BIO-NAIL: a bacterial cellulose dressing as a new alternative to preserve the nail bed after avulsion.

Avulsion of the nail plate is the most accomplished surgical procedure among the nail apparatus surgeries. Since it is not possible to use the removed nail to cover the nail bed, some materials have been suggested, however, they are generally not available for use and often at a high cost. To evaluate the use of Bacterial Cellulose (BC) dressing as a biological nail (Bio-Nail) after partial or total avulsion of the nail plate. Twenty-six candidates for nail avulsion, were randomized into two groups: Control, using Vaseline with gauze (11 patients) and Experimental group, BC group, using the Bio-Nail (15 patients). The patients were followed up during the 180-day period. The distribution of the patients in the groups was homogeneous for both sociodemographic and clinical data. The occurrence of infection (1 case in the control group) was not statistically relevant. The BC group had lower pain intensity (p = 0.011) with earlier temporal resolution when compared to the control group (p = 0.003). The BC group presented earlier reepithelization (p = 0.022) and better quantitative (p = 0.021) and qualitative conditions (p = 0.011) for the exudate. Regarding satisfaction, all the patients were satisfied. Good preservation of the nail plate area was observed in the BC group at the end of the 180-day period (p = 0.024). Average time of BC dressing permanence was 16.4 ± 7.1 days. BC showed to be appropriate as a dressing after partial or total avulsion of the nail plate. BC is a Bio-Nail promising for nail bed healing.

Dielectric study of the adhesion of mesenchymal stem cells from human umbilical cord on a sugarcane biopolymer.

It is of current interest the identification of appropriate matrices for growing mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). These cells are able not only to regenerate themselves but also to differentiate into other type of functional cells, and so they have been extensively used in tissue engineering. In this work, we have evaluated the use of electric impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to follow the adhesion of MSC from Wharton's jelly of the human umbilical cord (hWJMSC) on sugarcane biopolymers (SCB). Impedance spectra of the systems were obtained in the frequency range of 10(2)-10(5) Hz. An EIS investigation showed that when deposited on a metallic electrode SCB films prevent the passage of electrons between the solution and the metallic interface. The impedance spectra of hWJMSCs adhered on SCB revealed that there is a significant increase in the magnitude of the impedance when compared to that of pure SCB. The corresponding resistance (real part of the impedance) was even higher for the SCB-hWJMSC system than for SCB without cells on their surface, in an indication of an increased blockage to the electron transfers. The resistance charge transfer is extracted by curve-fitting the impedance spectra to an equivalent circuit model. Also, a shift of the phase angle to higher frequencies was obtained for SCB-hWJMSC system as a result from hWJMSC adhesion. Our study demonstrates that EIS is an appropriate method to evaluate the adhesion of MSC. SCB can be considered as a promising biomaterial for tissue engineering.

First Report of Root Rot Caused by Pythium aphanidermatum on Artichoke.

In the deserts of Southern California, globe artichokes (Cynara scolymus L.) are grown as annuals. Greenhouse-grown seedlings (5 to 6 weeks old) are commonly transplanted into minimum-tilled, drip-irrigated beds in late summer (August to September) and harvested in winter and spring (December to April). By mid-October of 1997 and 1999, up to 30% of the plants in some commercial fields were either stunted or dead. There was no further progression of the disease over the remainder of the production season. Primary and secondary roots of symptomatic plants submitted for diagnosis in October of 1997 and 1999 exhibited extensive root rot. The organism consistently isolated from rotted roots that were plated onto water agar grew optimally at 37°C, produced inflated sporangia, intercalary antheridia, and oospores characteristic of Pythium aphanidermatum Edson (Fitzp.). Soil temperatures at the 10 cm depth during late summer range from 25 to 34°C. These high soil temperatures are known to be favorable to the pathogenic activity of P. aphanidermatum. To confirm Koch's postulates, 6-week-old artichoke seedlings were transplanted into potting soil that was artificially infested with the pathogen (20 oospores per g of soil). Oospores were obtained from 2-week-old V8 agar cultures of the fungus. Inoculated and noninoculated control plants were incubated at 28°C and the experiment was repeated once. All inoculated plants died within 2 weeks and P. aphanidermatum was recovered only from the rotted roots of inoculated plants. This is the first report of P. aphanidermatum causing root rot on artichoke.

Wound infection rates in clean surgery: a potentially misleading risk classification.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the incidence of wound infection in inguinal hernioplasties, incisional hernioplasties, splenectomies, and splenectomies performed in patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis, and to examine the relationship of surgical wound infection to antibiotic use, patient age, length of stay in the hospital prior to surgery, and the duration of the operation. DESIGN: Retrospective surveillance study. RESULTS: One thousand five hundred forty-two clean operations were analyzed. Comparing response (wound infection) and explanatory variables (age, length of hospital stay, duration of surgery, antibiotics, and surgery type), we found that age, use of antibiotics, and type of surgery were statistically significant, while length of hospital stay and duration of surgery were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: From these results, we can predict that the probability of wound infection in surgical patients considering these significant variables is lower for patients ages 14 to 30 years and higher for patients ages 31 to 60 years and lower for patients with prophylactic antibiotic use (up to 72 hours of use) and higher for patients with prolonged use (more than 72 hours); and lower for patients undergoing inguinal heria, followed in ascending order by nonschistosomotic patients undergoing splenectomy in schistosomotic patients.

Hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy proves to be advantageous in the treatment of experimental liver tumors.

To evaluate the best locoregional approach in the treatment of hepatic tumors we investigated four different treatment modalities. Sixty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to the following treatment groups: (1) untreated control; (2) hepatic artery ligation; (3) hepatic artery ligation plus portal 5-FU chemotherapy; (4) arterial 5-FU chemotherapy; (5) portal 5-FU chemotherapy. All animals received Novikoff hepatoma cells inoculated in the median liver lobe. After tumor inoculation animals were treated according to their randomization and surgery was performed for repeated tumor size measurements. Through hepatic artery ligation, hepatic artery ligation plus portal 5-FU infusion as well as through arterial 5-FU infusion a significant tumor growth inhibition compared to the untreated control could be achieved. The portal infusion group even showed an accelerated tumor growth; however, this effect was not significant. We conclude that the intraarterial application in terms of clinical feasibility and duration of response should be the preferred approach in locoregional therapy of liver malignancies.

Technique for long-term infusion into the inferior mesenteric artery of unrestrained rats.

A technique for long-term infusion into the inferior mesenteric artery was developed which allows simple and reliable regional infusion into the colorectal segment of unrestrained rats. The cannulation system consists of an injection port 'In Stoppers' as a flow swivel, connected to an injection needle, which is inserted into a polyethylene tube protected by a steel spiral. During infusion the animals are free to move in the cage with access to food and water ad libitum. The method is suitable for regional chemotherapy as well as for studies of colorectal tumours in rats. In this study 73% of the cannulae remained functional for continuous infusion over a 15 day period.

Locoregional application of 5-fluorouracil to the liver: alteration of pharmacokinetics and bone marrow toxicity in rats with thioacetamide-induced cirrhosis.

Pharmacokinetics and toxicity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) applied intra-arterially into the liver were studied in control and cirrhotic rats. Cirrhosis was induced by administering thioacetamide (4.5 mg/rat X day) over 6 months. 5-FU was administered into the hepatic artery at 30 mg/kg b.w. by bolus injection followed by infusion of 0.63 mg/kg X min for 40 min. Pharmacokinetics of 5-FU in plasma was studied by HPLC analysis. 5-FU induced toxicity was examined in a second group of control and cirrhotic rats at 48 and 168 hours after treatment with 5-FU (31.4 mg/kg b.w.) infused into the liver artery for 1 h. Analysis of toxicity was carried out by determining liver enzymes in plasma, bone marrow cellularity and colony forming units in vitro (CFU-C) and in vivo (CFU-S). The results indicate that during the period investigated (85 min) 5-FU was not eliminated from the plasma of cirrhotic rats in contrast to controls. The constant level of 5-FU in the plasma of cirrhotic rats induced a considerably higher myelosuppression in these animals, than the short-lived 5-FU peak in controls.

Feasible model for locoregional and systemic longterm administration of drugs and concomitant blood sampling in Sprague-Dawley rats.

This methodological study describes three surgical procedures for locoregional and systemic drug administration, which are based on a similar experimental design. Cannulation of the arterial and portal access to the liver in comparison to the general venous system, and arterial access to the large intestine through a permanently implantable system, suitable for serial bolus injections and infusions in unrestrained rats, is presented (experiment I). Furthermore, an infusion system for longterm administration (experiment II) and a method for blood sampling during locoregional or systemic infusion procedures (experiment III) have been developed. The positioning and free flow of the catheters were checked by means of scintigraphy, administration of fluorescein under UV light and angiography in animals of experimental series I. After 7 days, no obstruction was detected. On day 15 and 30 following implantation 73.3% and 58.3% of the animals, respectively, showed unimpeded flow through the catheter system. The methods described here were well tolerated by the animals without alteration of their general condition and are currently in use in a series of chemotherapeutic and pharmacokinetic investigations.

Experiments on the efficacy and toxicity of locoregional chemotherapy of liver tumors with 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (FUDR) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in an animal model.

For the investigation of locoregional chemotherapy of liver neoplasms we developed a standardized animal model in the rat. Continuous infusion therapy or repeated bolus injections of FUDR or 5-FU were given via the hepatic artery, the portal vein or the vena cava in tumor-bearing animals. The efficacy of the treatment was determined by measuring the tumor volume 3 weeks after tumor cell implantation. For the evaluation of the local and systemic toxicity serum GOT, GPT, and total bilirubin were determined. DNA single strand breaks were assessed in isolated liver and bone marrow cells. Inhibition of colony formation of bone marrow stem cells was determined by CFU-C and CFU-S bioassay. A significant reduction of tumor growth was observed only after continuous infusion of FUDR via the hepatic artery. Systemic toxicity was lowest in this group for both compounds while the local liver toxicity was only slightly elevated.

