Ocoxin as a complement to first line treatments in cancer.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the most frequent treatment for patients suffering from malignant progression of cancer. Even though new treatments are now being implemented, administration of these chemotherapeutic agents remains as the first line option in many tumor types. However, the secondary effects of these compounds represent one of the main reasons cancer patients lose life quality during disease progression. Recent data suggests that Ocoxin, a plant extract and natural compound based nutritional complement rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory mediators exerts a positive effect in patients receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This mixture attenuates the chemotherapy and radiotherapy-related side effects such as radiation-induced skin burns and mucositis, chemotherapy-related diarrhea, hepatic toxicity and blood-infection. Moreover, it has been proven to be effective as anticancer agent in different tumor models both in vitro and in vivo, potentiating the cytotoxic effect of several chemotherapy compounds such as Lapatinib, Gemcitabine, Paclitaxel, Sorafenib and Irinotecan. The aim of this review is to put some light on the potential of this nutritional mixture as an anticancer agent and complement for the standard chemotherapy routine.

The effect of intraurethral dexpanthenol in hypospadias repair: experimental rabbit study.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, the authors aimed to research the histopathologic effects of intraurethral use of dexpanthenol for hypospadias repair. Dexpanthenol is a derivative of pantothenic acid, a B complex vitamin. Pantothenic acid is a molecule contributing in the structure of coenzyme A. It decreases the release of myeloperoxidase from granulocytes and inhibits the formation of free oxygen radicals, and it exhibits an anti-inflammatory effect by increasing mitotic activity. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the use of dexpanthenol after a tubularized incised plate urethroplasty (TIP) on wound healing, inflammation, and fibrosis. STUDY DESIGN: In this study, 18 healthy male New Zealand white rabbits weighing 2500-3000 g were used. The 18 rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups. For the hypospadias model, rabbits had a urethral catheter inserted in the urethra and a ventral midline incision was made from the glans tip to the central line of the penis. Afterward, the incision was closed with Vicryl (7/0) using the continuous suture technique, and urethroplasty was completed. For fourteen days, group I had 0.9% saline solution administered intraurethrally twice per day with a 22G catheter sleeve (control group), group II had one dose of 500 mg/kg dexpanthenol (Bepanthene®; Bayer Turk Chemical Industry Limited Company, Turkey) ampoule and one dose of saline solution administered in the same way, and group III had two doses of 500 mg/kg dexpanthenol ampoule administered. On the fifteenth day, the penis was degloved and rabbits had penectomy performed with samples sent to the pathology department for histopathological assessment. RESULTS: The degree of fibrosis and inflammation in group I (control group) was more severe than groups II and III. The differences between groups I and II were statistically significantly different for both fibrosis and inflammation (P = 0.018 and P = 0.041, respectively). The differences between groups I and III were also statistically significantly different for both fibrosis and inflammation (P = 0.019 and P = 0.011, respectively). Groups II and III were not different significantly for fibrosis and inflammation (P > 0.05). DISCUSSION: This study shows that intraurethral dexpanthenol application has positive effects on fibrosis and inflammation. The main limitations of the study are that the hypospadias model was created surgically and long-term follow-up for fistula formation was not assessed. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of intraurethral dexpanthenol after hypospadias repair has positive effects on fibrosis and inflammation.

Mutations in SLC5A6 associated with brain, immune, bone, and intestinal dysfunction in a young child.

The human sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter (hSMVT) is a product of the SLC5A6 gene and mediates biotin, pantothenic acid, and lipoate uptake in a variety of cellular systems. We report here the identification of mutations R94X, a premature termination, and R123L, a dysfunctional amino acid change, both in exon 3 of the SLC5A6 gene in a child using whole genome-scanning. At 15 months of age, the child showed failure to thrive, microcephaly and brain changes on MRI, cerebral palsy and developmental delay, variable immunodeficiency, and severe gastro-esophageal reflux requiring a gastrostomy tube/fundoplication, osteoporosis, and pathologic bone fractures. After identification of the SLC5A6 mutations, he responded clinically to supplemental administration of excess biotin, pantothenic acid, and lipoate with improvement in clinical findings. Functionality of the two mutants was examined by 3H-biotin uptake assay following expression of the mutants in human-derived intestinal HuTu-80 and brain U87 cells. The results showed severe impairment in biotin uptake in cells expressing the mutants compared to those expressing wild-type hSMVT. Live cell confocal imaging of cells expressing the mutants showed the R94X mutant to be poorly tolerated and localized in the cytoplasm, while the R123L mutant was predominantly retained in the endoplasmic reticulum. This is the first reporting of mutations in the SLC5A6 gene in man, and suggests that this gene is important for brain development and a wide variety of clinical functions.

