Valorisation of softwood bark through extraction of utilizable chemicals. A review.

Softwood bark is an important source for producing chemicals and materials as well as bioenergy. Extraction is regarded as a key technology for obtaining chemicals in general, and valorizing bark as a source of such chemicals in particular. In this paper, properties of 237 compounds identified in various studies dealing with extraction of softwood bark were described. Finally, some challenges and perspectives on the production of chemicals from bark are discussed.

History of upper extremity replantation in the Czech Republic and worldwide.

Replantation surgery is a specialization in plastic surgery which, in comparison with other disciplines, has a relatively short history of only forty years. Replantation surgery developed due to experience with macrovascular anastomosis and to the evolution of the operative microscope, special micro-instruments and ultra delicate suturing material. Due to these advances, it is possible to implement anastomosis of blood vessels with a diameter smaller than 1-2 mm. Each of the three pillars of microvascular surgery has its own history. This work outlines their use and the contribution of each to the development of microsurgery. Finally, it compares the development of replantation surgery in the Czech Republic and worldwide within a specific time frame.

Changes in paraoxonase and apolipoprotein A-I, B, C-III and E in subjects with combined familiar hyperlipoproteinemia treated with ciprofibrate.

The aim of our study was to determine whether, in patients with familiar combined hyperlipoproteinemia (FCH), ciprofibrate produces changes in paraoxonase, which acts as an antioxidant. A further aim was to estimate changes in serum levels of apolipoproteins, especially in apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and apoC-III. One of the mechanisms of action of fibrates is the activation apo A-I biosynthesis and the inhibition of apoC-III production. It is performed in the liver through peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)-alpha activity. We found that ciprofibrate administration enhanced production of apoA-I and paraoxonase transport capacity. Decreases in paraoxonase during ciprofibrate treatment were not statistically significant but increases in serum levels of apoA-I were statistically significant. Levels of apoC-III were decreased, which suggests that ciprofibrate belongs in the group of fibrates that influences lipoprotein metabolism through PPAR-alpha activity.

Spherical dilators to resolve arterial spasm.

Arterial spasms developing during microsurgical vascular anastomoses can be a difficult problem. We have been using specially developed spherical dilators in clinical practice to remove spasm that do not respond to the application of warm saline with lidocain. Dilating the spastic segment of the vessel two or three times with the instrument will usually relieve the spasm. Experimental testing of the method on the rat carotid artery has shown that using the dilator three times causes only moderate damage to the endothelium, which is largely overcome within one week. Thrombosis of the dilated artery was never seen in experimental studies and clinical use.

[Personal experience with surgery of retrosternal goiter]. / Nase zkusenosti s operacemi retrosternálních strum.

BACKGROUND: Retrosternal goitre has its specific features: a clinical picture with elements of compression, an increased percentage of malignant conversion, a technically more pretentious operation with an increased number of complications etc. Data in the literature are not uniform. The objective of the presented work was to assemble information in a large group of operated patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: The authors evaluated retrospectively operations of retrosternal goitres from two clinical departments. Of 716 patients operated on account of goitre 87 (21.1%) had retrosternal goitre. Women were affected more frequently (84%) than men (16%), ratio 5.2:1; the mean age of women was 66 years, of men 56 years. A malignant finding was confirmed in 4.6% of the operated patients. The most frequent finding was benign adenomatous colloid goitre (8.5%) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (80.4%). Hyperthyroidism of the Graves-Basedow type (4.6%) and benign hyperthyroidism of the Plummer type (2.3%) were not frequent. Type of malignity: papillary carcinoma (3.45%) and follicular carcinoma (1.15%); medullary carcinoma, anaplastic carcinoma or lymphoma were not found. The most frequent surgical approach was cervical incision (Kocher) in 95.4%; it had to be supplemented by sternotomy only in 4.6% of the operated patients. As far as the extent of surgery is concerned, almost total thyroidectomy was performed in 60.9%, total lobectomy in 2.3%, subtotal thyroidectomy in 32.2% and subtotal lobectomy in 4.6% of the patients. 24.1% of the patients developed complications, only in 5.7% they were permanent. One female patient died (1.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Retrosternal goitre accounted for cca 20% of patients operated on account of goitre. In cca 5% histology confirmed a malignant form (papillary and follicular carcinoma). Sternotomy was necessary only in less than 5% of the operated patients. The results of surgery are very good.

