Ice Application Research Articles

A randomized trial comparing intravenous paracetamol, topical lidocaine, and ice application for treatment of pain associated with scorpion stings.

Appropriate treatment for scorpion-associated pain was not previously studied in detail in the literature. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of three treatment modalities in patients with painful scorpion stings using visual analog scale (VAS) scores. A randomized study was carried out during a 1-year period in patients with scorpion stings who did not have any systemic signs or symptoms. Patients were treated with intravenous paracetamol, topical lidocaine, or ice application. Pain intensity was evaluated using VAS score at the time of presentation to emergency department and at 30th, 60th, 120th, and 240th minutes. Changes in VAS scores from baseline were recorded. A total of 130 patients were included in the statistical analysis. Significant reduction in pain intensity was observed with topical lidocaine group when compared with the ice application group (p < 0.001) and paracetamol group (p < 0.001) in all selected time intervals. The median reduction in scores at 30 min after therapeutic intervention was 25.0 mm for topical lidocaine, 14.5 mm for ice application, and 10.0 mm for intravenous paracetamol. No adverse events were reported. Our results revealed that topical lidocaine is superior to both intravenous paracetamol and local ice application and its effect lasts several hours after envenomation. Topical lidocaine is an effective and safe treatment in scorpion sting associated with pain in patients with nonsystemic signs and symptoms.

Effect of ice massage on lower extremity functional performance and weight discrimination ability in collegiate footballers.

Background:Cryotherapy, in the form of ice massge is used to reduce inflammation after acute musculoskeletal injury or trauma. The potential negative effects of ice massage on proprioception are unknown, despite equivocal evidence supporting its effectivenessObjectives:The purpose of the study was to test the influence of cooling on weight discrimination ability and hence the performance in footballers.Patients and Methods:The study was of same subject experimental design (pretest-posttest design). Thirty male collegiate football players, whose mean age was 21.07 years, participated in the study. The participants were assessed for two functional performance tests, single leg hop test and crossed over hop test and weight discrimination ability before and after ice massage for 5 minutes on hamstrings muscle tendon.Results:Pre cooling scores of Single Leg Hop Test of the dominant leg in the subjects was 166.65 (± 10.16) cm and post cooling scores of the dominant leg was 167.25 (± 11.77) cm. Pre cooling scores of Crossed Over Hop Test of the dominant leg in the subjects was 174.14 (± 8.60) cm and post cooling scores of the dominant leg was 174.45 (± 9.28) cm. Pre cooling scores of Weight Discrimination Differential Threshold of the dominant leg in the subjects was 1.625 ± 1.179 kg compared with post cooling scores of the dominant leg 1.85 (± 1.91) kg. Pre cooling scores of single leg hop and crossed over hop test of the dominant leg in the subjects compared with post cooling scores of the dominant leg showed no significant differences and it was also noted that the weight discrimination ability (weight discrimination differential threshold) didn’t show any significant difference. All the values are reported as mean ± SD.Conclusions:This study provides additional evidence that proprioceptive acuity in the hamstring muscles (biceps femoris) remains largely unaffected after ice application to the hamstrings tendon (biceps femoris).

Effect of Brackish Ice on Salt and Nutrient Contents of Saline Soil in Flue‐Gas Desulfurization Gypsum Amended, Raised Bed Agroecosystem

