Water monitoring with an automated smart sensor supported with solar power for real-time and long range detection of ferrous iron.

Low-power and smart sensing systems for iron detection are necessary for in situ monitoring of water quality. Here, a potentiometric Fe2+-selective electrode (ISE) was fabricated based on cyanomethyl N-methyl-N-phenyl dithiocarbamate for the first time as an ionophore. Under optimal conditions, the ISE showed a Nernstian slope of 29.76 ± 0.6 mV per decade for Fe2+ ions over a wide concentration range from 1.0 × 10-1 to 1.0 × 10-5 M with a lower detection limit (LOD) of 1.0 × 10-6 M. The ISE interference of various cations on the potentiometric response was also investigated. The ISE had a response time less than 3 s and the lifetime was two months. Also, an automated, long-range (LoRa), wireless enabled sampling microfluidic device powered with a solar panel as an autonomous power source was developed for a continuous sampling and sensing process. The sensing platform was employed in the determination of Fe2+ in acid mine drainage and spiked water samples with an average recovery of 100.7%. This simple, inexpensive (below $350), portable sensing platform will allow for rapid real-time monitoring of ground-, drinking-, and industrial waters contaminated with iron.

Comparison of Posterior and Anterolateral Surgical Approaches in Treating Adult Humeral Shaft Fractures.

AIM: The purpose of this study is to compare the outcomes and complications of two different surgical approaches, the anterolateral and posterior approaches, for treating humeral shaft fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  Between January 2015 and May 2021, 51 patients with humeral shaft fractures were treated with anterolateral and posterior approaches. Twenty-nine patients were operated with the posterior approach (group 1) and 22 with the anterolateral approach (group 2). Statistical analyses were performed between the two groups regarding age, gender distribution, fractured side, body mass index (BMI), type of trauma, Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification, and follow-up time. Complications such as operative time, amount of bleeding, incision length and implant fracture, radial nerve palsy, wound infection, and nonunion were compared between the two groups. Functional results of the elbow joint were evaluated with the Mayo Elbow Performance Score. RESULTS:  The mean follow-up period was 49.10±21.15 months (12-75 months) in group 1 and 50.00±23.71 months (range: 15-70 months) in group 2. There was no statistical difference between the groups in terms of age, gender distribution, fractured side, BMI, trauma type, AO/OTA classification, and follow-up time (p>0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of operation time, intraoperative bleeding, and incision length (p>0.05). The mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 77.24±20.03 (range: 70-100 points) in group 1 and 81.36±8.34 (range: 70-100 points) in group 2, and no significant difference was found (p>0.05). When evaluated in terms of complications, there was no significant difference between the groups (p>0.05). While there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding elbow joint range of motion, the limitation was observed in more patients in group 1. CONCLUSION:  Similar satisfactory treatment results were obtained in patients who underwent anterolateral and posterior approaches in treating humeral shaft fractures. Furthermore, no difference was found between the two approaches regarding complication rates.

Large-scale fabrication of ion-selective electrodes for simultaneous detection of Na+, K+, and Ca2+ in biofluids using a smartphone-based potentiometric sensing platform.

A significant bottleneck exists for mass-production of ion-selective electrodes despite recent developments in manufacturing technologies. Here, we present a fully-automated system for large-scale production of ISEs. Three materials, including polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate and polyimide, were used as substrates for fabricating ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) using stencil printing, screen-printing and laser engraving, respectively. We compared sensitivities of the ISEs to determine the best material for the fabrication process of the ISEs. The electrode surfaces were modified with various carbon nanomaterials including multi-walled carbon nanotubes, graphene, carbon black, and their mixed suspensions as the intermediate layer to enhance sensitivities of the electrodes. An automated 3D-printed robot was used for the drop-cast procedure during ISE fabrication to eliminate manual steps. The sensor array was optimized, and the detection limits were 10-5 M, 10-5 M and 10-4 M for detection of K+, Na+ and Ca2+ ions, respectively. The sensor array integrated with a portable wireless potentiometer was used to detect K+, Na+ and Ca2+ in real urine and simulated sweat samples and results obtained were in agreement with ICP-OES with good recoveries. The developed sensing platform offers low-cost detection of electrolytes for point-of-care applications.

