Healing Area Research Articles

Wound healing activity of the ethanol root extract and polyphenolic rich fraction from Potentilla fulgens

Context: Potentilla fulgens Wall. ex Hook (Rosaceae) is a potent medicinal plant of the Western Himalayas, where its roots are traditionally used by the local people of Uttaranchal (India) to treat wounds and tiger bites.Objective: The present study scientifically evaluates the wound healing activity of P. fulgens ethanol root extract (EPF) and its ethyl acetate fraction (PFEA) on experimental rats.Materials and methods: Wounds were inflicted on animals by using both excision and incision models. The wounded animals were treated for 16 days with EPF (oral: 200–400 mg/kg and topical: 5–10% w/w) and PFEA (oral: 75 mg/kg; topical: 1.75% w/w). Various physical (wound contraction, epithelialization rate, tensile strength) and biochemical parameters (hydroxyproline, hexosamine, proteins, DNA) were examined during the study. Oxidant product (lipidperoxidase), antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide-dismutase) and reduced glutathione were determined. Morphological and histopathological studies of the skin tissues were monitored.Results: A significant (p < 0.05) wound healing property was observed when the animals were treated topically with EPF (10% w/w) and PFEA (1.75% w/w). A significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the levels of hydroxyproline, hexosamine, protein and DNA up to 59.22, 70.42, 61.01 and 60.00% was observed, respectively. This effect was further demonstrated by the morphological and histopathological representation, thus showing significant (p < 0.05) re-epethelialization on the healing area. EPF and PFEA also showed significant (p < 0.05) antioxidant activity.Conclusions: The present study provided the scientific evidence, where P. fulgens rich in polyphenolic components possess remarkable wound healing activities, thereby supporting the traditional claims.

Moving to different streams of healing praxis: A reformed missionary approach of healing in the African context

There are different streams of healing praxis in Africa today, namely African traditional healing, biomedical healing and spiritual healing (which includes the more recent �touch your TV screen� healing method) among others. These streams offer contemporary African people diverse alternatives with regard to healing. As much as the hegemony of Western biomedicine, as endorsed by missionaries in the past, can no longer serve as a norm in the area of healing, we can also not use the African traditional healing methods and or any other alternative presented to Africa without discernment. This suggests therefore that Reformed mission ecclesiology and missionary practitioners should critically engage the African context, worldview and culture on the matter of healing. It should also engage other forms of spiritual healing methods on offer in the African soil.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The use of an indigenous knowledge system when coming to healing in the African context, alongside Western biomedicine and other forms of spiritual healing practices, provides African people with diverse alternatives. It also poses a missiological question regarding the acceptability of such a practice within the framework of the Reformed Missionary Paradigm.Keywords: healing; praxis; Reformed; Missionary; Africa

Effects of tretinoin on wound healing in aged skin

Aged and adult populations have differences in the structural, biological, and healing properties of skin. Comparative studies of healing under the influence of retinoids in both these populations are very important and, to the best of our knowledge, have not been performed to date. The purpose of this study was to compare the activities of topical tretinoin in aged and adult animal models of wound healing by secondary intention. Male aged rats (24 months old, n = 7) and adult rats (6 months old, n = 8) were used. The rats were assigned to the following groups according to the dates on which wound samples were excised (day 14 or 21 after model creation): treated group, control group, and naive group. Topical application of tretinoin cream was used only on the proximal wound and was applied daily for 7 days. Wound healing areas were measured using metal calipers, and morphological analysis was performed. Slides were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin, Masson's trichrome, and periodic acid-Schiff stains. Statistical analysis adopted a 5% coefficient for rejection of the null hypothesis. Although aged animals showed skin repair, complete reepithelialization was found on day 21 in some animals of both groups (treated and control). In aged rats, the wound area was significantly smaller in treated wounds than in untreated wounds, resulting in a larger scar area compared with the adult group. When treated wounds were compared, no differences were found between the wound areas in adult and aged rats. As expected, the collagen concentration was higher in normal skin from adult rats than in normal skin from aged animals, but there was no difference when aged skin was treated with tretinoin. These results indicate that tretinoin increases collagen synthesis in aged skin and returns the healing process to a normal state of skin healing.