Dietary pantothenic acid depressed the gill immune and physical barrier function via NF-κB, TOR, Nrf2, p38MAPK and MLCK signaling pathways in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella).

This study explored the effects of pantothenic acid (PA) on the immune and physical barrier function, and relative mRNA levels of signaling molecules in the gill of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). The results indicated that compared with optimal PA supplementation, PA deficiency (1.31 mg/kg diet) decreased gill interleukin 10, transforming growth factor ß1, inhibitor of κBα (IκBα), eIF4E-binding protein 2, Claudin b and ZO-1 mRNA levels; anti-superoxide anion activity, and activities and mRNA levels of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase, manganese superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and NF-E2-related factor (P < 0.05). Additionally, PA deficiency and excess (75.08 mg/kg diet) decreased gill complement 3 and glutathione contents, lysozyme and acid phosphatase, anti-hydroxy radical, catalase and glutathione S-transferases activities, and liver-expression antimicrobial peptide 2, hepcidin, Claudin 3, Claudin c and Occludin mRNA levels (P < 0.05). Conversely, PA deficiency increased gill reactive oxygen species and protein carbonyl contents, and interferon γ2, interleukin 8, nuclear factor kappa B P65, Claudin 15a, Kelch-like ECH-associating protein 1a and Kelch-like ECH-associating protein 1b mRNA levels (P<0.05). Moreover, PA deficiency and excess increased gill malondialdehyde content, and tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1ß, IκB kinase α, IκB kinase ß, IκB kinase γ, target of rapamycin and ribosomal S6 protein kinase1 p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases and myosin light-chain kinase mRNA levels (P<0.05). In conclusion, PA deficiency decreased immune and physical barrier function, and regulated relative mRNA levels of signaling molecules in fish gill. Based on the quadratic regression analysis of gill lysozyme activity, the optimal PA levels in grass carp (253.44-745.25 g) were estimated to be 36.97 mg/kg diet.

Efficacy of chlorhexidine, dexpanthenol, allantoin and chitosan gel in comparison with bicarbonate oral rinse in controlling post-interventional inflammation, pain and cicatrization in subjects undergoing dental surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Reducing post-interventional inflammation and pain in odontostomatological surgery procedures, such as tooth extractions, implants or oral biopsies is a relevant clinical goal. Chlorhexidine oral rinse is commonly used with this aim. Recently a new product containing chlorhexidine, dexpanthenol, allantoin and chitosan (Bexident Post [BP]) in a gel formulation has been developed. We evaluated the efficacy of BP in controlling postsurgical inflammation and pain and in promoting cicatrization in subjects undergoing molar extractions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective sequential cross-over, randomized controlled study in patients undergoing surgical removal of at least two impacted mandibular third molars (teeth numbers 38 and 48) (numbers 17 and 32 in the Universal Tooth Numbering System), in two separate sessions, to determine the effect of BP in comparison with bicarbonate (BC) oral rinse (one spoonful in 200 ml of water), both used three times daily. Each subject utilized both products in a randomized sequential manner after each tooth extraction. Primary outcomes of the study were post-procedure pain and inflammation. Secondary outcomes were analgesic pill rescue use (metamizole 1 cap every 8 hours if needed) and an assessor-blinded evaluation of cicatrization with a semi-quantitative scale (good, satisfactory and insufficient). Post-procedure pain was assessed 6 hours after tooth extraction and for seven consecutive days by means of a 10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS) (from 0: no pain to 10: extreme pain). The extent of inflammation was evaluated through metric measurements of facial perimeter using standardized anatomical reference points. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients (22 men and 25 women; mean age 34 years) were enrolled with a total of 94 molars extracted. Nineteen subjects applied BC as the first sequential treatment and 28 BP as the first. Before surgery no mean differences in the two treatments in inflammation measurements were observed. After surgery mean VAS pain score was similar between the two treatments in the first 6 hours (VAS score = 6.5). A marked progressive reduction in pain intensity with the use of BP was observed throughout the treatment period in comparison with BC (7 day mean scores 3.7 vs. 5.3; p = 0.0001). BP was superior to BC in reducing inflammation with -50% of the inflammation-related measurement (6 mm vs. 12 mm; p = 0.0001). Analgesic pill consumption was lower with BP in comparison with BC (13 pills vs. 24; p < 0.05). Cicatrization was scored 'good' in a higher percentage of subjects during BP use (64%) in comparison with the BC group (13%) (p = 0.0001). No serious side effects were reported with either treatment regimen. CONCLUSION: In this trial BP performed better than BC in controlling pain and inflammation in subjects undergoing dental surgery, reducing the consumption of analgesics and favoring better cicatrization.

