RESUMO
We present a 51-year-old male who sustained a traumatic amputation with a saw of the right thumb, index finger, and carpal bones back to the radius. The amputated digits were mangled and not suitable for replantation. We performed pollicization of the long finger which helped restore a more functional hand. In select situations, this reconstructive option has the advantages of being a single-stage procedure with limited donor site morbidity and no need for microsurgical anastomosis.
RESUMO
Non-viral in vivo delivery of DNA, encoding for specific proteins, has traditionally relied on chemical or physical forces applied directly to tissues. Physical methods typically involve contact between an applicator/electrode and tissue and often results in transient subject discomfort. To overcome these limitations of contact-dependent delivery, a helium plasma source was utilized to deposit ionized gasses to treatment/vaccination sites without direct contact between the applicator and the tissues. The study reported here evaluated the efficacy of this strategy as an effective method to administer DNA vaccines. Balb/C mice were vaccinated with a DNA plasmid expressing an HIVgp120 envelope glycoprotein either with or without co-administration of helium plasma or electroporation. The results indicated, for the first time, the potential efficacy of helium plasma delivery for the induction and enhancement of antigen specific immune responses following DNA vaccination.
