Medicinal Plants Used for Eye Conditions in Mexico-A Review.

Medicinal plants have been historically significant for treating common human diseases in Mexico. Although some ethnobotanical research exists, limited ethnomedicinal data has documented medicinal plants employed for eye health. This review focuses on ethnomedicinal information and preclinical and clinical studies regarding medicinal plants used in Mexico for treating symptoms associated with eye conditions. An electronic database search was conducted by consulting scientific articles, books about Mexican herbal medicine, and academic theses. This work recorded 69 plant species belonging to 26 plant families, especially plants from the Crassulaceae family, which are used as remedies for irritation and infections in the eye. Eight of these medicinal plants have been the subject of preclinical studies using ocular models, and one medicinal plant has been tested in clinical trials. The evidence of pharmacological effects indicates the promising therapeutic potential of these medicinal plants for developing new treatments for eye conditions. However, toxicological studies are necessary to ensure safe application to the eye, particularly as traditional medicine continues to be relied upon worldwide. In addition, this review highlights the need to perform ethnobotanical and phytochemical studies in Mexico regarding the medicinal flora used as remedies for eye conditions.

TRPML1 links lysosomal calcium to autophagosome biogenesis through the activation of the CaMKKß/VPS34 pathway.

The lysosomal calcium channel TRPML1, whose mutations cause the lysosomal storage disorder (LSD) mucolipidosis type IV (MLIV), contributes to upregulate autophagic genes by inducing the nuclear translocation of the transcription factor EB (TFEB). Here we show that TRPML1 activation also induces autophagic vesicle (AV) biogenesis through the generation of phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI3P) and the recruitment of essential PI3P-binding proteins to the nascent phagophore in a TFEB-independent manner. Thus, TRPML1 activation of phagophore formation requires the calcium-dependent kinase CaMKKß and AMPK, which increase the activation of ULK1 and VPS34 autophagic protein complexes. Consistently, cells from MLIV patients show a reduced recruitment of PI3P-binding proteins to the phagophore during autophagy induction, suggesting that altered AV biogenesis is part of the pathological features of this disease. Together, we show that TRPML1 is a multistep regulator of autophagy that may be targeted for therapeutic purposes to treat LSDs and other autophagic disorders.

The contribution of a dermal substitute in the three-layers reconstruction of a nose tip avulsion.

Through and through defects of the nasal ala still remains debated challenge in plastic reconstructive surgery. We present a 36 y.o. woman who suffered by a through and through nose tip avulsion subsequently a dog bite. She refused the use of traditional auricular composite graft or the multiple stages midline forehead flap due to the secondary visible scars. We treated her with the combined use of mucoperichondrial septal flap, cartilage graft and dermal substitute Integra graft, followed by a secondary, full-thickness skin graft. We consider the Integra(®) as a useful option for the treatment of a complex trauma of the nose with through and through tip and alar avulsion when, due to scar or consent problem, it's not possible the use of other techniques.

Burn care in relation to burn epidemiology in Italy.

AIM: Burn centres are 'hubs' of referral for large areas and should be organised in a network optimised for the needs of their area. Burn centres' organisation and activity in Italy are analysed with reference to burn epidemiology in the country. METHODS: A questionnaire was submitted to Italian burn centres concerning organisation, activity and epidemiology of burns treated in 2008. RESULTS: A total of 2067 patients were admitted to a burn centre in 2008; 50% of burns were due to flames (21% alcohol); and 25% of patients were <14 years old. Overall mortality was 5.3%. 144 beds in 15 burn centres were available (seven reserved for children; bed/inhabitants ratio, 1/414, .023). However, distribution is not uniform in the country. Bed rotation was 14.4 patients/bed, and hospital stay varied from 11.7 days for <20% total body surface area (TBSA) burns to >120 days for burns >70%. About half (57%) of patients admitted had less than 20% TBSA burns, 32% had 20-50% TBSA burns, 7% from 50% to 70% and 4% over 70% TBSA. A national network coordinating burn centre activity is lacking. CONCLUSIONS: Italy seems to have less availability of beds for burn care than other countries, and distribution and organisation of the network may be improved. The high prevalence of child burns should be noticed and this makes prevention campaigns advisable.

Use of acellular dermal regeneration template in a complete finger degloving injury: case report.

Finger degloving injury remains one of the most difficult challenges in hand reconstructive surgery. We report the use of an acellular dermal regeneration template to create a neodermis, followed by a secondary, full-thickness skin graft on a complete finger degloving injury, achieving a satisfactory recovery of range of motion and a cosmetically acceptable result.