Effects of a Preparation Containing Pantogam, Succinic Acid, and Chitosan on Activities of the Glutathione System and NADPH-Generating Enzymes in Rat Tissues under Conditions of Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion.

Treatment with the complex preparation containing pantogam, succinic acid, and chitosan normalized the concentration of reduced glutathione and activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and some NADPH-generating enzymes (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and NADPH-isocitrate dehydrogenase) in animals with experimental hypoxia/reperfusion of the brain. These results can be explained by suppression of free radical oxidation and normalization of the antioxidant system related to the neuroprotective, antihypoxic, and antioxidant properties of these substances, their involvement into the regulation of cell metabolism under pathological conditions accompanied by oxidative stress.

Topical N-acetylcysteine improves wound healing comparable to dexpanthenol: an experimental study.

In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of dexpanthenol and N-acetylcysteine on wound healing. The wound healing process is a multifaceted sequence of activities associated with tissue restoration process. A number of investigations and clinical studies have been performed to determine new approaches for the improvement of wound healing. A total of 30 rats were divided into 3 equal groups. A linear 2-cm incision was made in the rats' skin. No treatment was administered in the first (control) group. Dexpanthenol cream was administered to the rats in the second group and 3% N-acetylcysteine cream was administered to the rats in the third group. The wound areas of all of the rats were measured on certain days. On the 21st day, all wounds were excised and histologically evaluated. The epithelialization and granulation rates between the groups were revealed to be similar in microscopic evaluations. Although the fibrosis was remarkable in the control group as compared with the other groups, it was similar in N-acetylcysteine and dexpanthenol groups. Angiogenesis rate was remarkable in the N-acetylcysteine group compared with the others. In multiple-comparison analysis, Dexpanthenol and N-acetylcysteine groups had similar results in terms of wound healing rates (P < 0.05), which were both higher than in the control group (P > 0.05). The efficacy of N-acetylcysteine in wound healing is comparable to dexpanthenol, and both substances can be used to improve wound healing.

The effect of intraurethral dexpanthenol on healing and fibrosis in rats with experimentally induced urethral trauma.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of dexpanthenol applied early after urethral trauma for preventing inflammation and spongiofibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven rats were randomized and divided into 3 groups, with 9 rats in each group. The urethras of all rats were traumatized with a pediatric urethrotome knife at 6-o' clock. For 14 days, group I was given 0.9% saline twice a day (control group), group II was given dexpanthenol 500 mg/kg ampules once a day and 0.9% saline once a day, and group III was given dexpanthenol 500 mg/kg ampules twice a day intraurethrally using a 22 ga catheter sheath. On day 15, the penises of the rats were degloved to perform penectomy. RESULTS: The mean fibrosis scores were 2.4, 2.2, and 1.4, and mean inflammation scar scores were 2, 1.4, and 1.3 in groups I, II, and III, respectively. There was a significant difference between groups I and II for inflammation (P = .011); however, the difference for fibrosis was not significant (P = .331). The differences between groups I and III were statistically significantly different both for inflammation and fibrosis (P = .004 and P = .003, respectively). Groups II and III were not different significantly for inflammation (P = .638); however, there was less fibrosis in group III, in which high-dose dexpanthenol was administered. CONCLUSION: We showed that dexpanthenol applied early after urethral trauma significantly decreased inflammation and spongiofibrosis. We hope that our study will help to decrease strictures after urethral trauma and contribute to pharmaceutical investigations aiming to improve the success of the surgery for urethral strictures.