Perceptions of School Principals’ Servant Leadership and Their Teachers’ Job Satisfaction in Oman

ABSTRACTThis study identifies Omani teachers’ perceptions of servant leadership and teacher job satisfaction, and the impact of several demographic differences on their perceptions. The Servant Leadership Scale (SLS) of Barbuto and Wheeler and the Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS) of Spector are used to collect data from 356 teachers. With a few modifications, we found that both scales present measurement reliability in the Omani sample. Results showed that teachers indicate moderate levels of job satisfaction and servant leadership of school principals. There were significant differences based on gender and school type in the areas of emotional healing, promotion, and the nature of the work. Differences at the school level mostly favored the lower grades. This study contributes to the body of research on servant leadership and job satisfaction by explaining the relationship between the two variables from the Omani cultural context.

Both Talin-1 and Talin-2 correlate with malignancy potential of the human hepatocellular carcinoma MHCC-97 L cell.

BackgroundTalin-1 (TLN-1) and TLN-2 are implicated in many cellular processes, but their roles in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. This study aimed to assess cell cycle distribution, anoikis, invasion and migration in human HCC MHCC-97 L cells.MethodsMHCC-97 L cells, which highly express TLN-1, were transduced with TLN-1 shRNA (experimental group) or scramble shRNA (negative control group); non-transduced MHCC-97 L cells were used as blank controls. TLN-1 and TLN-2 mRNA and protein levels were detected by real-time RT-PCR and western blot, respectively. Then, cell cycle distribution and anoikis were assessed by flow cytometry. In addition, migration and invasion abilities were assessed using Transwell and cell scratch assays. Finally, a xenograft nude mouse model was established to further assess cell tumorigenicity.ResultsCompared with the blank and negative control groups, TLN-1/2 mRNA and protein levels were significantly reduced in the experiment group. TLN-1/2 knockdown cells showed significantly more cells in the G0/G1 phase (79.24 %) in comparison with both blank (65.36 %) and negative (62.69 %) control groups; conversely, less cells were found in G2/M and S phases in the experimental group compared with controls. Moreover, anoikis was enhanced (P < 0.05), while invasion and migration abilities were reduced (P < 0.05) in TLN-1/2 knockdown cells compared with controls. TLN-1/2 knockdown inhibited MHCC-97 L cell migration (Percentage of wound healing area: experimental group: 32.6 ± 0.7 % vs. negative controls: 50.1 ± 0.6 % and blank controls: 53.6 ± 0.6 %, both P < 0.01). Finally, the tumors obtained with TLN-1/2 knockdown cells were smaller (P < 0.05) compared with controls.ConclusionBoth TLN-1 and TLN-2 levels correlate with tumorigenicity in human HCC, indicating that these molecules constitute important molecular targets for the diagnosis and/or treatment of HCC.

A Review on Bladder Wound Healing after Mechanical Injury

Congenital defects of the urinary bladder that requires surgical intervention with mechanical wounding are common situations among pediatric urology patients. In conditions with severe lack of tissue, regenerative medicine with autologous cells has become a field of interest for future cure. In both situations, normal bladder wound healing is of major importance for an uneventful healing process and for the final results. Much effort has been put into increasing our understanding in the area of urinary bladder wound healing. Several methods have been used in different studies, all representing different clinical settings to address the issue of normal healing. However, little is known about the differences between these different wound-healing models. In this review, we aimed at summarizing what is known about the process of bladder wound healing after mechanical injury. We present the most commonly used methods in this area; describe the process of healing and the current knowledge on involved signaling transduction factors.

A Novel Arthroscopic Mclaughlin Procedure for Rotator Cuff Repair in Patients with the Osteoporotic Major Tubercle: A Minimum of 6 Years Follow Up