The effect of brackish ice application on the salt content and nutrient levels of a saline soil was determined in a flue‐gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum amended, raised bed agroecosystem. Experimental plots in the raised bed were exposed to six treatments: 0, 4000, and 8000 m3 ha−1 brackish ice mulch, with or without the use of FGD gypsum. The applied brackish ice significantly decreased (P &lt; 0.05) the electrical conductivity of a saturated soil paste extract (ECe) to 4.22 (4000 m3 ha−1) and 3.85 dS m−1 (8000 m3 ha−1) from 7.20 dS m−1 (non‐brackish ice mulch) in the 0‐ to 20‐cm soil layers in the absence of FGD gypsum. Electrical conductivity was also significantly decreased in the 0‐ to 40‐cm soil layers following incorporation of FGD gypsum. The application of brackish ice significantly reduced (P &lt; 0.05) soil Na adsorption ratio (SAR) to &lt;11 and exchangeable Na percentage (ESP) in the 0‐ to 20‐cm soil layer, compared with the control treatment to which brackish ice had not been applied, regardless of FGD gypsum incorporation. The incorporation of FGD gypsum increased soil ECe to 12.89, 7.72, and 7.03 dS m−1 (P &lt; 0.01) but gave a lower soil SAR (P &lt; 0.05) in the 0‐ to 20‐cm soil layer following zero, low, and high volumes of brackish ice application compared with the same treatments without FGD gypsum. The incorporation of FGD gypsum significantly decreased soil pH in the 0‐ to 20‐cm soil layer compared with the treatment without FGD gypsum, regardless of brackish ice volume. The application of brackish ice significantly decreased the available P of the 0‐ to 20‐cm soil layer (P &lt; 0.05) and NO3–N content of the 0‐ to 40‐cm soil layer (P &lt; 0.05) compared with the control treatment without brackish ice when FGD gypsum was not incorporated. These results indicated that mulching of raised beds of saline soil by brackish ice seems to be a promising technology for growing spring crops on soils that would normally be unproductive.

Limiting oedema, ecchymosis and haemorrhage in septorhinoplasty with ice cooled swabs.

Oedema, ecchymosis and bleeding involving the skin envelope can create difficulties during septorhinoplasty. The application of ice cooled swabs may reduce these complications. Sterile, saline soaked, gauze swabs are wrapped around a routinely available 500ml pre-frozen, sterile fluid bag by the scrub assistant (Fig 1). Prior to application, the swabs are immersed briefly in cold water to avoid thermal injury to exposed skin. Figure 1 Sterile, saline soaked, gauze swabs wrapped around a 500ml pre-frozen, sterile fluid bag Compression of the nasal dorsum with ice cooled, wet swabs at intervals intraoperatively (Fig 2) can result in less distortion during reconstruction, more accurate incision closure, reduced need for nasal packing and shorter operating times.1 This is likely to facilitate a better postoperative cosmetic result. Figure 2 Compression of the nasal dorsum with ice cooled, wet swab

Ice packs reduce postoperative midline incision pain and narcotic use: a randomized controlled trial.

Postoperative pain is an unavoidable consequence of open abdominal surgery. Although cryotherapy, the application of ice to a surgical wound site, has been shown to be effective in reducing postoperative pain in orthopaedic, gynecologic, and hernia operations, it has not been assessed in patients who undergo major open abdominal operations. We hypothesized that patients who receive cryotherapy would report lower pain scores as a primary outcomes measure. Patients undergoing abdominal operations with midline incisions were randomized to receive cryotherapy for a minimum of 24 hours in time intervals dictated by patient preference vs no cryotherapy. The primary outcome of pain relief was assessed with visual analog pain scores (VAS). The study was powered to detect a clinically significant difference in VAS between the control and cryotherapy group. Comparisons between groups were measured by Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test for parametric and nonparametric data, respectively. There were 55 patients randomized: 28 to the control group and 27 to the cryotherapy group. For the primary measure, mean postoperative pain score on postoperative days (PODs) 1 and 3 after surgery was significantly lower between the control and cryotherapy groups on the visual analog pain scale (p < 0.005). Narcotic use was decreased in the cryotherapy group on POD 1 by 3.9 morphine equivalents (p= 0.008). No statistically significant difference was found between the 2 treatment groups with respect to length of hospital stay, pulmonary complications, and wound infection rate in terms of secondary measures. Ice packs are a simple, cost-effective adjuvant for decreasing postoperative pain and narcotic use in patients undergoing major abdominal operations.

