In vitro transfer of keratinocytes: comparison of transfer from fibrin membrane and delivery by aerosol spray

There are a variety of approaches for the delivery of autologous keratinocytes to restore epithelial coverage of burns wounds that include utilizing cultured keratinocyte sheets, transfer of cultured keratinocytes using a membrane and more recently aerosol spraying of a keratinocyte suspension. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of direct aerosol delivery of a keratinocyte suspension with a fibrin transfer system to an in vitro wound model consisting of organotypical deepidermalized dermis (DED). A comparison was made between the number of keratinocytes delivered to DED with time, either by transfer from a fibrin membrane or using an aerosol. Additionally, the effect of application time of fibrin membranes to DED, on the number of keratinocytes delivered was investigated and compared with keratinocytes delivered by aerosol at the same time points. After 2 days culture little transfer of keratinocytes had occurred from the fibrin membrane to the DED, whereas 20% more cells were present on the DED than were initially delivered by aerosol spraying. After 7 days, aerosol-delivered cells were found to express cytokeratin K6, indicating a proliferative phenotype. The results from this study show that preconfluent keratinocytes can be delivered by aerosol, and thus may well find application clinically.     

Comparison of glucosamine sulfate and a polyherbal supplement for the relief of osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled trial [ISRCTN25438351]

Background  

The efficacy and safety of a dietary supplement derived from South American botanicals was compared to glucosamine sulfate in osteoarthritis subjects in a Mumbai-based multi-center, randomized, double-blind study.     

Antibiotic use in acute pancreatitis: An Indian multicenter observational study

Introduction

Prophylactic antibiotics are used frequently for acute pancreatitis (AP). Consensus guidelines do not recommend this currently, based on moderate quality evidence. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the antibiotic use pattern in AP in India and propose a risk-directed approach to antibiotic use in AP.

Material and Methods

This multicenter study was conducted from 1 May 2013 to 31 July 2013. Eleven participants from eight tertiary centers completed a questionnaire that captured patient demographics, etiology, admission status, presence of (peri)pancreatic necrosis, severity of pancreatitis, details of antibiotic use, and clinical outcomes (total hospital stay, persistent organ failure, need for ICU, total days in ICU, development of infections, in-hospital mortality).

Results

A total of 200 proformas were analyzed. Seventy-three (36.5 %) had acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP). Eighty-nine (44.5 %), 52 (26 %), and 55 (27.5 %) patients had mild AP (MAP), moderately severe AP (MSAP), and severe AP (SAP), respectively. Forty-five (22.5 %) patients developed infections (unifocal 29; multifocal 16). One hundred thirty-four (67 %) patients received antibiotics, of which 89 (66.4 %) received prophylactic, while 45 (33.6 %) received therapeutic antibiotics. The distribution of antibiotic use according to the severity of AP was 43 (48.3 %) in patients with MAP (prophylactic in 41; therapeutic in 2), 36 (69.2 %) in patients with MSAP (prophylactic in 29; therapeutic in 7), and 55 (100 %) in patients with SAP (prophylactic in 19; therapeutic in 36). Therapeutic antibiotics were prescribed based on culture and sensitivity in 21 (46.7 %) patients.

Conclusions

Despite nonrecommendation, prophylactic antibiotics are used frequently in AP. We emphasize on the need for multicenter randomized controlled trials on prophylactic antibiotics for AP based on a risk-directed approach, rather than a “blanket approach.”     

Multifunctional Cu2SnS3 Nanoparticles with Enhanced Photocatalytic Dye Degradation and Antibacterial Activity

We present a simplistic, ultrafast, and facile hydrothermal deposition of ternary Cu₂SnS₃ nanoparticles (CTS NPs). The fabricated CTS NPs show superior antimicrobial and photocatalytic activities. In the presence of UV-Visible illumination, methylene blue (MB) dye was studied for photocatalytic dye degradation activity of CTS NPs. Excellent efficiency is shown by incorporating CTS NPs to degrade MB dye. There is a ~95% decrease in the absorbance peak of the dye solution within 120 min. Similarly, CTS NPs tested against three bacterial strains, i.e., B. subtilis, S. aureus, P. vulgaris, and one fungal strain C. albicans, defining the lowest inhibitory concentration and zone of inhibition, revealed greater antimicrobial activity. Hence, it is concluded that the CTS NPs are photocatalytically and antimicrobially active and have potential in biomedicine.