Nylon Thread Research Articles

Anti-inflammatory and antiresorptive effects of Calendula officinalis on inflammatory bone loss in rats.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antiresorptive effects of Calendula officinalis (CLO) on alveolar bone loss (ABL) in rats. Male Wistar rats were subjected to ABL by ligature with nylon thread around the second upper left molar. The contralateral hemimaxillae were used as control. Rats received saline solution (SAL) or CLO (10, 30, or 90mg/kg) 30min before ligature and daily until the 11th day. The maxillae were removed and prepared for macroscopic, radiographic, micro-tomographic, histopathologic, histometric analysis, and immunohistochemical localization of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG). The gingival tissues were used to quantify the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) concentrations by ELISA. Blood samples were collected for leukogram and to evaluate the bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) activity and serum levels of aspartate and alanine transaminases (AST/ALT). The bone loss induced by 11 days of ligature induced bone loss, reduced levels of BALP, leukocyte infiltration, increased MPO activity, gingival concentrations of TNF-α and IL-1β, and RANKL while reduced OPG immunoexpressions in the periodontal tissue and leukocytosis. Of the CLO, 90mg/kg reduced bone loss, neutrophilia, the levels of pro-inflammatory mediators, and RANKL expression, while it increased OPG immunopositive cells and BALP serum levels, when compared to SAL. CLO did not affect either kidney or liver function, indicated by serum AST/ALT levels. The present data suggests that CLO reduced inflammatory bone resorption in experimental periodontitis, which may be mediated by its anti-inflammatory properties and its effects on bone metabolism. CLO can be a potential therapeutical adjuvant in the treatment of periodontitis.

Cerebral vascular protective effect of ginkgo diterpene lactone meglumine injection

The left middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was made by inserting the nylon thread plug into the internal carotid artery. The behavioral score, cerebral infarction area, brain water content, ethidium bromide (EB) spillover, coagulation four indices, occludin and MMP-9 expression in brain tissues were detected after 14 days of administration, to investigate whether the protective effect of ginkgo diterpene lactone meglumine injection (GDLMI) which had obvious protective effect on cerebral ischemic injury in the previous experiment was related to reducing the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and reducing the risk of bleeding, and to explore its possible mechanism of action. The results showed that GDLMI could effectively alleviate the behavioral changes caused by MCAO at 24 h, reduce the behavioral score, improve the edema of brain tissue, reduce the EB overflow rate, reduce the bleeding tendency caused by long-term administration, significantly reduce the occlusion deficiency in ischemic brain tissue of model rats, and down-regulate MMP-9 expression. The above results indicate that GDLMI has obvious effect on cerebral ischemia, and the therapeutic effect of GDLMI may mainly depend on lowering the permeability of blood-brain barrier to improve brain edema.

Stemodia maritima L. Extract Decreases Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Alveolar Bone Loss in an Experimental Periodontitis Rat Model.

Periodontitis is very prevalent worldwide and is one of the major causes of tooth loss in adults. About 80% of the worldwide population use medicinal plants for their health care. Stemodia maritima L. (S. maritima) antioxidant and antimicrobial effects in vitro as well as anti-inflammatory properties. Herein, the potential therapeutic effect of S. maritima was assessed in rats subjected to experimental periodontitis (EP). EP was induced in female Wistar rats by nylon thread ligature around 2nd upper left molars for 11 days. Animals received (per os) S. maritima (0.2; 1 or 5 mg/kg) or vehicle (saline + DMSO) 1 h before ligature and then once daily for 11 days. The naive group had no manipulation. After this time-point, the animals were terminally anesthetized, and the maxillae were removed for morphometric and histological analyzes (HE). Gingival tissues were dissected to cytokine levels detection (TNF-α, IL1-β, CINC-1, and IL-10), enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) analysis, as well as gene expression (TNF-α, IL-1β, RANK, and iNOS) by qRT-PCR. Systemic parameters (weight variation, plasma levels of hepatic enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine, total alkaline phosphatase (TALP), and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) were performed. Histological analysis of the stomach, liver, kidney, and heart was also performed. S. maritima (5 mg/kg) decreased alveolar bone loss, TNF-α and CINC-1 gingival levels, oxidative stress, and transcription of TNF-α, IL1-β, RANK, and iNOS genes. It elevated both BALP activity and IL-10 gingival levels. The animals showed no any signs of toxicity. In conclusion, S. maritima reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine production, oxidative stress, and alveolar bone loss in a pre-clinical trial of periodontitis. S. maritima is a potential tool for controlling the development of periodontitis.

