Therapeutic effect of bovine albumin in the experimental fat embolism syndrome

The toxic effects of the free fatty acids (FFA) are responsible for the initiation and the clinical manifestations of the fat embolism syndrome (FES). Serum albumin binds to the FFA and by producing atoxic compounds it has a therapeutic effect on the syndrome. In this study we applied bovine albumin to 48 Sprague-Dawley rats which were previously submitted to intravenous infusions of FFA solutions (oleic, palmitic, stearic). The histopathologic lesions observed in their lungs were compared to those of 50 control animals suffering from the FES. The administration of 0.5% bovine albumin solution intravenously and 0.2% intraperitoneally, especially when it was synchronous to the FFA infusion and not metachronous, resulted in substantial and statistically significant therapeutic effects.     

Circulating angiogenic biomolecules at rest and in response to upper-limb exercise in individuals with spinal cord injury

Objective

Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) show structural and functional vascular maladaptations and muscle loss in their lower limbs. Angiogenic biomolecules play important roles in physiological and pathological angiogenesis, and are implicated in the maintenance of muscle mass. This study examined the responses of angiogenic molecules during upper-limb aerobic exercise in patients with SCI and in able-bodied (AB) individuals.

Methods

Eight SCI patients with thoracic lesions (T₆–T₁₂, ASIA A) and eight AB individuals performed an arm-cranking exercise for 30 minutes at 60% of their VO_2max. Plasma concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A₁₆₅), VEGF receptor 1 (sVEGFr-1), VEGF receptor 2 (sVEGFr-2), metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), and endostatin were measured at rest, after exercise, and at 1.5 and 3.0 hours during recovery.

Results

The two-way analysis of variance showed non-significant main effects of “group” and significant main effects of “time/exercise” for all angiogenic biomolecules examined (P < 0.01–0.001). The arm-cranking exercise significantly increased plasma concentrations of VEGF, sVEGFr-1, sVEGFr-2, MMP-2, and endostatin in both groups (P < 0.001–0.01). The magnitude of the increase was similar in both patients with SCI and AB individuals, as shown by the non-significant group × time interaction for all angiogenic parameters.

Conclusions

Upper-limb exercise (arm-cranking for 30 minutes at 60% of VO_2max) is a sufficient stimulus to trigger a coordinated circulating angiogenic response in patients with SCI. The response of angiogenic molecules to upper-limb aerobic exercise in SCI appears relatively similar to that observed in AB individuals.     

Infant Skin Microstructure Assessed In Vivo Differs from Adult Skin in Organization and at the Cellular Level

Abstract: Functional differences between infant and adult skin may be attributed to putative differences in skin microstructure. The purpose of this study was to examine infant skin microstructure in vivo and to compare it with that of adult skin. The lower thigh area of 20 healthy mothers (ages 25–43) and their biological children (ages 3–24 months) was examined using in vivo noninvasive methods including fluorescence spectroscopy, video microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Stratum corneum and supra‐papillary epidermal thickness as well as cell size in the granular layer were assessed from the confocal images. Adhesive tapes were used to remove corneocytes from the outer‐most layer of stratum corneum and their size was computed using image analysis. Surface features showed differences in glyph density and surface area. Infant stratum corneum was found to be 30% and infant epidermis 20% thinner than in adults. Infant corneocytes were found to be 20% and granular cells 10% smaller than adult corneocytes indicating a more rapid cell turnover in infants. This observation was confirmed by fluorescence spectroscopy. Dermal papillae density and size distribution also differed. Surprisingly, a distinct direct structural relationship between the stratum corneum morphology and the dermal papillae was observed exclusively in infant skin. A change in reflected signal intensity at ～100 μm indicating the transition between papillary and reticular dermis was evident only in adult skin. We demonstrate in vivo qualitative and quantitative differences in morphology between infant and adult skin. These differences in skin microstructure may help explain some of the reported functional differences.     