Tolerability and effects on quality of life of liposomal nasal spray treatment compared to nasal ointment containing dexpanthenol or isotonic NaCl spray in patients with rhinitis sicca.

This study aimed to investigate symptom reduction via the liposomal nasal spray LipoNasal (LN) in patients with rhinitis sicca. Tolerability and the impact on quality of life were also examined. The same parameters were established in parallel for treatment approaches with Bepanthen (BP) nasal ointment containing dexpanthenol and the Rhinomer (RH) nasal spray containing NaCl. This prospective, controlled, open-label observation study was a multicenter trial. 92 patients with rhinitis sicca were allocated to three arms according to their symptoms: LN: n = 33; BP: n = 32 and RH: n = 27. The study comprised three visits at an interval of 14 days. Efficacy was examined by the Rhinitis Sicca Symptom Score (RSSS) documented daily and at the visits based on an endoscopic evaluation. The nasal spray sensory scale was used to investigate the tolerability. Quality of life (QoL) was measured by means of the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) and the "Short Form 12" of the "Impact on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL)" questionnaire on general quality of life. Nasal symptoms improved significantly (p = 0.001) under all three treatment approaches, reflected by the reduction in the RSSS and the Endoscopy Sum Score. A comparison of the three groups showed that no therapy was significantly superior to any of the others (p = 0.410). The tolerability of all treatments was good. Concerning the nasal moisturization, LipoNasal was evaluated better than Bepanthen and Rhinomer. Quality of life improved in all groups, but not significantly. The results show good efficacy and tolerability of the liposomal nasal spray compared to generally recognized treatments of rhinitis sicca with dexpanthenol nasal ointment and NaCl nasal spray. LipoNasal therefore constitutes a good treatment for patients suffering from dry nose.

Dexpanthenol modulates gene expression in skin wound healing in vivo.

Topical application of dexpanthenol is widely used in clinical practice for the improvement of wound healing. Previous in vitro experiments identified a stimulatory effect of pantothenate on migration, proliferation and gene regulation in cultured human dermal fibroblasts. To correlate these in vitro findings with the more complex in vivo situation of wound healing, a clinical trial was performed in which the dexpanthenol-induced gene expression profile in punch biopsies of previously injured and dexpanthenol-treated skin in comparison to placebo-treated skin was analyzed at the molecular level by Affymetrix® GeneChip analysis. Upregulation of IL-6, IL-1ß, CYP1B1, CXCL1, CCL18 and KAP 4-2 gene expression and downregulation of psorasin mRNA and protein expression were identified in samples treated topically with dexpanthenol. This in vivo study might provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms responsible for the effect of dexpanthenol in wound healing and shows strong correlations to previous in vitro data using cultured dermal fibroblasts.

Comparative trial of 5% dexpanthenol in water-in-oil formulation with 1% hydrocortisone ointment in the treatment of childhood atopic dermatitis: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic relapsing disease particularly affecting children. The emollient used for protection of skin barrier function is the standard treatment for patients with AD. Currently, there is a growing interest in the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as dexpanthenol (vitamin B5) as an alternative treatment. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of 5% dexpanthenol (DT) ointment with 1% hydrocortisone (HC) ointment in childhood AD therapy. METHOD: Patients were treated topically with 5% DT ointment on the right side of the body and 1% HC ointment on the other side twice daily for 4 weeks. The clinical responses were evaluated by SCORAD (Scoring Atopic Dermatitis index) with statistical analysis using paired t-test. RESULT: Of the 30 children enrolled, 26 completed the protocol; mean age was 7.19 years. The average baseline SCORAD score of the DT-treated side and the HC-treated side was 30.95 and 30.54, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in SCORAD score reduction between the 2 agents. The edematous score of the HC-treated side exhibited faster resolution than that of the DT-treated side, with a statistically significant difference at week 1 and without a statistically significant difference at weeks 2 to 4. The lichenification response rate of HC treatment was more rapid than that of DT treatment; however, there was no statistical group difference. No adverse events were observed with either agent. CONCLUSION: The effectiveness of 5% DT ointment is equal to that of 1% HC ointment. DT ointment may be used as alternative treatment in mild to moderate childhood AD therapy.