Monkey flosses its teeth with a bird feather

Honnavalli Kumara at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History in Coimbatore, India, and colleagues followed 20 Nicobar long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis umbrosus) on Great Nicobar Island in the Indian Ocean. Many of the macaques' favored foods are thorny, slimy or mucky. To get rid of these inedible coatings, the macaques either wash the food in puddles or wrap it in leaves and rub them clean. They also wrap leaves around foods to make them easier to hold. After eating, adult and sub-adult macaques clean their teeth. Nine were seen holding a fine fiber between their teeth and pulling at it. These included a tree needle, a bird feather, a blade of grass, a coconut fiber, a nylon thread and a metal wire.

Predicting Linear Elongation With Conductive Thread-Based Sensors

Conductive thread-based sensors have the potential to offer ambulatory measurement of body movement and posture. While such sensors have been previously described in terms of their overall correlation with existing measurement modalities, the ability of thread-based sensors to predict linear elongation has yet to be investigated. We constructed multiple stitched sensors, 20 cm in length, using two silver-coated nylon threads and seven different types of stitches, including cover and overlock stitches. Stitched sensors underwent elongation and cyclic stress tests while sensor resistance was recorded. Optimal predictive functions were derived for each sensor such that the range-normalized error was minimized. Responses were found to be governed by the combination of stitch geometry and physical properties of the threads. The average error in predicting elongation was 14% of the usable sensor range, suggesting that the stitched sensors are perhaps better suited to intermittent detection of stretched versus unstretched states rather than continuous prediction of absolute elongation. Nonetheless, coverstitches were generally superior to overlock stitches in terms of minimizing range-normalized error. The path of the conductive looper thread and the presence of stabilizing needle threads were important determinants of the sensor’s prediction capability and repeatability. Stress tests revealed a systematic upward drift of the resistance response curve for all sensors over repeated trials, suggesting that these stitched sensors require adequate recovery time between measurements. Given the possibility of applying stitched sensors non-destructively to existing garments, further study of these sensors—particularly those comprising multiple independent stitches in novel stitch geometries—remains worthwhile.

Levator Aponeurosis and Muller Muscle Plication Reinforced With Levator Sheath Advancement for Blepharoptosis Correction.

The authors innovated the levator aponeurosis and Muller muscle plication reinforced with levator sheath advancement (AMPSA) for blepharoptosis correction. The orbital septum was opened 1 mm above its fusion with the levator aponeurosis. The preaponeurotic fat was retracted and the thickened part of the levator sheath was identified. Two plication sutures were made: medial suture at the medial border of the pupil and lateral between the lateral border of the pupil and the lateral limbus. A needle with 6-0 nylon thread first bit the tarsal plate approximately 1 mm below its upper border, then bit the levator aponeurosis and the Muller muscle together at 3 to 6 mm above the upper border of the tarsal plate. The needle bit 1 to 3 mm of the thickened part of the levator sheath and the suture was tied. A total of 116 eyes were operated on using levator aponeurosis and Muller muscle plication (AMP), and 79 eyes using AMPSA. The mean follow-up period was 11.4 months. In the AMP group, the postoperative marginal reflex distance-1 (MRD-1) (3.8 ± 0.2 mm) was significantly greater than the preoperative MRD-1 (2.7 ± 0.3 mm) (P < 0.001). In the AMPSA group, the postoperative MRD-1 (3.5 ± 0.3 mm) was also significantly greater than the preoperative MRD-1 (1.7 ± 0.4 mm) (P < 0.001). The improvement in MRD-1 was greater in the AMPSA group (1.7 ± 0.4 mm) than in the AMP group (1.1 ± 0.3 mm) (P < 0.001). The difference in the MRD-1 outcome between AMPSA and AMP (0.6 mm) was obtained by advancing the thickened part of the levator sheath. AMPSA may be an effective procedure for correcting blepharoptosis.