Kompartment-Syndrom am Femur nach Kontusionstrauma beim Team-Handball

In September 2012, a 35-year-old semi-professional team handball player (right wing, 3rd national team handball league) injured his left lateral femur during a game in an offense action, when his opposing player hit him directly with his knee. After on-site inspection and local ice application, the athlete was transferred into a hospital, where a clinical and an ultrasound examination were performed; a hematoma was diagnosed and the patient was released. Two days later, the athlete was urgently admitted to a hospital after clinical examination by a general practitioner to undergo surgery with facial release and dissection as well removal of a hematoma caused by an increasing compartment syndrome. Owing to a progressive situation and ongoing bleeding, the patient was treated in a total of nine surgical revisions including skin transplantation for defect reconstruction and endovascular intervention with vascular clipping (coiling). The surgical procedures were completed without any further complication apart from a muscular herniation at the left lateral femur (Vastus lateralis muscle), which was technically treated with compression trousers. The athlete did recover completely but was unable to take up team handball sports again. ConclusionsIn contact sports such as team handball, athletes should be examined and checked in short periods after direct soft tissue contusion; sport activity should preferably be discontinued. Ultrasound examinations should be performed as soon and often as possible to exclude and follow any structural damages and hematoma. This allows compartment syndromes to be determined and diagnosed at an earlier stage and, if necessary, to be surgically treated with a high degree of success.

Surgical Technique for Treatment of Recalcitrant Adductor Longus Tendinopathy

Chronic groin pain in the athlete can be a difficult problem to manage. Adductor dysfunction is the most common cause of groin pain in athletes, with the adductor longus being the tendon most commonly involved. The most reproducible finding for adductor longus tendinopathy is tenderness along the tendon with passive abduction and resisted hip adduction in extension. Magnetic resonance imaging and injection of a corticosteroid and anesthetic into the proximal muscle-tendon junction are both helpful in confirming the diagnosis. Nonoperative treatment may consist of protected weight bearing, ice application, ultrasonography, electrical stimulation, and gentle stretching with progressive strengthening. However, nonoperative management is not always successful. In these instances, surgical treatment can be quite effective. We present the indications, surgical technique, and rehabilitation protocol of adductor tenotomy for chronic tendinopathy. This can prove a useful tool for the treatment of recalcitrant groin pain attributable to the adductor longus.

EXISTENCE OF LISTERIA SPECIES IN FRESHWATER FISH AND ITS CONTROL USING SANITIZED ICE

The present study was designed to investigate the occurrence of Listeria spp. in two of economically important freshwater fish species namely Oreochromis niloticus (tilapia) and Clarias gariepinus which were collected from commercial fish markets in Assiut, also to explore the efficiency of five ice formulations : tab water ice (control), three ices sanitized using trisodium phosphate (TSP) 2.5%,5% and 10% in addition to an ice sanitized using sodium acetate (SA) 2.5% against Listeria monocytogenses (LM) artificially loaded on Tilapia fish at level of (5.5log10 CFU/g) and the effect of formulated ices on ice stability, sensory quality and pH of fish during storage at room temperature (25 oC). The microbiological analysis of sampled fish revealed that sampled fish represents health hazard to consumer and contact surfaces. O. niloticus were more contaminated with Listeria spp. compared with C.gariepinus samples (16%and 4%, respectively). The contamination with LM in both fish species was parallel (4%) while Listeria innocua was present in O. niloticus only (12%). Storage of Tilapia loaded with LM (5.5 log10CFU/g) on formulated crushed ices separately for 4h revealed that both (SA) 2.5% and (TSP) 10% ices had the efficacy (P>0.05) of reduction of LM on fish and in water from melted ice when compared with the control thus improves the safety and reduces the potential for cross contamination. Formulated ices were more stable (slow melting rate) when compared with the control. Storage of fish on formulated ices for 4h was not associated with any defects in sensory parameters (P>0.05). A desirable lowering of pH values of stored fish was noticed by application of (SA) 2.5% ice while (TSP) 10%ice resulted in a significant rise (P<0.05) of pH at the end of storage period. Despite this study demonstrates the effectiveness of (SA) 2.5% ice or (TSP) 10%ice application to control the growth of LM to enhance the microbiological safety of raw fish, (SA) 2.5% ice has the advantages of its organic origin and its desirable lowering pH of stored fish. The public health importance of the organism was discussed and the suggestive measures for control were outlined.