0bjective: To evaluate the outcomes of rotator cuff tear repair with arthroscopic McLaughlin suture in patients with major tubercle osteoporosis. Methods: 35 patients with rotator cuff tear were treated by arthroscopic McLaughlin suture from April 2007 to January 2009. The mean age of the cases was 63.8 (48 to 78) years. All of the cases were full thickness tear ranging 15 mm to 35 mm. The AP and the supraspinatus outlet projection of the X-rays were obtained before surgery. 11 patients had undergone MR examinations and 21 cases had MRA. All the patients underwent acromioplasty. 18 cases were treated by 1, and 17 cases were treated by 2 arthroscopic McLaughlin sutures. UCLA scoring system and MRI scan was adopted to evaluate shoulder function before operation and at the final follow-up time. Results: 32 cases were followed up with a mean postoperative time of 7.8 years. The average UCLA score was improved from a preoperative rating of 13.3 to a postoperative rating of 33.1. The mean pain score was 3.2 vs. 8.7, for pre- vs. post-operation, the function score was 5.3 vs. 9.1, the mean forward flexion score was 3.5 vs. 4.9, the mean forward flexion strength was 4.0 vs. 4.8. The results were 22 excellent, 8 good, 2 fair. The complications encountered included development of major tubercle broken during operation in 1 case; retear in one case and 3 cases with frozen shoulder symptoms. Conclusion: Arthroscopic McLaughlin suture fixation can provide a micro invasive, firm fixation and a large area for rotator cuff healing, without any anchor related complications. The technique is especially valid for the patient with osteoporosis. Clinical relevance: Arthroscopic McLaughlin suture technique in the treatment of rotator cuff tear with major tubercle osteoporosis can give a fine substrate for the bone-tendon ultimate integration, it’s firm, saveable, and can be a widely used technique especially the patients with humeral head osteoporosis. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapy.

Crack healing in SUS304 stainless steel by electropulsing treatment

The research about repair of metal cracks plays an important role in promoting the development of remanufacturing engineering. Crack in the SUS304 stainless steel was treated by electropulsing with peak current density of 4.1 kA/mm2. After seven times of electropulsing treatment, continuous healing areas in both left and right side of crack were formed. The process of rapid melting and solidification occurred in healing areas, columnar crystals and fine recrystallization zone were formed at the same time. The detour and joule heating effects were the main reason to realize crack healing and detailed healing processes were discussed.

Macrophage Phenotype Is Associated With the Regenerative Response in Experimental Replacement of the Porcine Esophagus.

A porcine model for bridging circumferential defects in the intrathoracic esophagus has been developed in order to improve the treatment of children born with long-gap esophageal atresia. The aim of this study was to identify factors beneficial for tissue regeneration in the bridging area in this model and to describe the histological progression 20 days after replacement with a silicone-stented Biodesign mesh. Resection of 3 cm of intrathoracic esophagus and replacement with a bridging graft was performed in six newly weaned piglets. They were fed through a gastrostomy for 10 days, and then had probe formula orally for another 10 days prior to sacrifice. Two out of six piglets had stent loss prior to sacrifice. In the four piglets with the stent in place, a tissue tube, with visible muscle in the wall, was seen at sacrifice. Histology showed that the wall of the healing area was well organized with layers of inflammatory cells, in-growing vessels, and smooth muscle cells. CD163+ macrophages was seen toward the esophageal lumen. In the animals where the stent was lost, the bridging area was narrow, and histology showed a less organized structure in the bridging area without the presence of CD163+ macrophages. This study indicates that regenerative healing was seen in the porcine esophagus 20 days after replacement of a part of the intrathoracic esophagus with a silicone-stented Biodesign mesh, if the bridging graft is retained. If the graft is lost, the inflammatory pattern changes with invasion of proinflammatory, M1 macrophages in the entire wall, which seems to redirect the healing process toward scar formation.

Early Periimplant Tissue Healing on 1-Piece Implants With a Concave Transmucosal Design: A Histomorphometric Study in Dogs.

The purpose of our study was to investigate the early healing phase of marginal bone and soft tissues around unloaded 1-piece implants with a concave transmucosal design, in a dog model. Twenty-four 1-piece implants with a concave transmucosal neck were inserted 1 mm subcrestally in the mandibular ridge of 8 beagle dogs. Four animals were sacrificed after 3 and 12 weeks of healing. Histomorphometric analysis was performed to measure the height of the periimplant tissues. The overall height of the periimplant mucosa was, respectively, 2.67 and 2.52 mm, after 3 and 12 weeks. In the connective tissue, a soft tissue O-ring seal was observed in the healing area provided by the transmucosal concavity, after 12 weeks. The location of the first bone-to-implant contact facing the implant shoulder was 0.00 and +0.18 mm, respectively, after 3 and 12 weeks of healing. Some bone apposition occurred on the implant shoulder during the healing. Within the limits of the present study, a concave transmucosal design in 1-piece implants was associated with a short vertical value of biological width and promoted a mechanical interlocking of the implant body at the connective tissue and marginal bone levels.