Hair-on-hair static friction coefficient can be determined by tying a knot

Characterizing the tribological properties of the hair–hair interface is important to quantify the manageability of hair and to assess the performance of hair care products. Audoly et al. (Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 164301, 2007) derived an equation relating the self-friction coefficient of an elastic fiber to the dimensions of a simple, relaxed overhand knot made from this fiber. I experimentally tested and validated their equation using nylon thread and an independent measurement of its self-friction coefficient. I show that this methodology can be applied to provide high-throughput data on the static self-friction coefficient of single hair fibers in various conditions and to quantitatively assess how hair care treatments (conditioner, relaxant) alter frictional properties. I find that treatment of hair with 1M sodium hydroxide leads to a quick, irreversible self-friction coefficient increase; the resulting fine frictional fibers can be used to form very small knots for microsurgical vessel and organ ligature in medicine or embryology. The relaxed overhand knot method can more generally be used to measure the self-friction coefficients of a wide range of elastic fibers from the nano- (e.g. proteins, nanotubes) to the macro-scale (e.g. textile fiber, fiberglass).

Role of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activation in the pathogenesis of periodontitis in diabetes.

The aetiology of progressive periodontitis in diabetes has not yet been elucidated. We previously demonstrated that nitrosative stress is increased in diabetic rats with periodontitis. Nitrosative stress induces poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) activation. Here, we demonstrated the involvement of PARP activation in diabetic periodontitis and detailed the therapeutic effects of PARP inhibitor. Experimental periodontitis was induced by placing a nylon thread ligature. Half of the normal and diabetic rats received the PARP inhibitor, 1,5-isoquinolinediol, for 2weeks. Gingival PARP activation was detected by immunostaining for poly(ADP-ribose). Periodontitis was evaluated by gingival inflammatory cell infiltration, inflammatory gene expressions and micro-CT analyses. Although both periodontitis and the presence of diabetes increased PARP activation in the gingiva, diabetic rats with periodontitis had the highest activation of PARP. Diabetic rats with periodontitis also showed significant increases in monocyte/macrophage invasion into the gingiva, inflammatory gene expressions, nitrotyrosine-positive cells in the gingiva and alveolar bone loss, all of which were suppressed by treatment with the PARP inhibitor. These results indicate the involvement of PARP activation in the pathogenesis and aggravation of periodontal disease in diabetes and suggest the therapeutic potential of PARP inhibition for treating periodontal disease, especially in patients with diabetes.

Stiffness control of a nylon twisted coiled actuator for use in mechatronic rehabilitation devices.

Mechatronic rehabilitation devices, especially wearables, have been researched extensively and proven to be promising additions to physical therapy, but most designs utilize traditional actuators providing unnatural, robot-like movements. Therefore, many researchers have focused on the development of actuators that mimic biological properties to provide patients with improved results, safety, and comfort. Recently, a twisted-coiled actuator (TCA) made from nylon thread has been found to possess many of these important properties when heated, such as variable stiffness, flexibility, and high power density. So far, TCAs have been characterized in controlled environments to define their fundamental properties under simple loading configurations. However, for an actuator like this to be implemented in a biomimetic design such as an exoskeleton, it needs to be characterized and controlled as a biological muscle. One major control law that natural muscles exhibit is stiffness control, allowing humans to passively avoid injury from external forces, or move the limbs in a controlled or high impact motion. This type of control is created by the antagonistic muscle arrangement. In this paper, an antagonistic apparatus was developed to model the TCAs from a biological standpoint, the stiffness was characterized with respect to the TCA temperature, and a fully functional stiffness and position controller was implemented with an incorporated TCA thermal model. The stiffness was found to have a linear relationship to the TCA temperatures (R2=0.95). The controller performed with a stiffness accuracy of 98.95% and a position accuracy of 92.7%. A final trial with varying continuous position input and varying stepped stiffness input exhibited position control with R2=0.9638.

Osteoarthritis of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Medial Tibial Plateau: A Cadaveric Study.

