White Rabbits Research Articles

Functional and morphological comparison of extracellular matrices derived from porcine small intestinal submucosa and porcine dermis to support rabbit uterus regeneration.

he aim of this study was to compare the ability of extracellular matrices (ECMs) of various structural origins to support uterus regeneration and maintain contractile function. The experiment was carried out in 18 New Zealand white female rabbits divided into a control group and two experimental groups. In the control group, bipolar electrodes were attached to the uterine horns to collect electromyography data. In the experimental groups, uterine horns were partially excised with immediate implantation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) derived from porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS), DynaMatrix®, or from porcine dermis, Medeor® Matrix. Twelve weeks later, bipolar electrodes were attached to the regeneration areas in both experimental groups. The electromyography data in all groups were continuously recorded after administration of a single dose of estradiol valerate. Fourteen weeks after EMCs implantation, the rabbits were spayed, and the uterine wall was sampled for histological and immunohistochemical evaluation. The regenerated uterus retained the myoelectric activity pattern, and the mean amplitudes of maximum deflections did not differ between the experimental and control groups. The regeneration supported by the SIS-derived ECM was more advanced than that supported by the dermal-derived ECM. However, some pathological changes were noted in both experimental groups within the regeneration areas.

Fiber-optic time-frequency transfer in gigabit ethernet networks over urban fiber links.

We demonstrate a new optical pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) scheme where joint ultrastable time-frequency and gigabit ethernet data transfer with the same laser wavelength is realized. Time transmission is compatible with the White Rabbit (WR) based on gigabit ethernet networks, and frequency transmission is achieved by using 100MHz radio frequency (RF) modulation and the round-trip compensation methods. The laser is on-off keying (OOK) modulated by the WR signal, the RF and WR signal are modulated by optical PAM in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer modulator (MZM), and the local and remote site are connected by 96km urban fiber in Shanghai. The experimental results demonstrate that the frequency instabilities are 5.7E-14/1 s and 5.9E-17/104s, and the time interval transfer of 1 pulse per second (PPS) signal with less than 300fs stability after 104 s are obtained. This novel scheme can transmit frequency signals at hydrogen-maser-level stability in the gigabit ethernet network.

The novel transmission scheme with CAT Ethernet cable and SFP for White Rabbit

White Rabbit (WR) is a deterministic Ethernet-based network for general-purpose data transfer and sub-nanosecond time synchronization in large distributed systems. WR has been used in Large Hadron Collider and Large High-Altitude Air Shower Observatory for physics experiment. WR mainly uses the optical fiber for data transmission between WR devices. Commercial off-the-shelf Direct Attach Cable is not suitable for WR network at 100 m level distance. Considering the lower cost of Category (CAT) Ethernet cable compared to optical fiber and the demand of remote power supply in distributed system at 100 m level length, we developed a novel transmission scheme with CAT Ethernet cable for WR. The novel transmission scheme uses the CAT Ethernet cable and small form-factor pluggable connector which is compatible with the optical links. This scheme only uses two pairs of twisted lines in the CAT Ethernet cable for data uplink and downlink. The other two pairs of twisted lines are used for remote power supply. The novel transmission scheme could use the CAT Ethernet cable to complete remote power supply and time synchronization with expected time offset of less than 100 ps and standard deviation of less than 20 ps in the WR distributed system. The distance of distributed nodes could be 80 m with one CAT 7 Ethernet cable or 150 m with relay transceiver connecting two CAT 7 Ethernet cables. In the short-distance scenarios, the novel transmission scheme has lower cost than the optical fiber and additional power supply function.