Esophageal Mass: The Unusual Suspect

A 93-year-old-male presented for outpatient dacryocystorhinostomy. Post-operatively, he reported sudden onset of severe odynophagia to liquids. He denied chest pain, nausea, vomiting, melena or hematochezia. He reported a history of dysphagia to pills requiring endoscopic esophageal dilation approximately one year prior to this presentation. He had chronic GERD treated with pantoprazole daily. His medical history included CAD, glaucoma and CVA for which he took aspirin 81 mg and Clopidogrel. Physical examination revealed no abdominal tenderness and normoactive bowel sounds. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) demonstrated three discrete, exophytic, polypoid, ulcerated and friable mass like lesions each measuring approximately 2-3 cm x 1-2 cm. These lesions were concerning for malignancy based on their appearance. Pathologic examination of the biopsies revealed marked acute esophagitis with reactive changes but no evidence of malignancy. After further discussion with the pathologist, fungal staining was performed and demonstrated numerous fungal hyphae consistent with Candida. He was treated with Oral Fluconazole for 14 days. Repeat EGD 4 weeks later revealed significant improvement of the mass like lesions. Biopsies from the healing areas revealed no evidence of malignancy and no fungal elements confirming eradication of Candida confirming the diagnosis of Candidoma. Conclusion: Endoscopists should be aware that not all mass lesions are malignant and we report a case of Candidoma masquerading as esophageal cancer.

Mast Cells Infiltrating Inflamed or Transformed Gut Alternatively Sustain Mucosal Healing or Tumor Growth.

Mast cells (MC) are immune cells located next to the intestinal epithelium with regulatory function in maintaining the homeostasis of the mucosal barrier. We have investigated MC activities in colon inflammation and cancer in mice either wild-type (WT) or MC-deficient (Kit(W-sh)) reconstituted or not with bone marrow-derived MCs. Colitis was chemically induced with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). Tumors were induced by administering azoxymethane (AOM) intraperitoneally before DSS. Following DSS withdrawal, Kit(W-sh) mice showed reduced weight gain and impaired tissue repair compared with their WT littermates or Kit(W-sh) mice reconstituted with bone marrow-derived MCs. MCs were localized in areas of mucosal healing rather than damaged areas where they degraded IL33, an alarmin released by epithelial cells during tissue damage. Kit(W-sh) mice reconstituted with MC deficient for mouse mast cell protease 4 did not restore normal mucosal healing or reduce efficiently inflammation after DSS withdrawal. In contrast with MCs recruited during inflammation-associated wound healing, MCs adjacent to transformed epithelial cells acquired a protumorigenic profile. In AOM- and DSS-treated WT mice, high MC density correlated with high-grade carcinomas. In similarly treated Kit(W-sh) mice, tumors were less extended and displayed lower histologic grade. Our results indicate that the interaction of MCs with epithelial cells is dependent on the inflammatory stage, and on the activation of the tissue repair program. Selective targeting of MCs for prevention or treatment of inflammation-associated colon cancer should be timely pondered to allow tissue repair at premalignant stages or to reduce aggressiveness at the tumor stage.

Healing activity of Casearia sylvestris Sw. in second-degree scald burns in rodents.

BackgroundEvery year thousands of people are victims of burns, mainly scald burns. Many of these victims have small size wounds and superficial partial thickness and do not seek specialized medical care. As in Brazil Casearia sylvestris Sw., popularly known as guaçatonga is widely used for its analgesic, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory activities, this study sought to evaluate the effects of its hydroalcoholic extract in healing process of burns injuries.MethodsThe obtained extract was validated applying a thin layer chromatography and sophisticated validation method using Bothrops jararacussu snake venom that is necrotic and inflammatory, and by which guaçatonga extract was able to neutralize the irreversible neuromuscular blockade induced by the venom. After induction of the scald injury, the animals were treated daily with saline solution spray; spray containing extract; biofilm; or biofilm impregnated with extract.ResultsSignificant differences were observed between the four groups studied considering: extension of the healing area, neovascularization, fibroblast proliferation, and epithelialization.ConclusionThe anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effects of C. sylvestris Sw. suggests a potential therapeutic benefit in the treatment of inflammatory conditions in second-degree scald burn injuries, as well as, counteracting against the in vitro paralysis induced by B. jararacussu venom.

