Treatment with supplementary arginine, vitamin C and zinc in patients with pressure ulcers: a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Nutrients putatively implicated in pressure ulcer healing were evaluated in a clinical setting. METHODS: Sixteen inpatients with a stage 2, 3 or 4 pressure ulcer randomised to receive daily a standard hospital diet; a standard diet plus two high-protein/energy supplements; or a standard diet plus two high-protein/energy supplements containing additional arginine (9 g), vitamin C (500 mg) and zinc (30 mg). Nutritional status measurements (dietary, anthropometric and biochemical) and pressure ulcer size and severity (by PUSH tool; Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing; 0=completely healed, 17=greatest severity) were measured weekly for 3 weeks. RESULTS: Patients' age and BMI ranges were 37-92 years and 16.4-28.1 k g/m2) respectively. Baseline PUSH scores were similar between groups (8.7+/-0.5). Only patients receiving additional arginine, vitamin C and zinc demonstrated a clinically significant improvement in pressure ulcer healing (9.4+/-1.2 vs. 2.6+/-0.6; baseline and week 3, respectively; P<0.01). All patient groups presented with low serum albumin and zinc and elevated C-reactive protein. There were no significant changes in biochemical markers, oral dietary intake or weight in any group. CONCLUSIONS: In this small set of patients, supplementary arginine, vitamin C and zinc significantly improved the rate of pressure ulcer healing. The results need to be confirmed in a larger study.     

Cryptosporidium Spp. Infection in Human and Domestic Animals

Background

Cryptosporidium spp. is a coccidian parasite infected humans and animals. Prevalence rate of Cryptosporidium spp. infection associated with is some parameters such as sampling, age, season, country and contact to domestic animals. This study aimed to determine Cryptosporidium spp. Infection in humans and some animals in rural areas of Shushtar district from Khuzestan Province, south- west of Iran.

Methods

In this study, Stool specimens were randomly collected from 45 cattle, 8 buffalos, 35 calves, 22 turkeys, 3 sheep, 2 geese as well as 62 humans in different seasons selected from rural areas of Shushtar district located in Khuzestan in the south- west of Iran from August 2009 to April 2011. The collected stool samples were examined by modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining method.

Results

Altogether, 68/115 (59.1%) domestic animals and 9/62 (14.5%) of humans were showed Cryptosporidium spp. infection in the study areas.

Conclusion

In this study we found the high frequency of Cryptosporidium spp. infection in the studied areas.     

Randomized, Evaluator-Blind, Split-Face Comparison Study of Single Cross-linked versus Double Cross-linked Hyaluronic Acid in the Treatment of Glabellar Lines

BACKGROUND At present, various hyaluronic acids are being used to rejuvenate facial skin. There is no comparative study of single cross-linked hyaluronic acid (SCHA) versus double cross-linked hyaluronic acid (DCHA). The objective of our study is to compare the effectiveness and complications of SCHA versus DCHA in the treatment of glabellar lines.
METHODS Ten female patients were enrolled in this randomized, evaluator-blind study. One side (left vs. right) of each patient's glabellar lines was treated with SCHA and the other side was treated with DCHA. Two independent blinded observers reviewed the clinical photographs at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the treatment and assessed for degree of improvement as well as complications.
RESULTS The two products were equally effective in producing an optimal cosmetic result, although at 6, 9, and 12 months posttreatment, a higher proportion of patients showed over 50% improvement with DCHA than with SCHA. At 12 months posttreatment, DCHA was considered superior in 70% of patients, whereas SCHA was superior in 10% of patients.
CONCLUSIONS Both SCHA and DCHA are equally effective in producing an optimal cosmetic result. DCHA provides a more durable esthetic improvement when compared to SCHA in the treatment of glabellar lines.     

A monoclonal antibody to rat liver cytochrome P450 IIC11 strongly and regiospecifically inhibits constitutive benzo[a]pyrene metabolism and DNA binding

The monoclonal antibody MAb 1-68-11, prepared to constitutive cytochrome P450 IIC11 (2c/RLM5) from male Sprague-Dawley rat liver, was used to study the contribution of the class of cytochrome P450s epitopically related to P450 IIC11 to the regiospecific metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene (BP) and its binding to DNA. The effect of MAb 1-68-11 was determined on the conversion of BP to BP-9,10-dihydrodiol, BP-7,8-dihydrodiol, BP-4,5-dihydrodiol, BP phenols, and BP quinones, and on the P450-dependent DNA binding catalyzed by P450 in microsomes from uninduced male and female Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rat livers, as well as 3-methylcholanthrene- and phenobarbital (PB)-induced male Wistar rat livers. In liver microsomes from untreated male rats, MAb 1-68-11 inhibited BP-9,10-dihydrodiol formation by 80%; in liver microsomes from untreated female rats, the inhibition was 100%. BP-7,8-dihydrodiol formation was inhibited from 38 to 77% in microsomes from males and 50% in those from females. In microsomes from PB-induced rats, inhibition of the 9,10-dihydrodiol and the 7,8-dihydrodiol was 90% and 73%, respectively, whereas BP-4,5-dihydrodiol formation was enhanced 80%. In microsomes from 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats, no inhibition of MAb 1-68-11 was observed on either the metabolism of BP or its binding to DNA. In contrast, the binding of BP to DNA was completely inhibited by MAb 1-68-11 in microsomes from uninduced male Wistar rats and 70% in PB-induced microsomes. 32P-postlabeling analysis showed that formation of the major stable adduct, BP diol epoxide bound at C-10 to the 2-amino of deoxyguanosine, was strongly inhibited in uninduced and PB-induced microsomes. Formation of the major labile BP-DNA adduct 7-(benzo[a]pyren-6-yl) guanine (BP-N7Gua) was inhibited about 60% in microsomes from untreated male Wistar rats. These results show that MAb 1-68-11 regiospecifically inhibits cytochrome P450 IIC11 and epitopically related P450s that metabolize BP at the 7,8 and 9,10 positions. MAb 1-68-11 also inhibits enzyme-catalyzed binding of BP to DNA in the specific formation of BP-N7Gua and adducts detected by the 32P-postlabeling technique.     

ALLERGEN AVOIDANCE IN THE PRIMARY PREVENTION OF ATOPY

SUMMARY Atopy development cannot yet be predicted with certainty, and primary prophylaxis has to be directed at every ‘at-risk’ infant. However, substantial progress has been made in identifying environmental factors associated with allergic disorders. The process of sensitisation to common allergens may begin in utero. The influence of adjuvants, especially passive smoking, is considerable in individuals with established atopic disease. This article examines the role of intervention during pregnancy and the first year of life in the primary prevention of atopy and suggests a number of measures based on the current evidence.