A smartphone-assisted hybrid sensor for simultaneous potentiometric and distance-based detection of electrolytes.

At home electrolyte analysis is of growing interest due to the importance for early diagnosis for various diseases. This work presents the first device that integrates a potentiometric ion-selective electrode (ISE) with distance-based colorimetric detection for the simultaneous analysis of K+ and Cl- ions at the point of care (POC). This hybrid sensing device was designed in a two-dimensional configuration using a plastic transparency sheet containing a stencil printed K+-ISE and a paper substrate for distance-based colorimetric detection of Cl-. K+ quantification was performed using a low-cost (<$25) lab-made Wi-Fi supported potentiometer with a custom smartphone application while Cl- ions were quantified with an instrument-free distance-based paper analytical device (dPAD). The total analysis time is 5 min once the sample is added. The K+-ISE showed a sensitivity of 55.89 ± 2.52 mV/decade from 0.1 to 100 mM with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.01 mM. The linear working range for Cl- detection was 0.5-50 mM whereas the LOD was 0.16 ± 0.05 mM. The proof-of-concept application of the sensing hybrid device was demonstrated in human urine and artificial sweat samples containing K+ and Cl- ions at physiologically relevant ranges. The recoveries were found to be 88-108% for K+ and 90-104% for Cl-, showing the potential use of the proposed device for low-cost routine analysis of biological samples at POC.

Comparison of three different surgical treatment methods in humeral shaft fractures.

Introduction: in this study, we aimed to compare the clinical and radiological results of single 4.5 mm locking compression plate (LCP), dual 3.5 mm LCP and intramedullary nailing (IMN) methods applied to the surgical treatment of humeral shaft fractures. Methods: the study included 77 patients (41 males, 36 females; mean age 46.38 years; range 18-74 years) with humeral shaft fractures treated with a single 4.5 mm LCP, dual 3.5 mm LCP and IMN between January 2016 and December 2020. Single 4.5 mm LCP (Group A) was applied to 31 (40.3%) patients, dual 3.5 mm LCP (Group B) to 20 (26%) patients and IMN (Group C) to 26 (33.8%) patients. The preoperative and postoperative data of the patients were analyzed from the hospital registry system. A short version of the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire was used to evaluate functional outcomes. Results: as a result of the comparison of the rates of nonunion between the groups, a significantly lower rate of nonunion was observed in group B patients (p=0.027). While the rate of nonunion was 14% in the cases included in the study, no cases of nonunion were encountered in group B. There was no difference between the three groups in terms of demographic data and other postoperative complications. Conclusion: dual 3.5 mm LCP method is a suitable alternative to other surgical methods in the treatment of humeral shaft fractures, due to similar functional results and lesser nonunion.

Rapid prototyping of ion-selective electrodes using a low-cost 3D printed internet-of-things (IoT) controlled robot.

We report automated fabrication of solid-contact sodium-selective (Na+-ISEs) and potassium-selective electrodes (K+-ISEs) using a 3D printed liquid handling robot controlled with Internet of Things (IoT) technology. The printing system is affordable and can be customized for the use with micropipettes for applications such as drop-casting, biological assays, sample preparation, rinsing, cell culture, and online analyte monitoring using multi-well plates. The robot is more compact (25 × 30 × 35 cm) and user-friendly than commercially available systems and does not require mechatronic experience. For fabrication of ion-selective electrodes, a carbon black intermediate layer and ion-selective membrane were successively drop-cast on the surface of stencil-printed carbon electrode using the dispensing robot. The 3D-printed robot increased ISE robustness while decreasing the modification time by eliminating manual steps. The Na+-ISEs and K+-ISEs were characterized for their potentiometric responses using a custom-made, low-cost (<$25) multi-channel smartphone-based potentiometer capable of signal processing and wireless data transmission. The electrodes showed Nernstian responses of 58.2 ± 2.6 mV decade-1 and 56.1 ± 0.7 mV decade-1 for Na+ and K+, respectively with an LOD of 1.0 × 10-5 M. We successfully applied the ISEs for multiplexed detection of Na+ and K+ in urine and artificial sweat samples at clinically relevant concentration ranges. The 3D-printed pipetting robot cost $100 and will pave the way for more accessible mass production of ISEs for those who cannot afford the expensive commercial robots.