Regeneracao hepatica pos-hepatectomia parcial em ratos com fibrose esquistossomotica. / Hepatic regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats with schistosomotic fibrosis

A regeneracao hepatica pos-hepatectomia parcial em ratos albinos com fibrose esquistossomotica foi estudada atraves da contagem de figuras de mitose, hepatocitos binucleados e cariometria dos hepatocitos em 39 ratos albinos distribuidos em dois grupos: A - 23 ratos dois machos e duas femeas infectados no 3o. mes, e submetidos a hepatectomia parcial no 13o. mes e avaliada a regeneracao 48 horas apos a hepatectomia parcial; B - 16 ratos sete machos e nove femeas sem infeccao operados e avaliada a regeneracao nas mesmas condicoes do grupo A. Os resultados obtidos mostram com uma confianca de 5% que ocorreu regeneracao hepatico pos-hepatectomia parcial de ratos com fibrose hepatica esquistossomotica de forma semelhante aos ratos normais

Ascorbic acid in schistosomiasis mansoni with or without digestive haemorrhage.

The authors studied the variations of ascorbic acid levels in white blood cells and plasma by Denson-Bowers' method in 20 normal individuals (Group I) and 36 schistosoma patients with hepatosplenic disease with and without gastrointestinal haemorrhage (Groups II and III, including 18 patients each). Having submitted the results to statistical analysis with a probability rate of 95%, the authors concluded that, while no significant difference could be seen between Groups I, II and III in ascorbic acid levels in white blood cells, there was a significant decrease in plasma ascorbic acid levels of Group III as compared with Groups I and II.

Regeneracao hepatica pos-hepatectomia parcial em ratos com fibrose esquistossomotica, antes e apos o tratamento medicamentoso. / Liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats with schistosomotic fibrosis, before and after drug therapy

A regeneracao hepatica pos-hepatectomia parcial em ratos albinos com fibrose esquistossomotica apos o tratamento medicamentoso da esquistossomose, estudada atraves da cariometria dos hepatocitos e contagem de figuras de mitose e hepatocitos binucleados em 45 ratos albinos distribuidos em dois grupos: Grupo A: 29 ratos, 15 machos e 14 femeas, infectados no 3o mes de vida com uma carga de 400 cercarias de S. mansoni por animal e tratados com uma dose unica de 15 mg/kg de hycanthone por via intraperitoneal, seis meses apos a infeccao e submetidos a hepatectomia parcial no 13o mes de vida e avaliada a regeneracao hepatica 48 horas apos a hepatectomia; Grupo B: 16 ratos, 10 machos e seis femeas, sem infeccao, que receberam hycanthone em dose unica de 15 mg/kg por via intraperitoneal no 9o mes de vida e quatro meses apos foram submetidos a hepatectomia parcial, sendo os sobreviventes sacrificados 48 horas apos a intervencao. Os resultados obtidos mostram com uma confianca de 5o que ocorreu regeneracao hepatica poshepatectomia parcial em ratos com fibrose esquistossomotica, apos o tratamento medicamentoso, de forma semelhante aos animais normais com relacao aos parametros cariometria dos hepatocitos binucleados

Acido ascorbico na esquistossomose mansonica na vigencia ou nao de episodio de hemorragia digestiva. / Ascorbic acid in schistosomiasis mansoni with and without gastrointestinal haemorrhage

Estudo das variacoes dos niveis leucocitarios e plasmaticos de acido ascorbico, pelo metodo de Denson e Bowers, em 20 individuos normais (Grupo I) e em 36 pacientes esquistossomoticos na forma hapato-esplenica sem e com hemorragia digestiva (Grupos II e III, com 18 pacientes cada). Os resultados foram submetidos a uma analise estatistica (t de student) com uma probabilidade de confianca de 95%.Obteve resultados que nao demonstraram diferenca significativa entre os valores do acido ascorbico nos leucocitos dos Grupos I, II e III e observou uma diminuicao significante das concentracoes plasmaticas deste acido no Grupo III, quando comparadas com as dos Grupos I e II

Concentracoes leucocitarias e plasmaticas do acido ascorbico em portadores da forma hepatoesplenica da esquistossomose mansonica. / Ascorbic acid levels in white blood cells and plasma of patients with hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis

Estudo das concentracoes leucocitarias e plasmaticas do acido ascorbico, pelo metodo de Denson e Bowers em 18 pacientes esquistossomoticos na forma hepatoesplenica (Grupo I) e em 20 individuos normais (Grupo II) que constituiram o Grupo-Controle. Os resultados foram submetidos a uma analise estatistica (t de Student) com uma probabilidade de confianca de 95%. Observou que nao houve diferenca estatisticamente significante entre os niveis do acido ascorbico nos leucocitos e no plasma dos grupos I e II