ABSTRACT
Extracellular Vesicles (EV) have become an interesting focus as novel biomarkers of disease and are increasingly reported upon in humans and other species. The Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles 2018 (MISEV2018) guidelines were published to improve rigor and standardisation within the EV field and provide a framework for the reliable isolation and characterisation of EV populations. However, this rigor and standardisation has been challenging in the area of comparative medicine. Herein we present the successful isolation of EVs from human and canine plasma using Size Exclusion Chromatography and characterise these EVs according to best international practice. This study provides evidence for the reliable comparison of human and canine EVs isolated by this approach, and a baseline description of the EVs from healthy dogs to inform future biomarker studies. This work also demonstrates that the MISEV2018 guidelines can be successfully applied to EVs isolated from canine plasma.
ABSTRACT
Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is the use of ultrasound (US) imaging technology by non-sonographer, non-radiologist treating clinicians. Handheld US systems are increasing in popularity and becoming widely available and easily accessible to hand surgeons in clinical practice. Adapting POCUS into the repertoire of the hand surgeon can aid in the diagnosis of many common hand surgery presentations and shorten operative times. In this review, we outline the potential uses and advantages of incorporating POCUS into hand surgery practice incuding its use in emergencies such as trauma, infections, and foreign body localization, as well as elective presentations such as nerve compression, procedural guidance, and anesthesia. Finally, this review outlines the training and curriculum development required to ensure safe implementation of POCUS into a hand surgery practice.