Development and comparison of various rod-shaped mini-reference electrode compositions based on Ag/AgCl for potentiometric applications.

Several fundamentally similar, miniaturized solid-state reference electrode designs, and their fabrication and comparison are described in this article. All electrodes were based on Ag/AgCl as their reference element. The best electrode (a three-layer assembly with graphite oxide, epoxy, and hardener as the framework providers and with well-mixed micro-Ag particles in the bottom layer, AgCl in the middle layer, and fine KCl powder in the top layer) exhibited satisfactory short-term performance to replace a commercial reference electrode in many cases and was rigorously tested in terms of pH response, long-term leakage, and the effect of oxygen to better evaluate its characteristics. To assess the electrode's performance in medically important studies, cytotoxicity experiments and tests in artificial saliva were also conducted. All tests demonstrated that our best reference electrode was stable and had a long shelf life.

Comparison of Enoxaparin and Rivaroxaban in the Prophylaxis of Deep Venous Thrombosis in Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary embolism is a serious early complication of arthroplasty procedures that can develop after deep venous thrombosis. The present study aimed to compare rivaroxaban and enoxaparin in terms of preventing DV and PE, and also in this study, we compared the complications due to these drugs in patients undergoing elective arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 214 patients were divided into three groups based on their treatment regimens. In group I, enoxaparin was used, in group II, rivaroxaban was used, and in group III, enoxaparin was used throughout hospitalization, and after hospital discharge, rivaroxaban was used. These three groups were compared according to the occurrence of deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and major and minor complications. RESULTS: Major postoperative complications occurred in 5, 15, and 6 patients in group I, II, and III, respectively. Minor postoperative complications occurred in 10, 24, and 11 patients in group I, II, and III, respectively. No significant difference was found among the three groups. Deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism was not observed in any patient. CONCLUSION: Rivaroxaban was found to be as effective as enoxaparin in the prevention of deep venous thrombosis and other complications after arthroplasty. Moreover, oral rivaroxaban provided greater ease of use compared to subcutaneous enoxaparin. Based on these findings, we consider that rivaroxaban could be an effective alternative to enoxaparin.

Internet of Things Implementation of Nitrate and Ammonium Sensors for Online Water Monitoring.

In this work, we proposed a new wireless sensor to contribute to research aimed at continuous monitoring of nitrate and ammonium in water, which as leading agents of water pollution have become the source of a serious problem today. In this research, a well-implemented application of an electroanalytical sensor was achieved by combining it with the internet of things (IoT) concept, which is the most modern technique for wireless data collection. We developed a portable IoT system and ion-selective nitrate and ammonium electrodes and monitored the nitrate and ammonium levels of the water online. The system was produced in a low-cost manner (under $25) and it enabled data acquisition without energy-related problems, thanks to the support of solar energy and mobile power bank. The recovery rates of the sensors were tested with the standard addition method and response was obtained between 101.74 and 147.01%.

Electrochemiluminescence methods using CdS quantum dots in aptamer-based thrombin biosensors: a comparative study.

The detection of thrombin by using CdS nanocrystals (CdS NCs), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and luminol is investigated in this work. Thrombin is detected by three methods. One is called the quenching method. It is based on the quenching effect of AuNPs on the yellow fluorescence of CdS NCs (with excitation/emission wavelengths of 355/550 nm) when placed adjacent to CdS NCs. The second method (called amplification method) is based on an amplification mechanism in which the plasmonics on the AuNPs enhance the emission of CdS NCs through distance related Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). The third method is ratiometric and based on the emission by two luminophores, viz. CdS NCs and luminol. In this method, by increasing the concentration of thrombin, the intensity of CdS NCs decreases, while that of luminol increases. The results showed that ratiometric method was most sensitive (with an LOD of 500 fg.mL-1), followed by the amplification method (6.5 pg.mL-1) and the quenching method (92 pg.mL-1). Hence, the latter is less useful. Graphical abstract Schematic representation of three different methods (quenching, amplification and ratiometric) were applied for detection of thrombin via aptasensor. The CdS nanocrystals, streptavidin (Str) coated AuNPs and also Str-luminol coated AuNPs were used for the construction steps of the electrochemiluminescence (ECL)-based biosensor.

