A role for decorin in cutaneous wound healing and angiogenesis

Decorin is known to influence tissue tensile strength and cellular phenotype. Therefore, decorin is likely to have an impact on tissue repair, including cutaneous wound healing. In this study, cutaneous healing of both excisional and incisional full‐thickness dermal wounds was studied in decorin‐deficient (Dcn^?/?) animals. A statistically significant delay in excisional wound healing in the Dcn^?/? mice occurred at 4 and 10 days postwounding and, in incisional wounds at 4, 10, and 18 days when compared with wild‐type (Dcn^?/?) controls. Fibrovascular invasion into polyvinylalcohol sponges was significantly increased by day 18 in Dcn^?/? mice relative to Dcn^+/+ mice. The 18‐day sponge implants in the Dcn^?/? mice showed a marked accumulation of biglycan when compared with the corresponding implants in Dcn^+/+ mice. Thus, regulated production of decorin may serve as an excellent therapeutic approach for modifying impaired wound healing and harmful foreign body reactions.     

Blutzuckerbestimmung bei Ekzem,Psoriasis, Lichen Vidal und Ulcus cruris

Zusammenfassung Bei Ekzem, Psoriasis, Lichen Vidal und Ulcus cruris konnte pathologische Erhöhung des Blutzuckerspiegels im allgemeinen nicht festgestellt werden, wenn eine Glykosurie nicht vorhanden war. Beim Lichen Vidal sind die Blutzuckerwerte zwar im Bereiche normaler Grenzen, aber in einer erheblichen Anzahl niedriger als bei den anderen Untersuchten.     

Sleep length and quality,sleepiness and urinary melatonin among healthy Danish nurses with shift work during work and leisure time

Background  

Sleep problems are common effects of shift work. The aim of the present study was to evaluate how different types of shift affect sleep and sleepiness, and to relate sleepiness to urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin.     

Effects of a very-low-calorie diet and physical-training regimens on body composition and resting metabolic rate in obese females

Sixty-nine obese females received 90 d of a liquid diet providing 2184 kJ/d in clinical trials. Groups were diet only (C), diet plus endurance exercise (EE), diet plus weight training (WT), or diet plus endurance exercise and weight training (EEWT). Changes in body weight, percent fat, fat weight, and fat-free mass were not different between groups. Declines in resting metabolic rate (RMR) were approximately 7% to approximately 12% of baseline values with no differences among groups. A significant increase in work capacity (approximately 16%) was shown for EEWT. Strength index showed declines of approximately 6% for C and EE and gains of approximately 3% and approximately 10% for EEWT and WT, respectively. These clinical trials did not show advantages of any exercise regimen over diet alone for weight loss, body-composition changes, or declines in RMR. Improvements in work capacity were limited and strength improved in groups that participated in strength training.     

Effect of the calcium entry blocker verapamil on renal ischemia

The ability of the calcium entry blocker verapamil to ameliorate the effects of renal ischemia was studied in ten sheep. Postanesthesia, bilateral cutaneous ureterostomies were placed in each sheep to facilitate urine collection and analysis. Both kidneys were made ischemic for one hour by occluding each renal artery. However, immediately before occlusion of the right renal artery, 0.05 mg/kg of verapamil was injected into the artery. Comparison of urinary creatinine excretion and urine volume for 72 h after reversal of ischemia demonstrated that those kidneys pretreated with verapamil had greater functional preservation (p less than .05). In this study, verapamil appeared to provide protection against renal damage after an ischemic insult.     

Comparison of three immunoassays for diagnosing sensitization to latex in children with spina bifida

As natural rubber latex (latex) has become more widespread in our environment, physicians have become increasingly aware of the problem of possible allergic reactions. Many fatal and near-fatal incidents have been reported (mainly during surgery) (1—3) and data has been published on groups frequently exposed to latex, such as patients with spina bifida (4—9), healthcare professionals (10—12) and occupationally exposed persons (13). The incidence of latex allergy in children seems to be increasing (14). Tests are therefore needed which can reliably detect sensitization to latex. Our aim was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of three commercial immunoassays for measuring specific IgE in serum to latex.     

Diagnostic testing for inhalant allergies.

Allergic rhinitis is one of the most commonly treated disorders seen in otolaryngology office settings. It is often difficult to distinguish the symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis from other causes of rhinitis. Many times these nasal symptoms can be effectively treated using nonspecific pharmacotherapeutic agents in conjunction with general information on ways to reduce exposure to allergens or irritants in the environment. When allergic rhinitis is suspected and a targeted treatment approach is needed, allergy testing can confirm the diagnosis and guide effective treatment for the condition. This paper discusses various methods for diagnosing inhalant allergies with a special focus on a newer approach to skin testing, known as modified quantitative testing or MQT. This paper also presents an overview of the immune response as it occurs in allergic rhinitis, along with a discussion of common inhalant allergens. Finally, this paper offers a general approach to allergy testing and patient preparation.     

Physical symptoms/side effects during breast cancer treatment predict posttreatment distress

Background: Studies suggest that the period following completion of treatment can be distressing for cancer patients. One potentially important predictor of distress is physical symptoms/side effects during treatment.Purpose: A longitudinal, observational design was used to examine whether the number of physical symptoms/side effects experienced during treatment was a correlate of cancer-related distress and general distress 4 months after treatment completion, as measured by the Impact of Events Scale and the Mental Health subscale of the Short Form-36, respectively.Methods: Participants were 151 women who had completed chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy for ductal carcinoma in situ or stage 1 or 2 breast cancer. Hierarchical multiple regression was conducted with relevant sociodemographic, clinical, and psychiatric variables entered as controls.Results: Greater physical symptoms/side effects predicted greater total cancer-related distress, intrusive thoughts, and general distress. Physical symptoms/side effects did not significantly predict avoidance. Follow-up analyses indicated that the relationship between physical symptoms/side effects and general distress was mediated by both total cancer-related distress and intrusive thoughts.Conclusions: These results suggest that patients who experience greater physical symptoms/side effects during treatment are at greater risk for later cancer-related distress and, in turn, general distress. Future research should evaluate whether early intervention with these patients is effective in preventing or reducing distress in the posttreatment period. This work was supported by a grant from the National Cancer Institute (5R01 CA082822).