[Effects of the most frequently used solutions and ointments in routine surgical practice]. / Sledování úcinku nejcasteji pouzívaných roztoku a mastí v bezné chirurgické praxi.

The authors tested the effect of local antiseptics commonly used at the Clinic of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery in Brno on bacteria which most frequently infect extensive skin defects. The experiments were carried out in vitro and in vivo in a group of experimental animals. In vivo the effect on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was investigated, in vitro also the effect on Proteus mirabilis. The authors found that 0.1% Persteril, Peru balsam, and Dermazine ung./Lek Co./exerted a very favourable effect on the tested microorganisms. A weaker effect was recorded after Vishnevsky balsam and 0.5% Rivanol. 0.5% gentian violet and 3% boricacid had no effect on P. aeruginosa, 0.05% permanganate and 2% Jodonal had no effect on staphylococci.

Microsurgical reconstruction of traumatic defects on the lower extremities.

Out of 167 free transfers 90 were applied to the lower extremities, i.e. 75 for injuries, 11 for an osteomyelitis and 4 for cancer. For these transfers were used the following 15 types of flaps; 37 from the forearm, 15 m. latissimus, 12 m. serratus ant. sup., 6 scapular, 4 fibula, 4 from the groin, 2 gracilis, 2 LAF, 1 TFL, 1 TRAM, 1 dorsalis pedis, 1 sartorius, 1 crista iliaca, 1 rectus abdominis, 1 combined latissimus+serratus. The transfer of flaps was satisfactory in 92%. The transfers to the lower extremity included in no case an emergency flap, in the acute phase within 7 days after injury were transferred 5 flaps. There were in addition 32 delayed and 38 secondary flaps. The report deals with important principles of the application of the above described transfers.

Use of two microsurgical flaps in one stage reconstructive surgery.

In the studied series of 167 free transfer two microsurgical flaps in one stage surgery were used in six cases. Two times latissimus + fibula in extensive defects of the tibia and soft tissues of the shin, two times forearm+forearm in isolated defects of the feet, in one case TRAMF + TRAMF for the reconstruction of both breasts and in one case of reconstruction of the penis and the urethra in a transsexual female to male. In this case three flaps were used--pedunculated rectus abdominis muscle and LAF for the reconstruction of the urethra and a sensitive flap from the forearm for the cover of both preceding flaps. The healing of all flaps was satisfactory and individual case records are described in detail and discussed.

Prefabrication of a skin axial flap in experiment.

Flap prefabrication was studied on the rat thigh by implanting femoral vessels into the flap's subcutaneous tissue. The aim of the experiment was to determine optimal prefabrication time, and to monitor, using contrast staining, the dynamics and morphology of the neovascularization process. The minimal time for successful prefabrication was 14 days in our experimental model. The potential of physiological and pharmacological regulation of the process of capillary neoformation is discussed. A successful attempt at free transfer of a prefabricated flap to the contralateral thigh and at femoral vessel anastomosis by microsurgery was also made as part of the experiment.

[Revitalization of bone transplants using vascular implants]. / Revitalizace kostního transplantátu implantací cév.

For investigation of revascularization of free autogenous bone grafts by implantation of blood vessels the authors used rats as experimental material. The arteries or bundles of arteries were implanted into the spongiosa of the free bone transplant--a tall vertebra. It was revealed that capillary proliferation which promotes revascularization of the graft started in the adventitia of the implanted artery. Therefore it is not necessary to severe the artery, as recommended in methods used in previous studies. Revascularization occurs even when the implanted artery retains its original function. Implantation of blood vessels does not prevent extensive necrosis of the graft but indicates osteogenesis which results in substitution of the necrotic tissue.

[Biometric data of normotrophic neonates]. / Niektoré biometrické dáta normotrófnych novorodencov.

Gestation age of a neonate could be estimated approximately by a pathologist according to some macroscopical features. In addition to the weight of large organs the authors studied weight of other organs and some biometrical data in a group of 84 normotrophic neonates. Regressive analysis gave information about the growth trend of organs; compared with tables it enabled to find out the growth retardation of a neonate or his single organ. The span of fingers represented a precise statistical figure for the estimation of gestation age in addition to the weight of organs.