Preclinical Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Chondroitin Sulfate

Chondroitin sulfate is used for osteoarthritis combination therapy. It should be taken into account that the structure and properties of polysaccharides included in chondroitin sulfate, as well as the raw materials used for its production, have a significant effect on its absorption, bioavailability, and, as a consequence, on the safety and efficacy of orally administered products.The aim of the study was to assess toxic properties, local irritant effect, immunotoxicity, basic pharmacokinetic parameters, and therapeutic efficacy of the new Chondroitin sulfate product (produced by Federal State Unitary Enterprise “Moscow Endocrine Plant”, Russia) as compared to Structum (produced by “Pierre Fabre Medicament Production”, France).Materials and methods: White Giant rabbits were used in the experiments. Toxicity, immunotoxicity and local irritation effects of the products were assessed following daily oral administration at the dose of 168 mg/kg (about 6 Maximum Recommended Therapeutic Doses) to male and female rabbits for 28 days. The follow-up period was 14 days. The pharmacokinetic study included blood sampling on days 1‒2 of the experiment, complete blood count and blood chemistry tests were performed on days 28 and 43. After killing the animals, pathomorphological and histological examinations were performed on their organs and tissues. Therapeutic efficacy was studied in an osteoarthritis model made by cruciate ligament transaction in rabbits. The animals received therapy at doses of 16.8 mg/kg, 33.6 mg/kg, and 67.2 mg/kg for 56 days starting from day 8 after the pathology induction.Results: the medicines had no toxic, local irritant, or immunotoxic effect. The NOAEL was established at 168 mg/kg. The study demonstrated the comparability of the pharmacokinetic profiles of the studied products following single oral administration. The maximum concentration of the active ingredient (Cmax = 79 ± 6 μg/mL—Chondroitin sulfate; Cmax = 71 ± 4 μg/mL— Structum) in blood plasma was observed within 3–4 hours after administration. A decrease in the severity of cartilage structural damage was observed for the doses of 33.6 mg/kg and 67.2 mg/kg. The results of quantitative determination of sulfated glycosaminoglicans in the proteoglycans of the cartilage articular surface in the animals with osteoarthritis demonstrated an increase in the level of sulfated glycosaminoglicans in the groups treated with the maximum doses of the studied products, as compared to the other groups.Conclusions: the obtained data confirm that the test product has a favourable safety profile, and therapeutic (chondroprotective) effect. All the tested properties of Chondroitin sulfate were comparable to those of Structum.

Around the World in 50 Restaurants

Around the World in 50 Restaurants

Enhancing White Rabbit Synchronization Stability and Scalability Using P2P Transparent and Hybrid Clocks

Time synchronization faces an increasing performance demand nowadays. This is particularly common in different segments, such as new scientific infrastructures, power grid, telecommunications or fifth-generation (5G) wireless networks. All of them share the need for a time synchronization technology offering a very low synchronization error along large networks. The new version of the IEEE-1588-2019 protocol offers a considerable performance improvement thanks to the high accuracy profile based on white rabbit (WR). The original WR implementation guarantees a synchronization accuracy below 1 ns for a small number of cascaded nodes. This contribution evaluates the performance degradation when a considerable number of devices are deployed in cascaded configurations. In order to improve the performance, different delay measurement implementations have been evaluated in a series of experiments. The results prove the considerable benefits of our implementation against the current WR implementation.

Effect of Unsaturated Fatty Acid Omega-3 on Some Biochemical Criteria in White New Zealand Rabbits Administrated with Cyclosporine Drug

The present study was aimed efficiency to evaluate the unsaturated fatty acid omega-3 in reducing the side effects that resulted from the administration of cyclosporine drug in white rabbits. (60) white males' rabbits were used in this study, divided into four groups contain (15) rabbits per group and its subdivision into three groups (5) rabbits per group. The first group is orally administered with normal saline, the second group was administered cyclosporine (25mg/kg) only. Third groups were administered cyclosporine on the first day and omega-3 (500mg/kg) on the second day, while Fourth groups were administered cyclosporine on the first day and omega-3 (1000mg/kg) on the second day for periods (21,30,60) days respectively. After ending study periods, the animals were sacrificed and the blood was collected and the results were shown the following: Administration with cyclosporine (25mg/kg)only and for periods were led to a significant increase(P<0.05) in total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein(LDL) and a significant decrease(P<0.05) in high-density lipoprotein(HDL).whereas interaction with (500&1000mg/kg) of omega-3 and to all periods showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein(LDL) and significant decrease(p<0.05) in high-density lipoprotein(HDL), while the non-significant difference in high-density lipoprotein(HDL). This study concluded that omega-3 has an important role in reducing biochemistry side effects that result from the administration of cyclosporine drugs in white rabbits.

