The effects of honey compared to silver sulfadiazine for the treatment of burns: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Evidence from animal studies and trials suggests that honey may accelerate wound healing. The objective of this review was to assess the effects of honey compared with silver dressings on the healing of burn wounds. Relevant databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of honey compared with silver sulfadiazine (SSD) were searched. The quality of the selected trials was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool. The primary endpoints considered were wound healing time and the number of infected wounds rendered sterile. Nine RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Based on moderate quality evidence there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups, favoring honey in healing time (MD ?5.76 days, 95% CI ?8.14 to ?3.39) and the proportions of infected wounds rendered sterile (RR 2.59; 95% CI 1.58–2.88). The available evidence suggests that honey dressings promote better wound healing than silver sulfadiazine for burns.     

Role of regional aortic wall properties in the pathogenesis of thoracic aortic dissection

Objectives. The mechanisms of the location and extension of acute aortic dissection (AD) are only poorly understood. The aim of this study was to compare the cohesion of the non-coronary aortic sinus (NAS) and the ascending aortic wall (AA) using the Dissectometer – a new device for analyses of the mechanical properties of the aorta. Design. The properties of the aortic wall were analyzed with the “Dissectometer” (parameters P7, P8 and P9) in adult patients undergoing aortic root (AR) replacement in two different segments: NAS and AA. The aortic wall thickness (AWT) was measured with a micrometer. Results. Thirty-three adult patients (mean age 65?±?14 years, 80% male) were included in this study. The aortic wall of the NAS was significantly thinner than that of the AA (1.9?±?0.4 vs. 2.3?±?0.4, p?Conclusions. This study shows that the wall of the AR is characterized by a thin but stable wall, whereas AA was found to be weaker despite its greater thickness. This difference might be involved in the development and spreading of aortic dissections.     

Unplanned return to operating room after lower extremity endovascular intervention is an independent predictor for hospital readmission

Objective

Hospital readmissions after surgical operations are preventable and are now counted as a quality metric. Patients with peripheral arterial disease often have several serious medical comorbidities. With advancements in endovascular technology and increasing comfort level of vascular surgeons, more and more patients with peripheral arterial disease are being treated with endovascular therapy. Most of these interventions are done as same-day operations. This study retrospectively reviewed the factors associated with hospital readmission after lower extremity endovascular interventions.

Standardization and Wound-Healing Activity of Petroleum,Ethanolic and Aqueous Extracts of Ficus Benghalensis Leaves

Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal - Wound healing is the repair process of injury on the skin and other soft tissues. After injury, an inflammatory response occurs and tissue cells below the dermis...     

Prognostic impact of CD200 and CD56 expression in pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients

This study aimed to determine the prognostic impact of CD200 and CD56 expression in pediatric B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) patients, both of which have been implicated in immune tolerance and previously suggested as independent risk factors. CD200 has a central role in immune tolerance that protects stem cells and other critical tissues from immune damage. The expression of CD200/CD56 in leukemic blasts were assessed in leukemic blasts before chemotherapy in 43 bone marrow (BM) and/or peripheral blood (PB) samples by flow cytometry. Twenty eight of 43 B-ALL cases (65%) showed CD200 positive expression, 5 of 43 cases (11.6%) showed CD56 expression, and only 2 patients (4.7%) expressed both CD200 and CD56. Patients with CD200⁺ and CD56⁺ were significantly associated with lower platelet count; less tendency for induction of remission response as compared to negative ones (p = .01 for both). The overall survival (OS) and DFS were significantly shorter in CD200⁺ and CD56⁺ cases as compared to those with CD200^? and CD56^? expression. In conclusion, CD200 and/or CD56 positive expression in B-ALL at diagnosis suggest a poor prognosis and may be associated with biological aggressiveness.