Novel transparent collagen film patch derived from duck’s feet for tympanic membrane perforation

Abstract

To increase healing rate of tympanic membrane (TM) perforations, patching procedure has been commonly conducted. Biocompatible, biodegradable patching materials which is not limited across cultures is needed. The authors evaluated the effectiveness of novel transparent duck’s feet collagen film (DCF) patch in acute traumatic TM perforation. This procedure was compared with spontaneous healing and paper patching. Cell proliferation features were observed in paper and DCF patches. Forty-eight TMs of 24 rats were used for animal experiment, perforations were made on each TMs, and divided into three groups according to treatment modality. Sixteen were spontaneously healed, 16 were paper patched and 16 were DCF patched. The gross and histological healing results were analyzed. Both paper and DCF patch showed no cytotoxicity, but cell proliferations were more active in DCF than paper in early stage. In animal study, the healing of TM perforations were completed within 14 days in all three groups, but found to be faster in DCF patch group than paper patch or spontaneous healing group. The DCF patches were transparent and size of DCF patches were gradually decreased, so there were no need to remove the DCF patches to check the wound status or after the completion of healing. According to this result, authors concluded that DCF patch is transparent, biocompatible and biodegradable material, and can induce fast healing in acute traumatic TM perforations.     

Role of metabolism by intestinal microbiota in pharmacokinetics of oral baicalin

Baicalin (baicalein-7-glucuronide) is a flavonoid purified from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi that has traditionally been used for treatment of hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and viral hepatitis. In this study, the effects of intestinal microbiota on the pharmacokinetics of baicalin were investigated in normal and antibiotic-pretreated rats following p.o. administration of 100 mg/kg baicalin by using liquid chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry. When rats were pretreated orally with cefadroxil, oxytetracycline and erythromycin for 3 days to control the number of intestinal bacteria, the pharmacokinetic parameters of oral baicalin were significantly affected by antibiotics: C_max, T_1/2(β), K_el and AUC values were significantly changed compared to those in normal rats. These results indicate that intestinal microbiota might play a key role in the oral pharmacokinetics of baicalin.     

Metastatic Lymph Node Ratio of Central Neck Compartment Has Predictive Values for Locoregional Recurrence in Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the significance of metastatic lymph node ratio (the ratio between the metastatic lymph node and the harvested lymph nodes; MLNR) in the central neck for the prediction of locoregional recurrence in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.MethodsAfter reviewing medical records of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma patients who received total thyroidectomy with central neck node dissection, 573 consecutive adult patients were enrolled in this study, with a follow-up period of more than 36 months. Regarding the risk of recurrence, multivariate analyses were performed with the following variables; sex, age, multiplicity of the primary tumor, presence of pathological extrathyroidal extension, the level of postoperative stimulated serum thyroglobulin, the number of harvested lymph nodes, the number of lymph node metastasis and MLNR.ResultsThe MLNR showed a predictive significance for the locoregional recurrence (P<0.05). Most recurrences were occurred in the lateral neck (n=12, 80%) with a median interval of 20 months. The lowest cutoff value of the MLNR for a meaningful separation of disease recurrence was 0.44 (hazard ratio, 8.86; 95% confidence interval, 1.49 to 52.58; P=0.001).ConclusionWhen the MLNR is higher than 0.44, there is an increased risk of locoregional recurrence mostly in the lateral neck. Therefore, MLNR of the central neck in a permanent or frozen biopsy may be helpful in decision making in the extent of thyroidectomy and/or the need for contralateral central neck lymph nodes dissection.     

Perceived Stress and Self‐esteem Mediate the Effects of Work‐related Stress on Depression

The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of perceived stress and self‐esteem on work‐related stress and depression. Two hundred and eighty‐four Korean nurses participated in the study. The participants completed four questionnaires, including the Korean short version of the occupational stress scale, the perceived stress scale, the Rosenberg self‐esteem scale and the Beck depression inventory. Structural equation modelling was used to determine the relationships among work‐related stress, perceived stress, self‐esteem, and depression. Work‐related stress was positively associated with depression. Perceived stress was inversely related to self‐esteem and positively associated with work‐related stress and depression, respectively. Self‐esteem was negatively associated with work‐related stress and depression. Structural equation modelling revealed that self‐esteem and perceived stress fully mediate the relationship between work‐related stress and depression. Future studies should further investigate the effect of psychological characteristics on work‐related stress and symptoms of depression. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.