenförmigen Initialsegmente des Lymphgefässsystems.

It is commonly said that the lymphatic system begins "blindly" as saccular outpocketings. In order to examine these saccular outpocketings, 120 injections into the conjunctival lymphatics of 60 bovine postmortem eyes were carried out, measuring the level of injection pressure and simultaneously documenting the various filling stages photographically. 20 trials were selected for further analysis. We recorded low initial pressures when the tip of the needle was situated close to a larger lymphatic vessel and the coloured solution (1% aqueous Berliner Blue) as possibly applied intravascularly. Higher initial pressures were seen on positioning inside fine networks of vessels. Extremely high initial pressures without any visible filling of vessels but in the presence of simultaneously increasing depots of dye were probably caused by absent or insufficient connection between the tip of the needle and a vessel. During lymphography numerous coarser and finer, tube-like projections (saccular outpocketings) filled, from which further progression of the coloured solution could only be observed when higher injection pressures were applied. We were able to prove that such segments had connections to neighbouring vessels as well as forming plexus of their own. Based on our findings we have reason to doubt the existence of tube-like initial segments in the lymphatic system. Rather in the conjunctiva of the bovine eye this system has the structure of a fine network where tube-like segments can be demonstrated as temporary filling stages.

[Thermoanalytic studies of bundles of collagen fibers with biomechanical methods]. / Thermoanalytische Untersuchungen an Bündeln kollagener Fasern mit biomechanischen Verfahren.

Thermomechanical experiments were performed on collagenous fibre bundles of tendons from cattle and man. Subsequent to extensions of fibre bundles the particular amount of length was kept constant (isometric conditions). At the end of the relaxation under approximative equilibrium conditions (mechanical steady state phase) the temperature was raised proportional to time (with linear temperature rate). In the range between 0 and 43 degrees Celsius the isometric force decreased in form of an approximately straight line. This line was declined at 43 degrees C (thermal depression region). After the thermal shrinkage region (62-64 degrees C) the isometric force increased considerably. In this ascending part of the isometric thermal mechanogram 2 domains of slope can be observed. They are designed as lower and upper thermal transition region. In the ascending part of the isometric thermal mechanogram an isothermal relaxation is to be seen under constant temperature conditions. The isothermal isorheological line and isothermal superelevation are described. The results are discussed in context with their meaning for functional anatomy, muscle physiology, supercoolings, and burnings.

Sticky secretion from two pairs of defensive glands of rove beetleDeleaster dichrous (Grav.) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) : Gland morphology, chemical constituents, defensive functions, and chemotaxonomy.

The phylogenetically primitive rove beetleDeleaster dichrous (Grav.) (Oxytelinae) has been shown for the first time to possess two pairs of neighboring abdominal glands which are depleted simultaneously on molestation. The morphology of these glands is described. The defensive constituents of theDeleaster glands were elucidated directly from the mixtures by gas chromatographic-mass spectroscopic methods and microchemical reactions. The paired whitish glands secrete iridodial, which polymerizes on exposure to air to form an adhesive that probably deters small predatory arthropods. The red gland system ofD. dichrous contains the toxicp-toluquinone and a variety of isopropyl andsec-butyl esters. Artificial quinoid ester mixtures simulating the secretion ofD. dichrous showed only weak effects on mortality ofLucilia larvae in comparison with more effective secretions of phyiogenetically derived Oxytelinae. The secretion of the primitive genusDeleaster is characterized chemotaxonomically by ß, γ-unsaturated C12 acids and esters, which are postulated as precursors for the characteristic defensive compounds of the derived species, thus indicating a clear evolutionary trend at the micromolecular level.

Defensive secretions of three oxytelinae rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae).

The secretions of the abdominal glands ofBledius spectabilis Kraatz,Platystethus arenarius Fourcr., andOxytelus piceus L. have been shown to contain four 1-alkenes; toluquinone; toluhydroquinone; C10 (-)-,C11 (-), C12 (-)-, and C14 (-) γ-lactones; C12-δ-lactone; citral; and decyl-, undecyl-, and dodecyl acetates. Quantitative results indicate that 1-alkenes are formed probably from present lactones by decarboxylation. According to the known life histories of the beetles, it is suggested that the gland material is not used as an algal growth regulator but represents a unique defensive blend characteristic for the whole subfamily.