A randomized,controlled trial of negative pressure wound therapy of pressure ulcers via a novel polyurethane foam

The objectives of the study were (1) to look for any local, clinically apparent response, within and around a debrided wound, to a novel biocompatible polyurethane foam during repeated, short‐term implantation, and (2) to assess the material's efficacy as a negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) interface compared with a widely used, commercially available foam. Twenty pressure ulcers in 18 patients underwent surgical debridement, then randomization to receive novel treatment or control foam as the wound interface for NPWT. Dressing changes every 2–3 days allowed qualitative wound assessment and quantitative measurement to compare outcomes. No adverse reaction was observed in any patient receiving the new foam. The new “novel foam” performed as a NPWT interface as effectively as the control “standard foam.” In deep wounds, the new foam was easier to remove, fragmented less, and showed less retention than the control foam. No marginal in‐growth occurred, making removal less traumatic and reducing bleeding from cavity wall granulations. The results support previous large animal studies, and independent ISO10993 testing, that the new foam is safe and biocompatible. Its efficacy as an NPWT interface, nontraumatic removal with low fragmentation and retention rate, favors the new material, especially in deep cavity wounds.     

CHRFAM7A reduces monocyte/macrophage migration and colony formation in vitro

Inflammation Research - CHRFAM7A is a unique human gene that encodes a dominant negative inhibitor of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. We have recently shown that CHRFAM7A is expressed...     

Detection and Identification of Toxoplasma gondii Type One Infection in Sheep Aborted Fetuses in Qazvin Province of Iran

Background

The aim of this study was to apply the nested-PCR and bioassay methods in detection and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii infection in provided sheep aborted fetus samples from Qazvin Province of Iran.

Methods

Eighteen sheep aborted fetal samples were studied by nested-PCR-RFLP, histopathological observation and microbiological assay. Bioassay in mice was carried out by inoculating the brain samples intraperitoneally.

Results

The results demonstrated the frequency of 66% infected sheep aborted fetal samples with T. gondii type one. Although we could not isolate any parasite from inoculated mice even after three passages, but it was confirmed histopathologically formation of cyst like bodies in prepared mice brain sections.

Conclusion

The results of the performed nested-PCR and formation of brain cyst in inoculated mice exhibited that T. gondii type one infection might be considered as one of the major causative agents for abortion in ewes.     

Aging-related changes of optic nerve of Wistar albino rats

Aging is a biological phenomenon that involves an increase of oxidative stress associated with gradual degradation of the structure and function of the optic nerve. Gender differences and subsequent deterioration of optic nerve are an interesting topic, especially because there is little published work concerning it. One hundred male and female Wistar albino rats'' with ages 1, 6, 18, 24, and 30 months (n = 20 equal for male and female) were used. At the time interval, optic nerve was investigated by light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), assessments of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismustase, and glutathione-S-transferase), caspase 3 and 7, malondialdhyde, flow cytometry of DNA, annexin v, and CD8, immunochemistry of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), CD31, and CD45, and single-strand DNA fragmentation. Light and TEM observations of the older specimens (24 and 30 months) revealed apparent deterioration of optic nerve axons, abundant oligodendrocytes with pyknotic nuclei, swollen astrocytes, angiogenesis, vacuolar degeneration, and mitochondrial damage. Females were highly susceptible to aging processes. Concomitantly, there was a marked reduction of antioxidant''s enzymes and an increase of lipid peroxidation and apoptotic markers. Old age exhibited a marked increase of G1 apoptosis, UR and LR of annexin V and CD8 as well as increased immuno-positive reaction with VEGR, CD31 and CD45. We conclude that aging contributed to an increase of oxidative stress resulting from damage of mitochondria in axons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes. Age-related loss of optic nerve axons is associated with multifactorial agents including reduction in antioxidant enzymes, disruption of vasculature, astrocyte, and oligodendrocyte, demyelination, and damage of mitochondria, which enhance the liberation of reactive oxygen species as assessed by an increase of apoptotic markers malondialdhyde and caspase 3 and 7.     

Hyposalivation in a 16‐year‐old girl: a case of salivary gland aplasia

Salivary gland aplasia is a rare condition with only a small number of cases reported worldwide. It is more commonly seen in males and can occur either in isolation or association with other defects or syndromes. It may or may not occur with a hereditary background. Scant literature exists detailing the status of sublingual salivary glands in patients with any form of major salivary gland aplasia. This case report describes the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging presentation of a 16‐year‐old girl with major salivary gland aplasia detailing the status of all six major salivary glands.     

Coronary artery disease in congenital single coronary artery in adults:A Dutch case series

AIM:To assess the current diagnostic and therapeutic management and the clinical implications of congenital single coronary artery(SCA) in adults.METHODS:We identified 15 patients with a SCA detected from four Dutch angiography centers in the period between 2010 and 2013.Symptomatic patients who underwent routine diagnostic coronary angiography(CAG) for suspected coronary artery disease and who incidentally were found to have isolated SCA were analyzed.RESULTS:Fifteen(7 females) with a mean age of 58.5 ± 13.78 years(range 43-86) had a SCA.ConventionalCAG demonstrated congenital isolated SCA originating as a single ostium from the right sinus of Valsalva in 6 patients and originating from the left in 9 patients.Minimal to moderate coronary atherosclerotic changes were found in 4,and severe stenotic lesions in another 4 patients.Seven patients were free of coronary atherosclerosis.Runs of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia were documented in 2 patients,one of whom demonstrated transmural ischemic changes on presentation.Myocardial perfusion scintigraphic evidence of transmural myocardial ischemia was found in 1 patient due to kinking and squeezing of the SCA with an interarterial course between the aorta and pulmonary artery.Multi-slice computed tomography(MSCT) was helpful to delineate the course of the anomalous artery relative to the aorta and pulmonary artery.Percutaneous coronary intervention was successfully performed in 3 patients.Eight patients were managed medically.Arterial bypass graft was performed in 4 patients with the squeezed SCA.CONCLUSION:SCA may be associated with transient transmural myocardial ischemia and aborted sudden death in the absence of coronary atherosclerosis.The availability and sophistication of MSCT facilitates the delineation of the course of a SCA.We present a Dutch case series and review of the literature.