Precise Network Time Monitoring: Picosecond-Level Packet Timestamping for Fintech Networks

Network visibility and monitoring are critical in modern networks due to the increased density, additional complexity, higher bandwidth, and lower latency requirements. Precise packet timestamping and synchronization are essential to temporally correlate captured information in different datacenter locations. This is key for visibility, event ordering and latency measurements in segments as telecom, power grids and electronic trading in finance, where order execution and reduced latency are critical for successful business outcomes. This contribution presents Precise Network Time Monitoring (PNTM), a novel mechanism for asynchronous Ethernet packet timestamping which adapts a Digital Dual Mixer Time Difference (DDMTD) implemented in an FPGA. Picosecond-precision packet timestamping is outlined for 1 Gigabit Ethernet. Furthermore, this approach is combined with the White Rabbit (WR) synchronization protocol, used as reference for the IEEE 1588–2019 High Accuracy Profile to provide unprecedented packet capturing correlation accuracy in distributed network scenarios thanks to its sub-nanosecond time transfer. The paper presents different application examples, describes the method of implementation, integration of WR with PNTM and subsequently describes experiments to demonstrate that PNTM is a suitable picosecond-level distributed packet timestamping solution.

Early life thermal stress modulates hepatic expression of thermotolerance related genes and physiological responses in two rabbit breeds

There are few data about early thermal conditioning (TC) and its effect on later life in rabbits. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the impact of exposing two rabbit breeds to early age short-term heat stress (EA-STHS) on physiological parameters and hepatic expression levels of some genes. Rabbits from New Zealand White (NZW) and Baladi Black (BB) rabbit breeds were reared in a controlled environmental chamber (28 ± 2 °C and 40 ± 2% RH). At 42 days of age, rabbits from both breeds were equally divided into two groups; control (untreated) and heat exposed groups (kept at 36 ± 1 °C and 62% RH for 6 h). At 13 weeks of age, rabbits of all groups were re-exposed to acute heat stress (36 ± 1 °C and 62% RH for 6 h). At 13 weeks of age, plasma CORT, plasma MDA, and hepatic MDA had significantly lower levels in the rabbits from the two breeds subjected to EA-STHS than untreated control groups. plasma TAC and the relative hepatic expression of all the studied genes like Hsp70, HspA9, Hsp90α and UCP2 had significantly higher levels in EA-STHS treated NZW and BB rabbits compared with the control groups. In conclusion, the results suggest that EA-STHS has a long-lasting effect on the later life response to acute heat stress in NZW and BB breeds, as indicated by the hepatic expression profile of several genes, corticosterone, and antioxidant parameters. Additionally, each breed had characteristic patterns for the tested parameters at each time point and treatment. HIGHLIGHTS Rabbits are susceptible to thermal stress, which is associated with adverse effects on production and reproduction traits. Early-age thermal conditioning is one of the suggested protective treatments to reduce the heat stress adverse effects. Early age short-term thermal stress may induce thermotolerance ability to later time heat exposure in both rabbit breeds.

Silva KG, Rotta I, Costa LB, Sotomaior CS: Comparison of 2 portable human glucometers for the measurement of blood glucose concentration in White New Zealand rabbits. J Vet Diagn Invest 32(5): 683-688, 2020.

Silva KG, Rotta I, Costa LB, Sotomaior CS: Comparison of 2 portable human glucometers for the measurement of blood glucose concentration in White New Zealand rabbits. J Vet Diagn Invest 32(5): 683-688, 2020.