Wound treatment on a diabetic rat model by a 808 nm diode laser

This paper presents a study on the effect of laser irradiation on wound healing. 808 nm diode laser was employed to facilitate the healing of impaired wounds in experimental diabetes using a rat model. Diabetes was induced in male rats by a streptozotocin injection with a dose of 60 mg kg−1. The disease was verified via measurement of the blood glucose level, which was set having 20 mmol L−1 stability. The rats were randomly distributed into two groups; one served as a control group and the other group was treated with the laser. The power density of the laser used was 0.5 W cm−2 and the wounds were treated for 8 d with the contact time of one second daily. The energy density used was 0.5 J cm−2. The healing progress was recorded via a digital camera. The recorded images were then transferred into Inspector Matrox and image J programs for the accurate measurement of the healing area. The tissue details of the wound were studied through histology. The wound contraction rate of laser therapy group was found to be two times faster than control group. This indicates that the 808 nm diode laser can accelerate the wound healing process.

Therapeutic effects of nanogel containing triterpenoids isolated from Ganoderma lucidum (GLT) using therapeutic ultrasound (TUS) for frostbite in rats

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of therapeutic ultrasound (TUS) on dermal delivery and therapeutic effect for frostbite of nanogel containing triterpenoids isolated from Ganoderma lucidum (GLT).Methods: GLT nanosuspension (GLT-NS) was prepared by high pressure homogenization and then suitably gelled to obtain GLT nanogel. The effects of TUS on GLT releasing from GLT nanogel and GLT permeation through the excised rat abdominal skin were evaluated. Moreover, a comparative study was also undertaken between different treatments of frostbite in rats: topical application of GLT nanogel (alone), TUS (alone) and GLT nanogel + TUS (plus).Results: In the in vitro release study, TUS has no influence on drug release from the nanogel. Results of the in vitro transdermal study indicated that TUS significantly increased the cumulative amount of GLT permeating across and into the skin and reduced the lag time in comparison with passive diffusion (without TUS). As evidenced by the significant increase of wound healing area and the improvement in frostbite, TUS applied with simultaneous treatment method could improve the therapeutic effect of the GLT nanogel for frostbite.Conclusion: The present study revealed that the TUS can be effectively used to actively enhance topical delivery of GLT from nanogel and improve the therapeutic effect for frostbite in rats.

Chemokine RANTES/CCL5 as an unknown link between wound healing in the jawbone and systemic disease: is prediction and tailored treatments in the horizon?

BackgroundThis research elucidates the question of whether common and widespread dental procedures (DP) like root filling (RF) and the removal of wisdom teeth (WT) contribute to chronic inflammation in the jawbone. Dentists, in carrying out these DP, can set off defective wound healing in the jawbone in ignorance of its connection to inflammatory mediators and the possibility of it being a hidden cause of chronic systemic diseases (SYD).Materials and methodsWe examined samples of the jawbone for seven cytokines by multiplex analysis in three groups of jawbone areas. In order to clarify systemic interrelations, specimens from 16 patients were analyzed in areas of former surgery in the retromolar wisdom tooth area; specimens from 16 patients were analyzed in the jawbone, apically of teeth with RF; and specimens from 19 patients were of the healthy jawbone. Each of the retromolar and the apical jawbone samples showed clinically fatty degenerated and osteonecrotic medullary changes.ResultsAll fatty necrotic and osteolytic jawbone (FDOJ) samples showed regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 as the only extremely overexpressed cytokines. FDOJ cohorts showed a 30-fold mean overexpression of RANTES and a 20-fold overexpressed level of FGF-2 when compared to healthy controls.ConclusionsAs RANTES is discussed in the literature as a possible contributor to inflammatory diseases, and though it might have oncogenic effects, we hypothesize that FDOJ in areas of improper and incomplete wound healing in the jawbone might act as hyperactivated signaling pathways, while serving as an unknown source of “silent inflammation”. Because of the wide range of RANTES in immune diseases, treating FDOJ can cover many potential prediction or prognosis of individual outcomes.