Tuberculosis osteomyelitis of the tibia mimicking Brodie abscess: A case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis osteomyelitis is rarely seen in the diaphyseal bones. It may be confused with Brodie's abscess due to similar clinical, radiological and laboratory findings. Late diagnosis of the disease causes bone destruction. Tuberculosis osteomyelitis of the bone is a rare condition caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Its incidence has increased in Western countries in recent years due to HIV infection, increasing elderly population and emerging resistant strains. The slow progress of tuberculous osteomyelitis, due to lack of significant elevations in the laboratory values and changes in the radiographic appearance, often leads to confusion with the subtypes of subacute osteomyelitis, defined as Brodie's abscess. These two low-virulence clinical cases often lead to delays in diagnosis and progressive bone destruction. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 65-year-old male patient who presented to our clinic with pain, swelling and sensitivity in the left leg. Diagnosed with infection in the tibia, the patient had undergone antibiotherapy. However, the patient's symptoms were not resolved and we performed bone curettage and cementation. M. tuberculosis-specific DNA was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and the M. tuberculosis complex was produced from the perioperative samples. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, histopathological examination and polymerase chain reaction are essential before surgery of subacute and chronic osteomyelitis with atypical clinical, laboratory and radiological findings for early diagnosis and accurate treatment.

The effect of platelet-rich plasma in bone-tendon integration.

BACKGROUND: The operative reconstruction of a torn or insufficient anterior cruciate ligament has become a routine surgical procedure in orthopedics. The long-term success of an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction depends on the ability of the graft to heal adequately in a bone tunnel. Investigators studying reconstructions described healing within a tunnel as osseous ingrowth and incorporation. In particular, helping the healing using autologous material for the best integration process was a new idea that helped us to set up this study. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to show the effect of platelet-rich plasma on bone-tendon healing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten New Zealand rabbits were used. The study had 2 groups: (1) a study group including the right extremities of rabbits in which tendon-bone integration was strengthened by plateletrich plasma and (2) a control group including the left extremities of rabbits in which tendon-bone integration was without platelet-rich plasma. On the 56th day postoperatively, the portion of the distal femur containing the tunnel was amputated following the euthanization process for histological evaluation. RESULTS: In the histological evaluation of the tendon-integrated bone segments with platelet-rich plasma, the integration of tendon in the bone was successful without any necrosis formation in most of the tissues. However, in the control group without platelet-rich plasma, the integration was distorted in many zones and some cystic morphologies were present. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study showed that using platelet-rich plasma during tendon-to-bone implantation has positive effects histologically. In the literature, many studies are available that have investigated the effect of platelet-rich plasma on anterior cruciate surgery radiologically. However, the histological findings are more reliable than radiological findings because bone-tendon integration is a biological process.

Tibial Lengthening Using a Fixator-Assisted Lengthening Plate: A New Technique.

BACKGROUND: There are many techniques that are used for limb lengthening. Lengthening a limb over a plate is an alternative choice used in children or when using an intramedullary nail is difficult. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we presented a new technique for tibial lengthening using a monolateral external fixator over a lengthening plate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For tibial lengthening, a monolateral external fixator was attached to the composite bone model medially. After a corticotomy was performed, the lengthening plate was placed laterally. Three locking screws were inserted proximally, and two cortical screws were inserted into a lengthening hole that was 1 cm below the osteotomy site. We avoided contact between the screws of the lengthening plate and the pins of the external fixator. During bone lengthening with the monolateral external fixator, the screws at the lengthening hole were able to slide distally with the distal segment of the tibia to allow for tibial elongation. Two locking screws were fixed at the distal locking holes of the plate when the bone elongation was complete. The external fixator was then removed. RESULTS: The fixator-assisted lengthening plate allowed bone lengthening without malalignment. There were no mechanical problems associated with the external fixator during the lengthening process. Plate osteosynthesis was stable after the fixator was removed. There was no contact between the screws of plate and the Schanz pins of the external fixator under C-arm fluoroscopy. CONCLUSIONS: The fixator-assisted lengthening plate technique helps to maintain the stability and alignment at both sides of an osteotomy during tibial elongation. It allows the early removal of the external fixator immediately after lengthening is completed. This technique can be applied in children with open physes and in patients with a narrow medullary canal who are unsuitable for limb lengthening over an intramedullary nail.

