Celosia argentea Linn. leaf extract improves wound healing in a rat burn wound model

Celosia argentea (CA) is used in traditional medicine for sores, ulcers, and skin eruptions. The present study was aimed at investigating the healing efficacy of CA extract in an ointment formulated (10 % w/w) as an alcohol extract of CA using a rat burn wound model. Wound closure occurred earlier in the treated rats (15 days vs. 30 in the untreated group; p < 0.05). Granulation tissue collected on every fifth day of healing showed an increase in collagen and hexosamine content at a faster rate in the treated wounds. This correlated with the accelerated wound closure observed in the treated groups. To probe the cellular basis of this effect, we investigated the effect of this extract on two major cellular responses; cell proliferation and cell motility, in two key cell lineages, fibroblasts and keratinocytes. CA was not toxic at concentrations of < 3 microg/ml in fibroblasts and < 30 microg/ml in keratinocytes. The alcohol extract promoted cell motility and proliferation of primary dermal fibroblasts at 0.1-1.0 microg/ml but did not alter these responses in primary keratinocytes. In an initial examination of molecular mechanisms, we found that the CA extract did not alter fibroblast and keratinocyte responses to the wound repair-associated epidermal growth factor receptor ligands. In short, we demonstrate a salutary action of the CA extract on wound healing, and suggest that this may be due to mitogenic and motogenic promotion of dermal fibroblasts.     

The Fifth German Oral Health Study (Fünfte Deutsche Mundgesundheitsstudie,DMS V) – rationale,design, and methods

Background

Oral diseases rank among the most prevalent non-communicable diseases in modern societies. In Germany, oral epidemiological data show that both dental caries and periodontal diseases are highly prevalent, though significant improvements in oral health has been taking in the population within the last decades, particularly in children. It is, therefore, the aim of the Fifth German Oral Health Study (DMS V) to actualize the data on current oral health status and to gather information on oral health behavior and risk factors. In addition to current oral health monitoring, the study will also permit conclusions about trends in the development of oral health in Germany between 1989 and 2014.

Methods/Design

DMS V is a cross-sectional, multi-center, nationwide representative, socio-epidemiological study to investigate the oral health status und behavior of the German resident population in four age cohorts. Study participants are children (12-year-olds), adults (35- to 44-year-olds), young olds (65- to 74-year-olds), and old olds (75- to 100-year-olds) who are drawn from local residents’ registration offices. Social-science investigation parameters concern subjective perceptions and attitudes regarding oral health and nutrition, sense of coherence, and socio-demographic data. Clinical oral parameters are tooth loss, caries and periodontitis, prosthodontic status, further developmental and acquired dental hard tissue and mucosal lesions. To ensure reproducibility, the dental investigators are trained and calibrated by experts and multiple reliability checks are performed throughout the field phase. Statistical analyses are calculated according to a detailed statistical analysis plan.

Discussion

The DMS studies first performed in 1989, 1992 and repeated in 1997 and 2005 are the only cross-sectional oral health studies conducted in Germany on a population-based national representative level. Updated prevalence and trend analyses of key oral diseases are, therefore, of major epidemiological and health services research interest.

Trial registration

German Health Services Research Data Bank VfD_DMSV_13_002152

     

Adverse events in health care: a literature review

Aim  This paper aims to develop understanding of the nature, costs and strategies to reduce or prevent a range of adverse events experienced by people within the healthcare system.
Background  Care interventions are not always based on safe practice and adverse events can and do occur that cause or place at risk patients lives and well-being. The nature of adverse events is diverse and can be attributed to a multitude of individual and system contributory factors and causes.
Evaluation  A review of the literature was undertaken in 2006 and 2007 using the following databases: Pubmed, CINAHL, Biomed Ovid, Synergy and the British Nursing Index. This paper evaluates the literature that pertains to adverse events and seeks understanding of this complex issue.
Key issues  Published statistics confirm that globally, professional errors in clinical practice and care delivery occur at an unacceptably high level and result in considerable human and financial consequences.
Conclusion  Reaching understanding of the multiple factors that contribute to unsafe clinical practice situations requires a cultural shift in organizations.
Implication for Nursing Management  Reasons for adverse events are complex and require healthcare managers to evaluate the system issues which impact on the delivery and organization of care.