The objective of this study was to analyze morphometric anatomy and damages with aging in cadaveric knee specimens specific to the cruciate ligaments, the articular cartilage of the tibial plateau, and the menisci. Morphometric analyses to cadaveric anatomy of the knee were performed using Image-Pro® software on 3 age populations: <70 years old, 70 to 79 years old, and ≥80 years old. An average thickness of the cruciate ligaments was assessed with 5 circumferential measurements per specimen using nylon thread. Percent degeneration of the tibial plateau's articular cartilage and coverage by menisci was assessed with surface area measurements. The articular cartilage of the medial tibial plateau in ≥80 years old specimens showed a 1.7-fold increase in surface area degeneration (mm2) compared to 70 to 79 years old specimens ( P < 0.05). The medial meniscus also experienced degenerative changes with aging, which were expressed as decreases in tibial plateau coverage. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) experienced substantial degenerative thinning with aging. The 70 to 79 years old specimens had a 1.2-fold (10.5%) decrease in average ACL circumference (mm) compared to the <70 years old specimens ( P < 0.001). The ≥80 years old specimens had a 1.24-fold (19%) decrease in ACL circumference compared to the <70 years old specimens ( P < 0.001). ACL thinning during aging may be leading to substantial articular cartilage and menisci degeneration given the cruciate ligaments are a primary restraint that combats shearing forces at the knee joint.

Perbedaan Kejadian Perdarahan Dan Infeksi Tali Pusat Yang Diikat Dengan Benang Dan Umbilical Cord Clamp

The use of two different methods of tying the umbilical cord has different consequences for the emergence of the risk of bleeding and infection in the umbilical cord. This research objective is determining the differences of bleeding and umbilical cord infection that has bound with yarn and umbilical cord clamp . Population studied were all babies born in hospitals Pare and RS Gambiran on the date of July 1 to 29, 2013, by using accidental sampling technique obtained sample was 23 respondents consisting of 11 respondents from hospitals Pare and 12 respondents from hospitals Gambiran. The data was collected using observation sheets, the results are then analyzed using fisher exact. The results of analysis shown that (p = 0,522) &gt; (α = 5%), so that there was no significant difference in the binding of a baby with umbilical cord bleeding events in hospitals and hospitals Gambiran Pare. The results of analysis shown that (p = 0,522) ; (α = 5%) , so there was no significant differences in binding of the baby's umbilical cord with the incidence of infection in hospitals and hospitals Gambiran Pare. Expected for healthcare institutions that still use nylon thread to tie the umbilical cord, can replace the use of umbilical cord clamp because of a risk of bleeding and infection was lower when care at home.; Keywords : Umbilical Cord Binding, Bleeding, Infection

A neonatal rat model of increased right ventricular afterload by pulmonary artery banding

ObjectiveTo construct a neonatal rat model of increased right ventricular (RV) afterload for studying the pathophysiological remodeling of the right ventricle in patients with congenital heart disease with increased RV afterload. MethodsSurgery was performed within 6 hours after birth. Horizontal thoracotomy was performed by dissecting the intercostal muscles and splitting the sternum. The PA was then banded with 11-0 nylon thread. At postnatal day 7 (P7), constriction of PA was confirmed by echocardiography. The RV systolic and diastolic pressures were measured by cardiac catheterization. The RV end-systolic volume, end-diastolic volume, end-diastolic diameter, and free wall thickness were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging. The histological changes in sham-operated and PA-banding (PAB) hearts were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining. ResultsIncreased RV afterload was established by constriction of the PA in neonatal rats within 6 hours after birth. The survival rate was 75% at P7. Relative to the sham group, the peak pressure gradient across the PA constriction and RV systolic and diastolic pressures, end-systolic volume, end-diastolic volume, end-diastolic diameter, and free wall thickness were significantly increased in the PAB group at P7 (P < .01). Consistently, histological examination showed that the RV free wall was significantly hypertrophic in the PAB group. ConclusionsWe successfully established a neonatal RV afterload increase model through PAB within 6 hours after birth, which can be used to study the pathophysiological changes in congenital heart diseases with increased RV afterload.

Tehran's Tie: A simple trick to fix the trocar to the abdominal wall and close the entry site of first trocar in laparoscopic surgery.

Trocar dislodgment can occur frequently during minimally invasive surgery. Closing the entry port at the fascial layer after the end of a long laparoscopic surgery is time-consuming. Here, I introduce Tehran's Tie, a simple trick to overcome these problems. After the first trocar site has been created with the open technique and before the first port is inserted, the fascial wound is grasped with a loop of nylon thread, similar to a transverse matrix suture. Then, the trocar is inserted through the loop into the abdominal cavity. One thread is tied around the trocar to fix it. Another thread is used to tie and close the fascial defect at the end of laparoscopic surgery. Tehran's Tie is a simple trick for managing the first trocar site in laparoscopic surgery. It is a very useful and easy trick for fixing the first trocar to the abdominal wall and for closing the port site at the end of the procedure.