A randomized, prospective, double-blind study of the efficacy of dexpanthenol nasal spray on the postoperative treatment of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis after endoscopic sinus surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of dexpanthenol nasal spray compared with normal saline spray in the postoperative treatment of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). MATERIALS AND METHOD: A prospective, randomized controlled study was conducted in CRS patients who underwent ESS. The enrolled patients had never been operated intranasally. These patients received either dexpanthenol or normal saline nasal spray intranasally four times a day for six weeks post-operatively. RESULTS: Fifty CRS patients were recruited in the present study. Age ranged from 23 to 63 years (means 43.4 +/- 11.2 years). Forty-four percent of patients were diagnosed as CRS without nasal polyps (NP) (CRSs NP) and 56% were CRS with NP (CRSw NP). Twenty-five cases were randomly assigned to use dexpanthenol nasal spray whereas the other 25 cases used normal saline nasal spray. The preoperative severity of CRS, determined by the computerized tomography (CT) scan scoring system of Lund-McKay was 13.9 +/- 6.2 in the dexpanthenol group and 13.6 +/- 6.9 in the normal saline group, which were not statistically different (p > 0.05). The endoscopic scoring was 10.2 +/- 2 in the dexpanthenol group and 10.7 +/- 3 in the normal saline group, which were not statistically different (p > 0.05). The mucociliary transit time improvement (time difference between pre- and post-treatment by nasal spray) was 8.4 +/- 3.3 minutes in the dexpanthenol group and 1.7 +/- 1.2 minutes in the normal saline group, which were statistically different (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The majority of the postoperative symptom scores and all of the endoscopic scores of the dexpanthenol group were not statistically different from those of the normal saline group. However, dexpanthenol nasal spray has superior efficacy compared with normal saline nasal spray on improvement of mucociliary clearance and nasal discharge in the postoperative care of CRS patients after ESS.

Confirmation of the efficacy of vitamin B6 supplementation for McArdle disease by follow-up muscle biopsy.

No effective treatment for McArdle disease exists.We report a Japanese patient with McArdle disease who was treated with vitamin B(6) supplementation (60-90 mg/day). After treatment, increased muscle phosphorylase activity was confirmed by follow-up muscle biopsy (3.8 times higher than pretreatment levels). Increased lactate levels were seen on the forearm exercise test, and regular work activities could be resumed. Vitamin B(6) supplementation can enhance residual phosphorylase activity and improve insufficient anaerobic glycolysis of skeletal muscle.

Acute pantothenic acid and cysteine supplementation does not affect muscle coenzyme A content, fuel selection, or exercise performance in healthy humans.

Reduced skeletal muscle free coenzyme A (CoASH) availability may decrease the contribution of fat oxidation to ATP production during high-intensity, submaximal exercise or, alternatively, limit pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) flux and thereby carbohydrate oxidation. Here we attempted to increase the muscle CoASH pool in humans, via pantothenic acid and cysteine feeding, in order to elucidate the role of CoASH availability on muscle fuel metabolism during exercise. On three occasions, eight healthy male volunteers (age 22.9 ± 1.4 yr, body mass index 24.2 ± 1.5 kg/m(2)) cycled at 75% maximal oxygen uptake (Vo(2max)) to exhaustion, followed by a 15-min work output performance test. Muscle biopsies were obtained at rest, and after 60 min and 91.3 ± 3.1 min of exercise (time to exhaustion on baseline visit) on each occasion. Two weeks following the first visit (baseline), 1 wk of oral supplementation with either 3 g/day of a placebo control (glucose polymer; CON) or 1.5 g/day each of d-pantothenic acid and l-cysteine (CP) was carried out prior to the second and third visits in a randomized, counterbalanced, double-blind manner, leaving a 3-wk gap in total between each visit. Resting muscle CoASH content was not altered by supplementation in any visit. Following 60 min of exercise, muscle CoASH content was reduced by 13% from rest in all three visits (P < 0.05), and similar changes in the respiratory exchange ratio, glycogenolysis (∼235 mmol/kg dry muscle), PCr degradation (∼57 mmol/kg dry muscle), and lactate (∼25 mmol/kg dry muscle) and acetylcarnitine (∼12 mmol(.)kg/dry muscle) accumulation was observed during exercise when comparing visits. Furthermore, no difference in work output was observed when comparing CON and CP. Acute feeding with pantothenic acid and cysteine does not alter muscle CoASH content and consequently does not impact on muscle fuel metabolism or performance during exercise in humans.

