Bacterial cellulose an effective material in the treatment of chronic venous ulcers of the lower limbs.

Chronic venous ulcers (CVU) of the lower limbs (LL) are common and cause psychological changes and significant social impact, as they make the patient susceptible to pain, absence from work and social bonds. Some materials are suggested as dressings for the treatment of CVU, but they are expensive and are generally not available for use in public health services. To evaluate the efficacy of the treatment for lower limbs (LL) chronic venous ulcer (CVU) using bacterial cellulose (BC), gel and multi-perforated film associated. A randomized controlled clinical-intervention study was performed among participants with LL CVU, divided into two groups: experimental (EG), treated with BC wound dressing and control (CG), treated with a cellulose acetate mesh impregnated with essential fatty acids (Rayon®). The participants were followed for 180 days, evaluated according to the MEASURE methodology. Thirty-nine patients were treated, 20 from the EG and 19 from the CG. In both groups, the wound area decreased significantly (p < 0.001), the healing rate was similar to the CG. The mean number of dressing changes in the SG was 18.33 ± 11.78, while in the CG it was 55.24 ± 25.81, p < 0.001. The healing dressing of bacterial cellulose, gel and associated film, when stimulating the epithelization of the lesions, showed a significant reduction in the initial area, with a percentage of cure similar to the Rayon® coverage. In addition to requiring less direct manipulation of ulcers.

Study on the developmental toxicity of ß-ionone in the rat.

ß-ionone (BIO) is used in fragrances, toiletries and non-cosmetic products, and as a flavor food additive. Notwithstanding the widespread human exposure, there are limited data on the reproductive toxicity of BIO. This study evaluated the developmental toxicity of BIO (0, 125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight/day) given orally to rats on days 6-15 of gestation (GD6-15). C-section was on GD21 and implantations, living and dead fetuses and resorptions were recorded. Fetuses were weighed, and examined for external abnormalities and skeleton and visceral anomalies. The embryotoxicity of a single oral dose of BIO (1000 mg/kg body wt) given on GD11 was evaluated as well. At the highest dose, BIO reduced weight gain and produced chromodacryorrhea and other signs of toxicity. BIO did not increase the frequency of malformations nor did it retard fetal growth. Nonetheless, BIO decreased the pregnancy rate in the group of females exposed on GD6-15, and increased the resorption rate in those treated on GD11 only. In conclusion, except for a higher embryolethality at a maternally toxic dose, BIO caused no embryotoxic effect over the dose range tested and the study NOAEL for maternal and developmental toxicity was 500 mg of BIO/ kg of body weight/day.

New device for intermittent emptying of the bladder in female children and adolescents: A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a challenging problem for the urological community. Clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) is the most commonly used method to restore bladder emptying to the state close to the physiological condition. This procedure can cause negative aspects such as pain and possible urethral injury. In addition, there is a negative impact on self-image and decline in quality of patient's life. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new intraurethral self-retaining device (ISRD), in female children and adolescents, as an attractive alternative to CIC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective clinical pilot study was performed, in a single-institution, including female children and adolescent patients with urinary incontinence secondary to myelomeningocele who were already in an intermittent bladder catheterization program. Assessments included the use of a visual analogue scale in diagnosis of UI, reported adverse events, and the King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) to evaluate quality of life, which was answered by patients and the caregivers of younger patients before and 6 months after enrolment. DISCUSSION: The device was efficient and well tolerated by most patients (84%). The ISRD significantly improved quality of life in children and adolescents (p<0.0001 for both) (Table). The safe insertion and removal of the ISRD can be considered an advantage compared with CIC as eventual urethral trauma is significantly minimized. It was found that one of the main advantages of the ISRD is the possibility of management as an outpatient procedure both for initial insertion and replacement. The autonomy of patients to perform the bladder emptying process by themselves indicates the importance of this study, especially for school life and social interaction. ISRD use showed a tendency to improve the QoL. CONCLUSIONS: This new bladder-draining device (ISRD) was effective and secure in terms of insertion technique, and improved QoL of patients with urinary retention and incontinence, according to domains evaluated in the KHQ.