The value of homemade phantoms for training veterinary students in the ultrasonographic detection of radiolucent foreign bodies.

Ingested or penetrating foreign bodies are common in veterinary medicine. When they are radiolucent, these objects become a diagnostic challenge, but they can be investigated sonographically. However, successful object identification depends on the skill of the sonographer. Considering that these cases appear randomly during hospital routines, it is not always possible to train all students to identify them correctly. Therefore, the aim of this study was to produce homemade simulations of radiolucent foreign bodies for veterinary student demonstrations that could be identified sonographically and to evaluate the acceptability, applicability, and usefulness of these simulations according to a visual analog scale questionnaire and subjective questions. For this purpose, object models (a pacifier nipple, a toy ball, a sock, nylon thread, and a mango seed) were designed, produced, and immersed in gelatin. To simulate wood splinters in the integumentary and musculoskeletal system, a piece of meat punctured with a toothpick and ice cream stick splinters were used. The type of phantom had a determinant effect on the visualization (chi-square = 36.528, P < 0.0001) and recognition (chi-square = 18.756, P = 0.0021) capability of the students. All of the students answered that their experience with the models could help in real situations. The student responses to the questionnaire indicated that the project was well accepted, and the participants believed that this experience could be applicable to and useful in veterinary routines.

Thread-based microfluidic chips as a platform to assess acetylcholinesterase activity.

In this paper, a microfluidic thread-based analytical device (μTAD) to assess the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) via colorimetric analylsis is described. Fabrication of the device consists of two platforms, both with a nylon thread trifurcated into three channels terminating at open analysis sites at the end of the thread. 5,5'-Dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) was spotted and dried on the analysis sites. Acetylthiocholine iodide (ATC) (or cysteine, Cys) is transported through an inlet channel of the nylon thread by capillary action due to the hydrophilic nature of nylon. AChE is transported through the other inlet channel and mixes with the ATC (or Cys) as they travel up to the analysis sites. As the solution reaches the analysis sites, an intense yellow color change occurs indicating the reaction of the thiol with DTNB to produce the yellow anion TNB2- . The sites are then dried, scanned, yielding a linear range of inverse yellow mean intensity versus substrate concentration. An IC50 value (1.74 nM) with a known inhibitor, neostigmine bromide (NB), is obtained on the device. The multiplex design enables triplicate data collection in a device that is easy to use. μTADs have great potential to be employed in a myriad of tests including point-of-care diagnostic devices for resource-challenged settings.

Highly sensitive textile-based strain sensors using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate/silver nanowire-coated nylon threads with poly-l-lysine surface modification

A highly sensitive textile-based strain sensor using a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate/silver nanowire -coated nylon thread is demonstrated.

Nerve growth factor release from the urothelium increases via activation of bladder C-fiber in rats with cerebral infarction.

There are some reports that bladder C-fibers are partially involved in detrusor overactivity in patients with brain lesions. We investigated the contribution of bladder C-fiber to decreased bladder capacity in rats with cerebral infarction. Cerebral infarction was induced under halothane anesthesia by left middle cerebral artery occlusion with 4-0 nylon thread in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Intramural amounts of ATP and prostaglandin E2 , in vivo and in vitro ATP, NGF, and prostaglandin E2 release from the distended bladder urothelium, and changes in mRNA expressions of sensor molecules and receptors were monitored 6 h after the occlusion. Cystometry was performed in rats with or without resiniferatoxin pretreatment. Overexpression of sensor molecule, transient receptor potential vanilloid-type channel 1, acid-sensing ion channel 2, purinergic receptors P2X3 , and M2 /M3 muscarinic receptors was found in the bladder. These changes were accompanied by increases in ATP and NGF release from the urothelium. In contrast, when bladder C-fibers were desensitized by resiniferatoxin, no increase in NGF release from the urothelium was found either in vivo or in vitro. There was no difference in the percentage decrease in bladder capacity between cerebral infarction rats pretreated with resiniferatoxin and cerebral infarction rats without pretreatment. Results indicate that expression of sensor molecules in the bladder is altered by distant infarction in the brain. ATP and NGF release from the urothelium also increased. NGF release was related to activation of bladder C-fibers. Bladder C-fibers might not contribute much to decreased bladder capacity caused by cerebral infarction.