Closure of round cutaneous defects progressively with the purse string suture technique.

INTRODUCTION: There are many closure techniques available to cutaneous surgeons. One of them is the purse-string suture which is used to provide complete or partial closure of round skin defects. In our animal study; we closed skin defects with using subcuticular purse string suture technique by progressively cinching wound and we aim to more rapidly healing according to secondary healing. METHODS: After anaesthetize, we created a 4 cm diameter circular full thickness skin defect on dorsal area of rats. In group 1, subcuticular purse string suture was applied by using a nonabsorbable and monofilament suture and a sliding arthroscopic knot was applied to both ends. Arthroscopic suture was shift 1 cm forward every day. In group 2 skin defect was leaved open and daily dressing was made and in both group defect diameters were measured every day and noted. RESULTS: The skin defects were closed totally after 15 days in group 1 but in group 2 defects were reduced but still had a mean 1,5-cm diameter sircular defect. CONCLUSION: Closing large circular wound with purse string suture and gradual tightening decreases the healing time and expand the skin tissue without using any tissue expander.

Comparison of the effects of sodium hyaluronate-chondroitin sulphate and corticosteroid in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis: a prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Hyaluronic acid and glycosaminoglycans have shown positive effects in improving lateral epicondylitis and other tendinosis conditions. Therefore, we designed a prospective, randomized study to compare the effects of a combined sodium hyaluronate and chondroitin sulfate (HA + CS) injection versus a triamcinolone injection in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis. METHODS: In total, 57 consecutive patients with clinically diagnosed lateral epicondylitis were divided randomly into two groups. In the HA + CS group, 25 patients received a single injection of a solution containing an HA + CS combination and prilocaine HCl, while the 32 patients in the triamcinolone group received a single injection of a solution of triamcinolone and prilocaine HCl. We evaluated the pain and function outcome measures using the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) questionnaire at the beginning of the study, and 3 and 6 months after the injection. Additionally, the Minimum Clinically Important Difference values and percentage changes in the PRTEE subscale scores between the assessments were calculated. RESULTS: No serious adverse events were reported throughout the study. The mean pain and function scores for the HA + CS and triamcinolone groups had significantly improved at 3 months, but the mean function scores in the HA + CS group were statistically significantly better when compared to the triamcinolone group. At 6 months, both groups had significantly improved mean pain and function scores, compared to the baseline scores; however, the mean pain and function scores in the 6-month HA + CS treatment group were better than in the 6-month triamcinolone group. The relative change for the mean total score in the HA + CS group was much better when compared with the triamcinolone group, and the HA + CS treatment group showed clinically significant improvement when compared with triamcinolone group at 3 and 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the idea that for a single injection treatment of patients with lateral epicondylitis, a combination injection of HA + CS may offer better pain benefits for 6 months after injection, when compared to triamcinolone. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, Randomized Clinical Trial, Prospective Comparative Study.

Functional Comparison of Immediate and Late Weight Bearing after Ankle Bimalleolar Fracture Surgery.

AIM: The aim of the study is to compare immediate weight bearing with below-knee cast or immobilization with plaster splint in 6 weeks in patients after operative treatment for ankle bimalleolar fractures. METHODS: Fifty-three patients with ankle bimalleolar fractures were treated operatively in 2005 to 2010 and then were randomly allocated to two groups. Immediately weight bearing in a below-knee cast (26 patients) and immobilization in a plaster splint for the first six postoperative weeks (27 patients). A mean age 37.9 (min 17; max 72). An average follow-up 26.1 months. (min 14; max 55). All fractures were classified with Lauge-Hansen classification. Functional results of both groups were evaluated with AOFAS for the postoperative one year after surgical treatment. RESULTS: According to the AOFAS scoring system, results were excellent and good in 17 patients in group 1. On the other hand, results were excellent and good in 14 patients in group 2. CONCLUSION: As a result we think that weight bearing protocol should be advantaged for patients with ankle bimalleolar fractures after surgical treatment immediately.