Topical use of a silymarin-based preparation to prevent radiodermatitis : results of a prospective study in breast cancer patients.

PURPOSE: More than 80% of patients with breast cancer undergoing postsurgical radiotherapy (RT) will develop radiodermatitis and approximately 10% of these patients show grade 3 lesions. Side effects may reduce the patient's compliance and can be limiting factors to follow RT protocols. Therefore, there is a high need for more effective prophylactic treatments. In this study, a silymarin-based cream (Leviaderm(®)) was tested in comparison to our standard of care (SOC) at the involved site. METHODS: A total of 101 patients were evaluated after breast-conserving surgery followed by RT with 50.4 Gy plus boost 9-16 Gy. Of these, 51 patients were treated with the silymarin-based cream. In addition, 50 patients were documented receiving a panthenol-containing cream interventionally, if local skin lesions occurred. The acute skin reactions were classified according to the RTOG and VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) scores. RESULTS: The median time to toxicity was prolonged significantly with silymarin-based cream (45 vs. 29 days (SOC), p < 0.0001). Only 9.8% of patients using silymarin-based cream showed grade 2 toxicity in week 5 of RT in comparison to 52% with SOC. At the end of RT, 23.5% of patients in the silymarin-based study group developed no skin reactions vs. 2% with SOC, while grade 3 toxicity occurred only in 2% in the silymarin-based arm compared to 28% (SOC). CONCLUSIONS: Silymarin-based cream Leviaderm(®) may be a promising and effective treatment for the prevention of acute skin lesions caused by RT of breast cancer patients. To confirm the results of this nonrandomized, observational trial, this component should be tested in larger multicenter studies in this setting.

Evaluation of supplementation of sucrose medium on the synthesis of Zymomonas mobilis bio-products / Avaliação da suplementação do meio de sacarose na formação de bio–produtos por Zymomonas mobilis

The effect of the variables pantothenic acid, yeast extract and sodium chloride, as well as the cell permeabilization technique, were investigated on the formation of levan, ethanol, sorbitol and biomass of Zymomonas mobilis, using a 24-1 fraction factorial design. Cell growth was determined by turbidimetry at 605 nm, relating it to a biomass with a dry weight calibration curve. Reducing sugars were quantified according to Somogyi and Nelson. Total sugars were quantified by the phenol-sulfuric acid method, sorbitol by HPLC and ethanol. The levan produced was precipitated by the addition of absolute ethanol and quantified in fructose units. In levan biosynthesis, the variable that had the largest contribution was cell condition. The results suggested that the factors that most affected biomass and ethanol formation were sodium chloride concentration and cell condition that affected negatively on production. For sorbitol, the variable that had a significant effect was permeabilization, which decreased its synthesis. Studies to amplify the range of established factors would be important.

A influência das variáveis: ácido pantotênico, extrato de levedura, cloreto de sódio, e a técnica de permeabilização celular foram investigadas na formação de levana, sorbitol, etanol e biomassa de Zymomonas mobilis utilizando um delineamento estatístico fatorial fracionado 24-1. A biomassa foi determinada por turbidimetria, Os açúcares redutores foram quantificados por Somogy e Nelson, açúcar total por Fenol Sulfúrico, sorbitol por HPLC e etanol por micro-destilação. A levana produzida foi precipitada com etanol absoluto e determinada como unidade de frutose. Na biossíntese de levana, a variável que mais contribuiu foi a condição celular. Os resultados sugerem que, para a formação da biomassa e etanol, os fatores que mais interferiram foram a concentração de cloreto de sódio e a condição celular que influencia negativamente a produção. Para o sorbitol, a variável que teve efeito significativo foi a permeabilização celular que atuou diminuindo a sua síntese. Estudos que ampliam a faixa de variação dos fatores estabelecidos são interessantes.