Hematological Picture of Rabbits Immunized with Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The current study was established to find out the role of immunization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa-whole sonicated antigen in adult white fur domestic rabbits. To achieve this goal, fifteen rabbits were allocated into 3 groups, the first group was immunized with P. aeruginosa–whole sonicated antigen and challenged with viable pathogenic P. aeruginosa; the second group (control negative) was treated with phosphate buffer saline and the third group was injected with viable pathogenic P. aeruginosa (control positive). The results demonstrated increasing levels of the measured parameters blood picture (total WBCs, lymphocytes, and granulocytes, RBCs and hemoglobin concentrations) in the first group compared with control negative group (T test was used). In contrast, a sharp fall was noted in total thrombocytes (platelets) count in the first group compared with control negative group. It can be concluded that immunization with P. aeruginosa– whole sonicated antigen may consider as a potent reproducible effective immunogen model for experimental immunological studies in rabbits.

Transplantation of chicken egg white extract-induced rabbit PBMCs as a treatment for renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rabbits.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury is an important contributor to acute kidney injury and a major factor affecting early functional recovery after kidney transplantation. We conducted this experiment to investigate the protective effect of induced multipotent stem cell transplantation on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Forty rabbits were divided into four groups of 10 rabbits each. Thirty rabbits were used to establish the renal ischemia-reperfusion injury model, and ten rabbits served as the model group and were not treated. Among the 30 rabbits with renal ischemia-reperfusion injury, 10 rabbits were treated with induced peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and 10 other rabbits were treated with noninduced PBMCs. After three weekly treatments, the serum creatinine levels, urea nitrogen levels and urine protein concentrations were quantified. The kidneys were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE), periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Masson's trichrome and then sent for commercial metabolomic testing. The kidneys of the rabbits in the model group showed different degrees of pathological changes, and the recovery of renal function was observed in the group treated with induced cells. The results indicate that PBMCs differentiate into multipotent stem cells after induction and exert a therapeutic effect on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Synchronization of Coherent Netted Radar Using White Rabbit Compared With One-Way Multichannel GPSDOs

Accurate and stable time and frequency transfer (TFT) is typically required in distributed sensing. While this has historically been a limiting factor in the design of netted radars, the rise of modern TFT techniques has paved the way to nanosecond level time accuracy, absolute phase synchronization, and sub-Hertz frequency accuracy. In particular, netted systems composed of mobile nodes have benefited immensely from TFT based on global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). However, GNSS systems are liable to denial of service interruption. This article demonstrates the use of a fiber-optic White Rabbit (WR) network in an operational multistatic radar - NeXtRAD, and directly compares the results to one-way multichannel GPS disciplined oscillators acting under common-view TFT.

Inflammatory Mechanism of Total Flavonoids of Chrysanthemum and Medicated Serum on Castrated Dry Eye Animal and Cell Models