Effects of L-Glutamine oral supplementation on prostate of irradiated rats.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the protective effect of L-Glutamine in animals undergone to ventral radiation when the target organ is not the prostate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar rats were divided into groups of 10 animals each: Controls (C), maintained under standard conditions and not exposed to radiation, Radiated group (R) undergone to abdominal radiation only and Radiated plus supplemented by L-glutamine group (R+G). The animals of group R+G were supplemented with L-glutamine at the beginning of the experiment until death in the 22nd day. The ventral prostate was dissected and processed for morphometrical analysis. The epithelial height, collagen density and acinar area were objectively assessed in histological sections. RESULTS: Epithelial height was significantly reduced in R group in comparison to C group (p= 0.005). However, there was no statistical difference between the C and R+G groups. Collagen surface density in the C and R groups were not statistically different, but a significant difference was observed when comparing groups R+G and R (p=0.040). The R+G group values did not differ significantly from C group. The acinar prostate area of group R was similar to that of C (p= 0.971), but in R+G it was significantly reduced when compared with the C (p= 0.038) and R (p= 0.001) groups. CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic radiation promotes structural modifications in ventral prostate of rats, which can be reduced by L-Glutamine.

Effects of L-Glutamine oral supplementation on prostate of irradiated rats

ABSTRACT Objectives To investigate the protective effect of L-Glutamine in animals undergone to ventral radiation when the target organ is not the prostate. Materials and Methods Wistar rats were divided into groups of 10 animals each: Controls (C), maintained under standard conditions and not exposed to radiation, Radiated group (R) undergone to abdominal radiation only and Radiated plus supplemented by L-glutamine group (R+G). The animals of group R+G were supplemented with L-glutamine at the beginning of the experiment until death in the 22nd day. The ventral prostate was dissected and processed for morphometrical analysis. The epithelial height, collagen density and acinar area were objectively assessed in histological sections. Results Epithelial height was significantly reduced in R group in comparison to C group (p= 0.005). However, there was no statistical difference between the C and R+G groups. Collagen surface density in the C and R groups were not statistically different, but a significant difference was observed when comparing groups R+G and R (p= 0.040). The R+G group values did not differ significantly from C group. The acinar prostate area of group R was similar to that of C (p= 0.971), but in R+G it was significantly reduced when compared with the C (p= 0.038) and R (p= 0.001) groups. Conclusions Pelvic radiation promotes structural modifications in ventral prostate of rats, which can be reduced by L-Glutamine.

Experimental use of a cellulosic biopolymer as a new material for suburethral sling in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence

Purpose: To analyze the interaction between the cellulose exopolysaccharide (CEC) and urethral tissue when used as a pubovaginal sling. Materials and Methods: Forty Wistar rats were divided into four groups. In groups A and B the cellulose exopolysaccharide (CEC) was implanted around the urethral tissue (bladder neck below the upper margin) and the rats were sacrificed at 30 and 90 days. Similar procedure was used in groups C and D using a polypropylene mesh. After sacrifice bladder and urethra were sent for histological analysis. The histological parameters (inflammatory reaction) by evaluated by quantitative analysis. For collagen deposition analysis it was used stereological method. Results: The cellulose exopolysaccharide (CEC) was inert and well preserved at the implanted region at the time of examination. Morphologic alterations were not found at the CEC implant but some reactions of foreign body type were observed at the adjacent structures. In some areas a process of neovascular formation was observed. Stereological analysis at the suburethral area showed a significant difference in collagen presence in favor of CEC. Conclusions: The CEC implant showed adequate results when used as a suburethral sling with good integration to the host tissue, preserving its architecture.

Experimental use of a cellulosic biopolymer as a new material for suburethral sling in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

PURPOSE: To analyze the interaction between the cellulose exopolysaccharide (CEC) and urethral tissue when used as a pubovaginal sling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty Wistar rats were divided into four groups. In groups A and B the cellulose exopolysaccharide (CEC) was implanted around the urethral tissue (bladder neck below the upper margin) and the rats were sacrificed at 30 and 90 days. Similar procedure was used in groups C and D using a polypropylene mesh. After sacrifice bladder and urethra were sent for histological analysis. The histological parameters (inflammatory reaction) by evaluated by quantitative analysis. For collagen deposition analysis it was used stereological method. RESULTS: The cellulose exopolysaccharide (CEC) was inert and well preserved at the implanted region at the time of examination. Morphologic alterations were not found at the CEC implant but some reactions of foreign body type were observed at the adjacent structures. In some areas a process of neovascular formation was observed. Stereological analysis at the suburethral area showed a significant difference in collagen presence in favor of CEC. CONCLUSIONS: The CEC implant showed adequate results when used as a suburethral sling with good integration to the host tissue, preserving its architecture.