Photomechanical delivery of 100-nm microspheres through the stratum corneum: implications for transdermal drug delivery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Photomechanical waves (PWs) render the stratum corneum permeable and allow molecules to diffuse into the epidermis. The aim of this study was to investigate the probe size that could be delivered through the stratum corneum and into the epidermis. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single PW was applied onto the rat skin in vivo. Aqueous suspensions of fluorescent microspheres, 100 nm in diameter, were used as probes for transdermal delivery. The presence of the microspheres in the epidermis was measured by a fiber-based spectrofluorimeter after the stratum corneum was removed by tape-stripping (TS). RESULTS: Exposure of the rat skin to a PW permeabilized the stratum corneum and allowed the fluorescent microspheres to diffuse into the epidermis. CONCLUSIONS: The experiments show that PWs can facilitate the delivery of very large molecules and probes into the epidermis.     

Non-invasive method for quantitative evaluation of exogenous compound deposition on skin

Topical application of active compounds on skin is common to both pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Quantification of the concentration of a compound deposited on the skin is important in determining the optimum formulation to deliver the pharmaceutical or cosmetic benefit. The most commonly used techniques to date are either invasive or not easily reproducible. In this study, we have developed a noninvasive alternative to these techniques based on spectrofluorimetry. A mathematical model based on diffusion approximation theory is utilized to correct fluorescence measurements for the attenuation caused by endogenous skin chromophore absorption. The limitation is that the compound of interest has to be either fluorescent itself or fluorescently labeled. We used the method to detect topically applied salicylic acid. Based on the mathematical model a calibration curve was constructed that is independent of endogenous chromophore concentration. We utilized the method to localize salicylic acid in epidermis and to follow its dynamics over a period of 3 d.     

Multiple cutaneous acral metastases in a woman with breast adenocarcinoma treated with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin: incidental or aetiological association?

This paper reports the case of a 45-year-old female with histologically documented, multiple cutaneous metastases in the palmar and plantar surface of the fingers and toes originating from a breast adenocarcinoma after treatment with a docetaxel and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin regimen. The rarity of such a metastatic pattern from breast cancer and the eventual association with the chemotherapy administered are thoroughly discussed.     

Unusual Metastatic Spread of Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma: Report of a Case

Concurrent skull and liver metastases from follicular thyroid carcinoma is a very rare event. We herein present the case of a 72-year-old woman who initially presented with a swelling in the right supraorbital region that proved to be metastasis from a well-differentiated follicular thyroid carcinoma of clear-cell type. The metastatic workup disclosed a huge liver metastasis and an additional metastasis in the left iliac fossa. The treatment of this patient included a total thyroidectomy, an excision of the skull lesion, and the administration of radioiodine therapy, as well as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) suppression therapy. However, the course of her disease was relentless. Although well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma tends to show an excellent course, the presence of metastatic disease leads to a very dismal prognosis.An erratum to this article can be found at     

Recovery during high-intensity intermittent anaerobic exercise in boys, teens, and men

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of age on recovery of peak torque of knee extensors (PTEX) and flexors (PTFL), and total work (TW) during high-intensity intermittent 30-s (HI30) and 60-s (HI60) exercise in boys (N=19; age, 11.4+/-0.5 yr), teens (N=17; age, 14.7+/-0.4 yr), and men (N=18; age, 24.1+/-2.0 yr). METHODS: Each age group's subjects were subdivided to participate in an HI30 or an HI60 protocol. The HI30 involved 4x18 maximal knee extensions and flexions (1-min rest between sets), and the HI60 comprised of 2x34 reps (2-min rest). PTEX (N.m.kg), PTFL (N.m.kg), and TW (J.kg) were recorded at each set. The percent recovery of PTEX, PTFL, and TW was calculated as percent of the value achieved in the first set. RESULTS: In HI60, the percent recovery for PTEX, PTFL, and TW after the first set was higher in boys compared with teens and men (P<0.01). In HI30, the percent recovery for PTEX, PTFL, and TW was higher in boys compared with men in all sets (P<0.01), and in teens compared with men in the last two sets (P<0.05). The percent recovery of PTFL and TW was higher in boys compared with teens in the last two sets (P<0.05). Lactate increase was most pronounced in men, less pronounced in teens, and least pronounced in boys (P<0.01). Heart rate recovered faster in boys compared with teens and men in both protocols (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The recovery was faster in boys than in teens and men during HI30 and HI60, as evident by the greater percent recovery in boys for a given time. Furthermore, it appears that the rate of recovery during HI30 and HI60 anaerobic exercise is maturity dependent.