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of total flavonoids of chrysanthemum and medicated serum on the expression of related proteins in the lacrimal tissue and dry-eye cell models of male rabbits with dry eye caused by castration. Methods(1) 150 male Japanese rabbits were randomly divided into five groups, with 30 rabbits in each group: normal control group (group A), sham group (group B), model group (group C), androgen control group (group D) and total flavonoids of chrysanthemum treatment group (group E). The androgen deficiency dry-eye model was established by bilateral castration in groups C, D and E. Normal saline was administered to groups A, B and C by gavage; androgen (testosterone propionate) was injected into muscle in group D; and group E was given total flavonoids of chrysanthemum by gavage. All white rabbits were tested the Schirmer I test (SIT) and tear break-up time (BUT). After euthanasia, tear gland tissue was harvested so that we could observe pathological changes in the expression of related inflammatory factors in the lacrimal gland tissue. The expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) was detected in the lacrimal gland tissue by immunohistochemistry. Reverse transcription PCR was used to quantitatively detect expression of TGF-β1 mRNA. (2) Male Wistar rat lacrimal epithelial cells were used to establish a model of eye stem cell apoptosis caused by androgen levels. The blank control group was set up without androgen culture, the control group with androgen culture, and the total flavonoids of chrysanthemum group without androgen. The MTT method was used to determine the optimal intervention dosage of drug-containing plasma. Western blot and QPCR were used to detect the expression of AR mRNA, NF-κB phosphorylated protein and TGF-β1 in lacrimal epithelial cells, and the androgen-like effect of total flavonoids of chrysanthemum was observed. Results(1) Immunohistochemistry showed that groups A, B, D and E had significantly lower expression of IL-1β and TNF-α than group C (P < 0.05); among these, group E had slightly higher expression than group D (P > 0.05). RT-PCR results showed that the relative expression of TGF-β1 mRNA in groups A, B, D and E was significantly higher than in group C (P < 0.05), and the relative expression of TGF-β1 mRNA in groups D and E was higher than that in groups A and B (P < 0.05). (2) Using the MTT method, the final concentration of interfering cells was calculated to be 13.2%. The expression of AR protein, NF-κB and TGF-β1 in the chrysanthemum flavonoid plasma intervention and testosterone propionate intervention groups was enhanced, and there were significant differences relative to the blank group (P < 0.01). The expression level of NF-κB in the total flavonoid containing plasma intervention group was lower than that in the testosterone propionate intervention group (P < 0.01). ConclusionsThe total flavonoids of chrysanthemum can inhibit IL-1β and TNF-α expression in the lacrimal gland tissue of castrated male rabbits with dry eye to increase synthesis of TGF-β1 mRNA and TGF-β1, thereby inhibiting the inflammatory response. The medicated plasma with total flavonoids of chrysanthemum promotes expression of AR mRNA, upregulating expression of NF-κB, further promoting upregulation of TGF-β1 protein expression in lacrimal epithelial cells, inhibiting inflammation by regulating related proteins, and ultimately alleviating the symptoms of dry eye.

A new beam synchronous processing architecture with a fixed frequency processing clock. Application to transient beam loading compensation in the CERN SPS machine

New projects being implemented or planned at CERN, such as the LHC Injectors Upgrade (LIU), the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) or the Future Circular Collider (FCC), motivate the change of several architectural paradigms in the Low Level RF systems (LLRF). In the upgraded Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) LLRF, the distribution of RF, the revolution frequency, settings and synchronization timings will rely on a deterministic link, the White Rabbit (WR), exploiting a distributed topology. The digital electronics (FPGA) will now use a fixed frequency clock extracted locally in each node from this data stream. The paper presents a new solution for algorithms that treat beam-induced perturbations as they must solve the challenge to tune their processing to the instantaneous revolution frequency, Beam Synchronous Processing (BSP). We use dynamic resampling of uniform sampled data as tuning element between a sweeping spectrum and the static processing implemented with fixed frequency clocks. The paper applies the novel Beam Synchronous Processing method to transient beam loading compensation. It presents a One Turn delay FeedBack (OTFB) for the SPS based on a cascade of two variable ratio resamplers.

P.445 Dose-response relationships of antipsychotic drugs for major depressive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis

New projects being implemented or planned at CERN, such as the LHC Injectors Upgrade (LIU), the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) or the Future Circular Collider (FCC), motivate the change of several architectural paradigms in the Low Level RF systems (LLRF). In the upgraded Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) LLRF, the distribution of RF, the revolution frequency, settings and synchronization timings will rely on a deterministic link, the White Rabbit (WR), exploiting a distributed topology. The digital electronics (FPGA) will now use a fixed frequency clock extracted locally in each node from this data stream. The paper presents a new solution for algorithms that treat beam-induced perturbations as they must solve the challenge to tune their processing to the instantaneous revolution frequency, Beam Synchronous Processing (BSP). We use dynamic resampling of uniform sampled data as tuning element between a sweeping spectrum and the static processing implemented with fixed frequency clocks. The paper applies the novel Beam Synchronous Processing method to transient beam loading compensation. It presents a One Turn delay FeedBack (OTFB) for the SPS based on a cascade of two variable ratio resamplers.