Turbulence in microfluidics: Cleanroom-free, fast, solventless, and bondless fabrication and application in high throughput liquid-liquid extraction

This paper addresses an important breakthrough in the deployment of ultra-high adhesion strength microfluidic technologies to provide turbulence at harsh flow rate conditions. This paper is only, to our knowledge, the second reporting on the generation of high flow rate-assisted turbulence in microchannels. This flow solves a crucial bottleneck in microfluidics: the generation of high throughput homogeneous mixings. We focused on the fabrication of bulky polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchips (without any interfaces) rather than the laborious surface modifications that were employed in the first reporting about turbulence-assisted microfluidics. The fabrication is cleanroom-free, simple, low-cost, fast, solventless, and bondless requiring only a laboratory oven. More specifically, our method relies on the shaping of a nylon scaffold, cure of PDMS with embedded nylon, and removal of this scaffold. The scaffold was obtained by manually wrapping nylon threads. The withdrawing out of the scaffold was completed in few seconds using only a plier. Such microchannels endured flow rates of up to 60.0 mL min−1 with a strikingly low elastic deformation. The importance in producing turbulence into microscale channels was successfully shown in liquid-liquid extractions. The great energy dissipation rate relative to the turbulence created high throughput and efficient extractions in microfluidics for the first time. The residence time was only 0.01 s at 25.0 mL min−1 (total flow rate of the immiscible phases). In addition, the partition coefficient determined in a single run was similar to that obtained by the conventional batch shake-flask method that was realized in triplicate.

MPS 13-06 APPLICATION OF NOVEL REDUCED UTERINE PERFUSION PRESSURE (RUPP) MODEL OF PREECLAMPSIA IN C57BL/6J MICE

Objective: Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-induced hypertension with proteinuria that typically develops after 20 weeks of gestation. A reduction in uterine blood flow causes placental ischemia and placental release of anti-angiogenic factors such as soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-1) followed by PE. Although the reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) model is widely used in rats, investigating the genetics of PE has been problematic because it has been difficult to make a useful RUPP model in mice. We established novel RUPP model of PE in outbred ICR-strain. The aim of the present study is to develop RUPP model ofC57BL/6J (B6)-strain mice, widely used strain in genetically engineered mice. Design and Method: We bilaterally ligated ovarian vessels distal to ovarian branches, uterine vessels, or both in B6-strain mice at 14.5 days post coitum (dpc). BP, renal phenotype and pregnancy outcome were analyzed. Results: Unlike the RUPP models in ICR-strain mice, ligation of ovarian vessels distal to ovarian branches, uterine vessels without space caused miscarriage in B6-strain mice. We next tied uterine vessels with nylon thread, followed by removal of the thread to provide a small space. This caused significant fetal growth restriction. Conclusions: Pregnancy outcome caused by RUPP in mice was different depending on mouse strains. This model is expected to be useful for investigating pathogenesis of PE in genetically engineered mice and for evaluating new therapies for PE.

A novel technique of introducing the mesh at the distal dissection while performing laparoscopic ventral rectopexy

Laparoscopic ventral rectopexy (LVR) is considered an effective treatment for rectal prolapse and/or rectoanal intussusception. After the dissection of the rectovaginal septum down to the pelvic floor, a strip of mesh is introduced and should be secured as distally as possible. We have developed a novel technique of introducing the mesh at the distal dissection. A nylon thread with straight needle was passed through the posterior wall of vagina at the distal extent of the dissection, which was caught in the abdominal cavity and fixed at the end of the mesh extracorporeally. The mesh was then introduced, pulled toward the pelvic floor and settled at the pierced site by the perineal operator. Sixty-eight female patients underwent LVR using this technique. There were no intra-operative and postoperative mesh-related complications. The mean distance from the vaginal ostium to the point of passing a nylon thread through the posterior wall of the vagina was 2cm. Postoperative proctography showed the anatomical correction in 47 of the 48 patients who were examined. The surgeon can confirm that the mesh is introduced and secured at the distal dissection by using this technique while performing LVR.