Erythema associated with pain and warmth on face and ears: a variant of erythermalgia or red ear syndrome?

Erythermalgia is a rare cutaneous disorder characterized by attacking of erythema, pain and increased temperature, which primarily involves the extremities and may infrequently extend to the neck, face, ears and even the scrotum. We reported an 18-year-old woman who presented with 3 years history of sole involvement of attacking erythema, pain and warmth over her face and ears without any other associations. The frequency and severity of the flares progressed gradually during the course. Cutaneous examination revealed erythema, increased temperature and tenderness on the face and ears during the flare. The symptoms could be relieved rapidly by cooling. Dermatoscope showed that vessels inside the erythema were more dilated during the episode than after application of ice. The lesion is considered a rare variant of erythermalgia with sole involvement of face and ears. The symptoms had mild response to oral antihistamines, topical steroids and tacrolimus, but had excellent response to the combinative therapy of aspirin and paroxetins.

Evaluation of the Interactive Multisensor Snow and Ice Mapping System (IMS) for monitoring sea ice phenology

We present an evaluation of the Interactive Multisensor Snow and Ice Mapping System (IMS) for monitoring northern hemisphere sea ice phenology. Analysts utilize a variety of datasets to manually derive the daily extent of snow, ice, water and land, available at both 24 and 4km. The 4km IMS product was assessed for 2004–2008 against several previously established melt/freeze algorithms using Scatterometer Image Reconstruction (SIR) SeaWinds/QuikSCAT (QuikSCAT) backscatter (σ°), Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for the Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) brightness temperature (TB) measurements, data from the Special Sensor Microwave/Image data (SSM/I) and sea ice concentrations derived from DMSP Special Sensor Microwave/Imager–Special Sensor Microwave Imager Sounder (SSMI–SSMIS) data (NASATeam dataset). The resolution possible with the 4km IMS product allows for better spatial representation of sea ice along the coastlines, the ice edges and in the narrow channels of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago as compared to the microwave products. IMS detects open water earlier and freeze onset later than the automated microwave products, and also allows for the detection of opening, and the subsequent closing, of leads that the other datasets are unable to detect. Using RADARSAT-1 imagery for evaluation, IMS is shown to outperform the other datasets for the timing and extent of the first open water detection. IMS identified between 17 and 53% greater open water coverage than the other datasets in the narrow channels of the Northwest Passage (Barrow Strait). In order to further the use of IMS for sea ice applications, we derived two new spatial datasets using the full record of IMS data (4km: 2004–present, 24km: 1997–present): melt duration to open water (duration from melt onset detected with SSM/I passive microwave until open water detected by IMS) and first year ice cover duration (duration from freeze onset until open water, both detected by IMS).

History of anaesthesia

The direct application of volatile anaesthetic and the application of intense cold to traumatic injuries and surgical sites were important steps in 18th and 19th century anaesthesia. Local tissue temperature could be brought down by the application of ice and salt by the surgeon. Techniques used topical applications of chloroform, Dutch Oil, amyl hydrate, the vaporisation of nebulised ether, methylene and ethylene chloride applied by spray or fumigation and vaginal douche with carbonic acid gas. Mastering the projection of cold was extremely difficult. Keeping the aperture of the device used for the spraying of anaesthetic liquids clear of obstruction became a major challenge for instrument makers. To improve the precision of the jet, a different system of nozzles had to be invented. Nineteenth century medical practitioners were able to call on general anaesthesia, but some individuals and specific indications such as minor surgery called for an alternative approach. The introduction of cocaine in 1884 completely changed common practice.