Protective effects of anionic nanoliposomes on hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis progression in a rabbit model

Abstract Background and purpose Anionic nanoliposomes can regulate lipid metabolism by interacting with plasma lipoproteins. Here, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of anionic nanoliposomes against hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in the rabbit fed a high-fat diet (HFD) recapitulating human hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. Methods To prepare anionic nanoliposome formulations [containing hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine (HSPC) and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphoglycerol (DSPG)] and [containing 1,2-Dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (DMPC) and 1,2-Dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (DMPG)], lipid film hydration method followed by extrusion. Physical properties of the prepared liposome formulations, including particle size (diameter, nm), polydispersity index (PDI), and surface charge, were determined using dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique. New Zealand white male rabbits (4–6 months old, weight 2±0.15 kg) were fed on a regimen chow diet containing 15% fat and 0.5% cholesterol for 8 weeks. To evaluate the protective effects of anionic nanoliposomes, treatment was primed at week 4 on animals equally divided into three groups, including rabbits receiving HSPC/DSPG formulation (DSPG group) and DMPG/DMPC formulation (DMPG group) at the dose of 100 mM/kg via intravenous administration for 4 weeks with a weekly interval, as well as control group receiving saline buffer at a same administration route. Results Anionic nanoliposomal formulations were found to significantly regulate plasma levels of lipid parameters in the rabbit model of atherosclerosis by reducing TC (by 58±9%; 95% CI: 46–70% [HSPC/DSPG] and 37 5%; 95% I: 31–44% [DMPG/DMPC]), LDL-C (by 64 6%: 95% CI: 56–72% [HSPC/DSPG] and 53±10%; 95% CI: 37–67% [DMPC/DMPG], TG (by 62±3%; 95% CI: 58–67% [HSPC/DSPG] and 58±2%; 95% CI: 55–61% [DMPC/DMPG], and elevating HDL-C (by 67±28%; 95% CI: 32–102% [HSPC/DSPG] and 35±19%; 95% CI: 11–60% [DMPC/DMPG]), when compared to the control group at the end of study. Lesion severity in treated rabbits was found to be significantly (p&amp;lt;0.05) lower compared to control rabbits, for which medians (interquartile range) of plaque grades in DSPG, DMPG and control groups were 1 [1–2.5], 2 [1.5–2.5], and 4 [3–4], respectively. Of note, the mean±SD of plaque size in DSPG (54±24 μm; 95% CI: 24–83 μm) and DMPG (92±24 μm; 95% CI: 62–121 μm) groups were shown to be significantly (p&amp;lt;0.05) smaller (−63±17% and 36±16%, respectively) than those in control group (144±28 μm, 95% CI: 109–179 μm). The mean±SD of IMT in DSPG (0.54±0.02 fold; 95% CI: 0.3–0.8 fold) and DMPG (0.96±0.1 fold; 95% CI: 0.8–1.1 fold) groups were shown to be significantly (p&amp;lt;0.05) smaller (−55±17% and −20±4%, respectively) than those in control group (1.2±0.2 fold; 95% CI: 0.9–1.4 fold) (Figure). Conclusion Aninonic nanoliposomes containing [HSPC/DSPG] and [DMPC/DMPG] could significantly protect against hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis plaque progression in rabbit model. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Toxicity of Povidone-iodine to the ocular surface of rabbits

BackgroundWe evaluated the toxicity of 5% (w/v) povidone-iodine (PI) applied to the ocular surface of rabbits.MethodsTwenty-three white rabbits were divided into four groups; these were a control group and three study groups in which the ocular surface was exposed to PI for different times. In control group, one drop of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was applied once for 10 min. In study groups, one drop of 5% (w/v) PI was topically applied once for 1 min, 3 min, and 10 min, and then the animals were observed for 7 days. The Schirmer test, Rose Bengal staining, corneal fluorescein staining and conjunctival impression cytology were performed on day 0, 3, and 7. After 7 days, the rabbits were sacrificed and conjunctiva and cornea were collected and evaluated by light and electron microscope. Immunofluorescence staining was also performed to detect mucin 5 subtype AC (MUC5AC).ResultsThe decrease in goblet cell density, reductions in MUC5AC level and histopathological and ultrastructural changes of conjunctiva and cornea were more prominent in the 5% (w/v) PI groups than the control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, these changes were more prominent when PI was applied for 3 and 10 min rather than 1 min (both p values < 0.05).Conclusions5% (w/v) povidone-iodine caused damages to the ocular surface in a time-dependent manner. Therefore, we should be aware of that excessive PI exposure during ophthalmic procedures could be a pathogenic factor of dry eye syndrome after surgery.

