STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of delayed hypothermia on spinal cord injuries in rats. In addition, the effect of methylprednisolone on therapeutic window of hypothermia was evaluated. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Several studies have demonstrated that early hypothermia is the most effective neuroprotective modality. However, delayed hypothermia seems to be more practical for patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries. A combination of hypothermia and other neuroprotective methods, such as using methylprednisolone, may help extend the therapeutic window of hypothermia. METHODS: One hundred and twenty male rats were categorized into six groups. The rats in five groups were subjected to spinal cord injury using the weight drop method, followed by treatment, consisting of early hypothermia, late hypothermia, late hypothermia plus methylprednisolone, or methylprednisolone only. Biochemical tests including catalase, malondialdehyde, and superoxide level were evaluated in the injured spinal cord. Behavioral functions of the hind limb were evaluated by Basso-Battle-Bresnaham locomotor rating scale and tail-flick tests. RESULTS: Functional and biochemical evaluation showed both early and late hypothermia had significant neuroprotective effects. The treated groups did not differ significantly from one another in the behavioral tests. Hypothermia had better biochemical results compared to methylprednisolone. Also, methylprednisolone was shown to extend the therapeutic window of delayed hypothermia. CONCLUSIONS: Hypothermia showed a significant neuroprotective effect, which can be improved with further studies optimizing the duration of hypothermia and the rewarming period. Moreover, the therapeutic effect of the delayed hypothermia can be extended by methylprednisolone.
Animals ; Catalase ; Extremities ; Humans ; Hypothermia* ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; Methylprednisolone* ; Neuroprotective Agents* ; Rats* ; Retrospective Studies ; Rewarming ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Injuries* ; Superoxides

The palmaris longus is harvested as a tendon graft in various surgical procedures. Several tests are used to assess the presence of palmaris longus tendon. In the present study, we attempted to assess the interobserver and intraobserver reliability of five of the most famous methods and also the examination of fifth superficial flexor function. Two observers, who had been trained on the tests and had practiced them, examined 105 volunteers on two separate occasions and in 1-month interval the results were recorded. The reliability of each method was assessed with Kappa measurement. Kappa ranged from 0.541 (moderate reliability) to 0.813 (almost complete agreement) for palmaris. The highest interobserver and intraobserver reliability and also the best agreement with other tests were of Schaeffer. The lowest kappa was for Thompson and the others have good to excellent reliability. Kappa for interobserver and intraobserver reliability for the fifth flexor were 0.415 and 0.500 (moderate reliability), respectively. The tests that were assessed have good reliability except for Thompson that has a moderate one. It seems that the standard test (Schaeffer) is the best method for the assessment of the absence or presence of palmaris longus. The method used for the evaluation of fifth superficial flexor variations assessment has a moderate interobserver and intraobserver reliability.
Methods* ; Physical Examination ; Tendons ; Transplants ; Volunteers