Osteoarthritis Prescribing Habits in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia = عادات الوصفات لهشاشة العظام في المنطقة الغربية في المملكة العربية السعودية

Objective: Osteoarthritis prescribing habits in Western Region of KSA and whether they match the guidelines or not. Methods: Qualitative using structured questionnaire via face to face interviews, the study included 100 doctors interfering with OA management. Interviews were conducted in Jeddah & Mecca Hospitals between July and December 2012. Results: 71% of doctors mentioned that they depend on their personal experience and don’t follow International Guidelines (p value < 0.05). All doctors use both Non-pharmacological and Pharmacological measures in the treatment of OA. Non-pharmacological measures are weight reduction (96%), patient’s education (74%), exercise (73%), heat / ice application (39%) and rest (31%). 81% of doctors mentioned that they start treatment with mono-therapy in the form of NSAIDs (36 – 44.44%) which is not matching the guidelines, followed by Paracetamol (32– 39.51%) and Celecoxib (10– 12.35%). 14% mentioned that they start treatment with combined therapy. The most common combination is Glucosamine + Diclophenac/ Celecoxib (4-28.57%) followed by Paracetamol + NSAIDs (3 - 21.43%), Ibuprofen/ Diclophenac + Celecoxib (3-21.43%) and Paracetamol + Celecoxib (2 - 14.29%). Conclusions: Non-pharmacological measures recommended by doctors are weight Reduction, patient education, physiotherapy, exercise, heat application, and ice therapy, which match the international guidelines. Pharmacological measures in form of NSAIDs whether selective or non-selective are the 1st line choice for doctors unlike the international guidelines that recommend Paracetamol as 1st line.

Application of Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation in Cognitive Networks for Optimal Network Selection

Network selection mechanisms play a vital role in ensuring quality of service (QoS)in the cognitive networks environment. In this paper we develop a network selection scheme for an integrated UMTS/WLAN system to guarantee mobile users being always best connected. We focus on the optimization of resource utilization, while ensuring acceptable QoS provision to the end users. The proposed scheme comprises three parts. First one is to detect the availa bility of access networks by following cognitive network architecture under the cross-layer design paradigm. While the second is to apply fuzzy comprehensive evaluation to decide the relative weights of evaluative criteria set according to network condition and serv ice applications. Thirdly, a novel approach using quantum genetic algorithm to adjust the weights of fuzzy comprehensive evaluation is adopted. Extensive computer based simulation experiments were carried out. Simulation results show that this method gives better perf ormance in throughput, delay and average packet loss, hence proves that this method is superior to the traditional methods of link capacity a nd network capacity.

Risk Factors of Significant Pain Syndrome 90 Days After Minor Thoracic Injury: Trajectory Analysis

The objective was to identify the risk factors of clinically significant pain at 90 days in patients with minor thoracic injury (MTI) discharged from the emergency department (ED). A prospective, multicenter, cohort study was conducted in four Canadian EDs from November 2006 to November 2010. All consecutive patients aged 16 years or older with MTI were eligible at discharge from EDs. They underwent standardized clinical and radiologic evaluations at 1 and 2 weeks, followed by standardized telephone interviews at 30 and 90 days. A pain trajectory model characterized groups of patients with different pain evolutions and ascertained specific risk factors in each group through multivariate analysis. In this cohort of 1,132 patients, 734 were eligible for study inclusion. The authors identified a pain trajectory that characterized 18.2% of the study population experiencing clinically significant pain (>3 of 10) at 90 days after a MTI. Multivariate modeling found two or more rib fractures, smoking, and initial oxygen saturation below 95% to be predictors of this group of patients. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first prospective study of trajectory modeling to detect risk factors associated with significant pain at 90 days after MTI. These factors may help in planning specific treatment strategies and should be validated in another prospective cohort.

P.15.9 An X-linked dominant mutation in LAMP2 causing Danon disease associated with myotonia expanding the spectrum