Effect of bone morphogenetic protein-2/hydroxyapatite on ankle fusion with bone defect in a rabbit model: a pilot study

BackgroundRevision ankle-fusion surgery after a failure of total ankle arthroplasty has a problem with bone-defect management by implant removal. For the reconstruction of bone defects, autogenous bone often causes minor and major complications. Recombinant human-bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) plays essential roles in bone regeneration strategies, and hydroxyapatite (HA) is beneficial as the rhBMP-2 carrier. In this study, we evaluate whether rhBMP-2/HA can replace autogenous bone in a rabbit ankle-fusion model with distal tibia bone defect.MethodsThe bone defect was created in the distal tibia. The ankle fusion was performed by a cannulated screw from lateral malleolus and various treatments on bone defect. Thirty male white New Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups of 10 animals on each group dependent on treatment methods as control group (no treatment into defect), auto-bone group (autogenous bone treatment), and rhBMP-2/HA group (40 μL of 1 μg/mL rhBMP-2/100 μL HA). Bone formation on defect and the union of the ankle joint were evaluated by X-ray, micro-CT, and histological analysis at 8 weeks and 12 weeks, postoperatively.ResultsRadiographic assessment found the control and auto-bone groups still had the bone defect present, but rhBMP-2/HA group showed complete replacement of the defect with newly formed bone at 12 weeks. Micro-CT showed significantly higher new bone formation within the defect in the rhBMP-2/HA group than in the auto-bone and control groups at 8 weeks (p > 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) and 12 weeks (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, respectively). Fusion rate (%) analysis of micro-CT showed a higher percentage of union in the rhBMP-2/HA group than in the auto bone and control groups at 8 weeks (p > 0.05, p < 0.001, respectively) and 12 weeks (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The histological showed the highest osteointegration between distal tibia and talus in the rhBMP-2/HA group at 12 weeks.ConclusionsThis study indicated that rhBMP-2/HA showed much better bone fusion than did the autogenous bone graft and was effective in promoting fusion rate and improving the quality of the ankle joint fusion.

A White Rabbit-Synchronized Accurate Time-Stamping Solution for the Small-Sized Cameras of the Cherenkov Telescope Array

This article presents the Zynq-embedded node for the Cherenkov telescope array (ZEN-CTA) node, a programmable system-on-chip (SoC) with White Rabbit (WR)-synchronization capability. It targets a solution for the uniform clock and trigger time-stamping module of the small-sized telescopes in the CTA. This module is tasked as a distributed acquisition device with a focus on obtaining time stamps for candidate Cherenkov events, which could be generated at potentially high rates from very-high-energy gamma rays and their subsequent distribution over Ethernet. In this context, the customized design of the ZEN-CTA node is examined thoroughly, including its generic implementation aspects and its main functional blocks. The design of the WR-assisted time-to-digital converters (TDCs) for time-stamping analog triggers is presented in detail alongside the implementation of an upgraded high-speed data path (1 Gb/s) for the WR-compatible Ethernet interfaces of the node. The new data path will feature a direct memory access engine for direct software transmissions and a hardware description language (HDL) coprocessor for high-speed forwarding. Next, the time-stamping accuracy of the WR-enhanced TDCs will be characterized alongside the forwarding efficiency of the new data path. Finally, conclusions are drawn, and the main contributions of this research are enumerated, a potential deployment within the CTA infrastructure to support the acquisition of Cherenkov light is considered, and additional use cases are mentioned.