Formulas providing adequate pantothenic acid, vitamin D, manganese, iron and vitamin A for infants fed with mother's milk (aged 6-11 months) according to the Japanese Dietary Reference Intakes prepared by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (2005 edition).

Weaning formulas served in hospitals and care facilities in Japan should conform to dietary reference intakes (DRIs). We examined whether the DRI for breastfed infants aged 6-11 months can be satisfied in dietary practice, with a particular focus on the fulfilment rates for vitamins, minerals, trace elements and electrolytes in weaning formulas containing energy and protein at levels either greater than or equal to the DRIs, as well as on the dietary profiles of weaning formulas to achieve the DRI for every nutrient. The results showed that no weaning formulas examined in this study fulfilled the DRI for pantothenic acid (5 mg), vitamin D (4 microg), manganese (1.2 mg) or iron (5.5 mg). Furthermore, their vitamin A content exceeded the DRI (350 microg RE). The discrepancy between the guidelines and actual dietary practice is probably because of the fact that the estimated reference values poorly reflect the actual dietary intake in the target population; for example, the pantothenic acid and manganese DRIs for breastfed infants aged 6-11 months were set based on the breast milk intake of younger infants (0-5 months) in combination with the breast milk contents. Our results suggest that dietary guidance for infants should include information to promote proper intakes of vitamins A and D, and iron by reducing the amount of vitamin A-rich foods and utilizing dietary vitamin D and iron supplements including government-approved specified health foods.

Tissue extract from Eisenia foetida as a wound-healing agent.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed at demonstrating the influence of Eisenia foetida earthworm extract (G-90) on wound healing in an animal model. Medicinal properties of earthworms have been long known, especially in Eastern countries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four groups of Wister rats (36 in each group) were wounded under anaesthesia; the skin was surgically incised in a circular manner (the circular incision in reference measuring 2 cm in diameter) and afterwards daily treated for 24 days in a following manner: Group 0--the control group deprived from any treatment whatsoever; Group 1--treated with physiological saline solution; Group 2--treated with Panthenol D and serving as a positive control, and Group 3--treated with G-90 (10 ng/ml). The animals were sacrificed on days 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 post wounding and the diameter of wound was measured by virtue of photometric method. The excised wounds were routinely fixed and embedded into paraffin section and dully stained for histopathological analysis. The presence of microorganisms on the wounds was assessed as well. RESULTS: The best antibacterial wound shielding was achieved with G-90 treatment. Besides antibacterial shielding, the wounds treated with G-90 were also protected from inflammation. G-90 was shown to shorten the inflammatory, and accelerate the proliferative and the maturation phase, stimulating thereby the regeneration of an injured epidermis. Statistical analysis revealed G-90 (p=0.018) to be superior over other treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, Eisenia foetida earthworm extract (G90) might be considered as a new wound-healing agent suitable for use in both veterinary and human medicine practice.

The nitric acid burn trauma of the skin.

Nitric acid burn traumata often occur in the chemical industry. A few publications addressing this topic can be found in the medical database, and there are no reports about these traumata in children. A total of 24 patients, average 16.6 years of age, suffering from nitric acid traumata were treated. Wound with I degrees burns received open therapy with panthenol-containing creams. Wound of II degrees and higher were initially treated by irrigation with sterile isotonic saline solution and then by covering with silver-sulphadiazine dressing. Treatment was changed on the second day to fluid-absorbent foam bandages for superficial wounds (up to IIa degrees depth) and occlusive, antiseptic moist bandages in combination with enzymatic substances for IIb degrees -III degrees burns. After the delayed demarcation, necrectomy and mesh-graft transplantation were performed. All wounds healed adequately. Chemical burn traumata with nitric acid lead to specific yellow- to brown-stained wounds with slower accumulation of eschar and slower demarcation compared with thermal burns. Remaining wound eschar induced no systemic inflammation reaction. After demarcation, skin transplantation can be performed on the wounds, as is commonly done. The distinguishing feature of nitric-acid-induced chemical burns is the difficulty in differentiation and classification of burn depth. An immediate lavage should be followed by silver sulphadiazine treatment. Thereafter, fluid-absorbent foam bandages or occlusive, antiseptic moist bandages should be used according to the burn depth. Slow demarcation caused a delay in performing surgical treatments.