Enhancement of holding strength of cannulated screw supported with PMMA: a biomechanical study on femoral head [corrected].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the holding strength of cannulated screw with multiple holes on threaded area, supported with PMMA in femoral head. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 48 human femoral heads were divided into two groups after mineral density measurement with Q-CT. Seven-millimeter cannulated screws with multiple holes on threaded area supported with PMMA were used in the study group, while in the control group standard 7-mm cannulated screws were used. Each group was divided into three subgroups with eight femoral heads. Mineral density of each subgroup was equal to the other. Groups were compared in terms of pull-out, maximum extraction torque and cut-out. RESULTS: In pull-out group, maximum holding strength (N) was measured, while axial pull-out of 0.5 mm/sec applied with Instron. Results showed meaningful significant difference (p < 0.011) between two groups. In cut-out group, femoral heads were placed into Instron and loading was started from 5 N at 2 mm per minute at first, and it was continued until a failure, at least 5 mm, of implant was observed. Results showed significant difference (p < 0.05) between two groups. In maximum extraction group, 4° per second reverse torque (Nm) was applied with torque meter. Highest torque value was measured during extraction time, and results showed very significant difference (p < 0. 001) between two groups. CONCLUSION: The results of our new design of cannulated screw augmented with PMMA provided background data to clinical application.

Tendon-holding capacities of two newly designed implants for tendon repair: an experimental study on the flexor digitorum profundus tendon of sheep.

BACKGROUND: Two main factors determine the strength of tendon repair; the tensile strength of material and the gripping capacity of a suture configuration. Different repair techniques and suture materials were developed to increase the strength of repairs but none of techniques and suture materials seem to provide enough tensile strength with safety margins for early active mobilization. In order to overcome this problem tendon suturing implants are being developed. We designed two different suturing implants. The aim of this study was to measure tendon-holding capacities of these implants biomechanically and to compare them with frequently used suture techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study we used 64 sheep flexor digitorum profundus tendons. Four study groups were formed and each group had 16 tendons. We applied model 1 and model 2 implant to the first 2 groups and Bunnell and locking-loop techniques to the 3rd and 4th groups respectively by using 5 Ticron sutures. RESULTS: In 13 tendons in group 1 and 15 tendons in group 2 and in all tendons in group 3 and 4, implants and sutures pulled out of the tendon in longitudinal axis at the point of maximum load. The mean tensile strengths were the largest in group 1 and smallest in group 3. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the new stainless steel tendon suturing implants applied from outside the tendons using steel wires enable a biomechanically stronger repair with less tendon trauma when compared to previously developed tendon repair implants and the traditional suturing techniques.

The effect of organic silicon injection on Achilles tendon healing in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a soluble absorbable silicon compound on healing of the Achilles tendon. METHODS: The Achilles tendons of 21 Wistar albino rats were cut and repaired. A 0.01 ml organic silicon solution (silanol) was injected peri/intratendinously into the left leg of all rats and the same dose of saline into the right leg postoperatively. Rats were randomly divided into 3 groups for biomechanical testing on Day 10 (7 rats) and Day 20 (7 rats) and histological and immunohistochemical assessment on Day 20 (7 rats). Fibroblast cell count and diameter, tissue vascularity and blood vessel diameter were evaluated by histomorphometry. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) immunoreactivity was analyzed with immunohistochemistry on Day 20. Failure load and stiffness of the repaired tendons were measured on Days 10 and 20. RESULTS: The number of fibroblasts per area, average fibroblast diameter, number of vessels parallel to collagen bundles per area and average vessel diameter were significantly higher in the organic silicon group than in the control group (p<0.05). Strong immunoreactivity of bFGF in the silicon group was detected. Failure load was significantly higher in the silicon group than in the control group on Day 10 (p=0.041). On Day 20, while a difference still existed, this difference was not significant. There was no effect of the silicon injection on stiffness of healing tendons. CONCLUSION: Organic silicon appears to have a positive effect on tendon healing and is suitable for further studies on host healing response modification.