We describe a family with strong family history of cardiomyopathy. The mother has dilated cardiomyopathy with symptoms onset around 40 years old requiring treatment for both heart failure and atrial fibrillation. She does not have muscle weakness and her creatine kinase level was normal. The elder son has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with symptoms onset at 20 years old, a mildly elevated creatine kinase of 1000 U/L but no muscle weakness. The younger brother with limited intelligence was asymptomatic all along. At the age of 15 with an incidental finding of raised serum transaminase levels he was referred for further investigations. Initial consultation confirmed mild proximal weakness, calves hypertrophy, creatine kinase up to 3500 U/L and echocardiogram confirmed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Needle electromyography showed myotonia after ice application. Nerve conduction study with short exercise test showed compound muscle action potentials decrement confirming myotonia. Metabolic workup, DMD gene and CTG repeat mutation study were all negative. The muscle biopsy of the elder brother showed vacuolar myopathy. Subsequent LAMP2 mutation study on exome sequencing confirmed Danon Disease. Mother has subsequently undergone heart transplantation, and vacuolar myocytes are noted in the cardiac muscles. This report describe a family with Danon disease, a rare X-linked dominant condition, but an important differential diagnosis for patient with cardiomyopathy, myopathy and learning difficulty, having a strong family history of cardiomyopathy. While skeletal muscles biopsy showed vacuolar myopathy, these abnormal vacuolar changes also extended to the cardiac muscles. Diagnostic confirmation is important when counseling the long term prognosis for this family. While symptomatic treatment is available for the heart failure, with a progressive course of cardiomyopathy the ultimate cure is heart transplantation.

Dynamic and static wettability of advanced materials used in aeronautical applications

The search for icephobic external surface materials in aircraft icing applications has been ongoing since the early days of aviation. Given the recognized superlative properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) across many different disciplines, the implementation of CNTs in polymer matrix composites has sparked a great interest in their mechanical/electrical properties and wetting character, in addition to their suitability for aircraft icing applications. Within this framework, a new developed methodology capable of determining the nature of wettability, consequent to CNT implementation is desired. Thus, this article presents a novel methodology ‐ henceforth referred to as the dynamic and static wettability scheme for advanced materials ‐ which examines the wettability of materials reinforced with CNTs, for potential utilization within the aerospace industry. The described methodology herein can be employed in order to numerically examine empirically acquired results with an extended possibility to include alternative materials outside the scope of the considered ones. Results are shown for a decision matrix that discriminates between hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces based on their static and dynamic wettability properties. Moreover, idealized wetting character representations of the different considered aerospace materials are presented.

Comparison of Ice and Lidocaine- Prilocaine Cream Mixture in the Reduction of Pain During Peripheral Intravenous Cannulation in Emergency Department Patients

Objective: We aimed to compare the efficacies of ice, lidocaine- prilocaine mixture cream and the classical method in reduction of the pain observed during intravenous cannulation, which is the most frequently performed procedure in emergency departments and to define the most effective method. Material and Methods: One hundred-twenty patients who applied to the emergency department of Uludag University Faculty of Medicine were included in this presented study. Cannulations were performed after one minute application of ice package in the ice group. Patients who applied to emergency only for blood transfusion were chosen for the lidocaine-prilocaine group and their cannulations were performed at the 60 th minute of cream mixture application. Finally, no applications before cannulation were used for the control group. All cannulations were performed from antecubital region and 18 G cannula were used. Visual analog scale (VAS) and patient satisfaction were scored. Results: VAS scores for ice, lidocaine-prilocaine and control groups are 2.8±1.7, 4.1±1.8, 4.4±1.9, respectively. VAS score in the ice group was significantly lower than both lidocaine- prilocaine and control groups. In addition, there was no statistically significant difference between lidocaine- prilocaine and control groups. Conclusion: Ice application method before intravenous cannulation, in addition to its advantages such as being inexpensive, easy to obtain and apply, is more effective than lidocaine- prilocaine cream. (JAEM 2013; 12: 27-9)

Autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells for regeneration of injured equine ligaments and tendons: A clinical report

The use of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) in orthopedic practice has recently and rapidly acquired an important role. Therapies based on the use of MSCs for the treatment of acute injuries as well as chronic inflammatory disorders are gradually becoming clinical routine. These cells have demonstrated intriguing therapeutic potentialities (i.e.: inflammation control, tissue regeneration and pathological scar prevention), that have been taken into consideration for use in both human and veterinary medicine. In particular, horses represent high performance athletes considered models for human pathologies since musculo-skeletal disorders frequently occur in this species. In the past, repair of tendon injures were performed by different methods. In particular, clinical therapy was based on ice application, bandage, box rest and controlled exercise. An alternative approach consisted on the use of corticosteroid (inflammation reduction) and other drugs (sodium hyaluronate, polysulphated glycosaminoglycans, beta aminoproprionitrile fumarate). Furthermore, surgical treatments like accessory ligament desmotomy, local irritation by line firing or pin firing were commonly used. More recently ultrasound, laser therapy, electromagnetic field therapy have been considered. Unfortunately, they did not allow complete tissue healing and quite often animals did not regain competitiveness. In order to minimize this inconvenience, the use of MSCs has been introduced as an alternative to the traditional approach since it represents a potential tool to improve tissue regeneration.Aim of this study was to evaluate the capability of MSCs to improve the functional outcome of horses affected by tendonitis and desmitis. Thirty-three breed and activity-matched horses affected by tendonitis or desmitis, were included in clinical trial scored for lesions and subdivided into two groups. Group 1 animals were treated with autologous MSCs, associated with platelet rich plasma (group 1). Bone marrow samples were collected from the sternum of the treated horses and processed in order to isolate MSCs. Following cell therapy, they were subjected to a rehabilitation period and their ability to resume training was evaluated. In this study, implanted MSCs caused no adverse reactions and thirteen out of the eighteen inoculated horses returned to race competitions. On the contrary, no improvement was seen in the twelve animals of group 2 treated with pin firing, that were not able to resume sport activity. In conclusion the clinical trial proves the safety of equine bone-marrow derived MSCs and a successful outcome of the treated animals that returned to their previous level of sport activity.

Mycobacterium chelonae Facial Infections Following Injection of Dermal Filler

A cluster of 3 facial Mycobacterium chelonae infections occurred after cosmetic dermal filler injections at a plastic surgery clinic. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed that M chelonae isolated from the clinic tap water were identical to the patient wound isolates. Review of injection procedures identified application of nonsterile ice to the skin prior to injection as a possible source of M chelonae. Surveys of regional laboratories and a national plastic surgery listserv identified no other cases related to the injection of this brand of dermal filler. This is the first report of cutaneous M chelonae infections following the injection of dermal fillers. It adds to a growing body of literature on postinjection M chelonae infections and reinforces the importance of optimal skin disinfection steps prior to percutaneous procedures. 5.

The Effects of Multiple Daily Applications of Ice to the Hamstrings on Biochemical Measures, Signs, and Symptoms Associated With Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage

There is inconclusive evidence for the effectiveness of cryotherapy for the treatment of exercised-induced muscle damage (EIMD). Small sample sizes and treatment applications that did not correspond to evidence-based practice are limitations in previous studies that may have contributed to these equivocal findings. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of daily multiple applications of ice on EIMD throughout the 72-hour recovery period, an icing protocol that more closely resembles current clinical practice. Thirty-three subjects were assigned to either the cryotherapy group (n = 23) or control group (n = 10). The EIMD was induced through repeated isokinetic eccentric contractions of the right hamstring muscle group. The experimental group received ice immediately after induction of EIMD and continued to ice thrice a day for 20 minutes throughout the 72 hours; the control group received no intervention. Isometric torque, hamstring length, pain, and biochemical markers (creatine kinase [CK], alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase [AST]) were assessed at baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours. Both groups demonstrated a significant change (p < 0.05) in all dependent variables compared with that at baseline, but there was no difference between groups except for pain. The cryotherapy group had significantly (p = 0.048) less pain (3.0 ± 2.1 cm) compared with the control (5.35 ± 2.5 cm) at 48 hours. Although not statistically significant, the cryotherapy group had a greater range of motion and lower CK and AST means at 72 hours compared with that of the control group. Repeated applications of ice can decrease the pain associated with EIMD significantly at 48 hours post EIMD. Although the results may not be unique, the methodology in this study was distinctive in that we used a larger sample size and an icing protocol similar to current recommended treatment practice.