Projected finite elements for reaction–diffusion systems on stationary closed surfaces

In this paper we present a robust, efficient and accurate finite element method for solving reaction–diffusion systems on stationary spheroidal surfaces (these are surfaces which are deformations of the sphere such as ellipsoids, dumbbells, and heart-shaped surfaces) with potential applications in the areas of developmental biology, cancer research, wound healing, tissue regeneration, and cell motility among many others where such models are routinely used. Our method is inspired by the radially projected finite element method introduced in [39]. (Hence the name “projected” finite element method.) The advantages of the projected finite element method are that it is easy to implement and that it provides a conforming finite element discretization which is “logically” rectangular. To demonstrate the robustness, applicability and generality of this numerical method, we present solutions of reaction–diffusion systems on various spheroidal surfaces. We show that the method presented in this paper preserves positivity of the solutions of reaction–diffusion equations which is not generally true for Galerkin type methods. We conclude that surface geometry plays a pivotal role in pattern formation. For a fixed set of model parameter values, different surfaces give rise to different pattern generation sequences of either spots or stripes or a combination (observed as circular spot-stripe patterns). These results clearly demonstrate the need for detailed theoretical analytical studies to elucidate how surface geometry and curvature influence pattern formation on complex surfaces.

Anti-inflammatory and protective investigations on the effects of Theranekron® "an alcoholic extract of the Tarantula cubensis" on wound healing of peritoneal in the rat: an in vivo comparative study.

BackgroundThe present study sought to investigate the effects of Tarantula cubensis extract (TC; Theranekron®) on the histopathological scores of peritoneal wound healing after laparotomy in the rats.MethodsThis study was designed to investigate the effects of Theranekron on the peritoneal wound healing after wound creation, on days9, 14, 19, 24 and 29 post-injury in rats. Twenty-four mature Wister-albino male rats were randomly divided into two groups. In the experimental group, TC was repeatedly injected subcutaneously (SC) over the lesion 9, 14,19 and 24 days after laparotomy, whereas the control group received only normal saline by subcutaneous injection and then the animal groups were euthanized9, 14, 19, 24, and 29 days after wounding respectively by intravenous injections of pentobarbital (50 mg/kg). Finally, assessment of the peritoneal wound healing between the groups was carried out by histopathologic data and statistical tests as Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon W and ZResultsHistopathological examination indicated significant improvement in angiogenesis, re-epithelialization and less inflammatory response in comparison to control and also, revealed matured, compact and parallel deposition of collagen fibrils on day 29. So, at long term, treatment reduced the inflammation and increased the quality and rate of wound re- epithelialization compared to controls(P < 0.05). Furthermore, excluding the control group, rats exhibited the most pronounced effect on wound closure, with the statistically significant improvement in wound healing being seen at post-operative day 29. Moreover, collagen content on days 24 and 29 in the test group was found to be higher than in the healthy group. To warp up, treated groups had a significant increase in peritoneal wound healing area compared to the control group on all days (P < 0.05).ConclusionsOur results suggested that Theranekron have delivered a novel therapeutic route for wound treatment in clinical practice.Virtual slidesThe virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/2958770714954315.

The Legacy of Tübingen I (1964)

People who do not remember are like trees with their roots cut and rivers with their feeders dried up. While there may still be water and foliage, neither river nor tree can sustain life for much longer; soon both will be gone. Humans need to remember--at least now and then--where they come from and what their calling is so to be able to stay human and act accordingly. While the day-to-day demands tend to swallow us up until nothing distinctive is left, remembrance makes us reconnect with the roots of our being and with what we have set out for to accomplish. Once we forget who we are and what we stand for, we not only lose focus and orientation, we lose ourselves. The consultation known as "Tubingen I" was held fifty years ago on account of a joint invitation by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and hosted by the German Institute for Medical Missions at Tubingen, Germany. Tubingen I was neither the first nor the biggest get-together of people working in medical missions concerned about the future of such engagement and something more. Tubingen I, rather, was a consultation of experts tasked to advise the LWF and the WCC on how best to grapple with the challenges faced by church-related hospitals and health-care programs notably in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Yet, despite the secluded week-long deliberations of 19 (1) consultants, Tubingen I turned out to blaze the trail of a new understanding of the churches' involvement in health-care and healing, leading over time to significant practical changes. While the then-acting secretary of the World Council's Division of World Mission and Evangelism Charles H. Germany was confident that the "statements of the Tubingen Consultation will surely find an echo in the thought of Christian medical people throughout the world," (2) this came as a total surprise to most of the other participants. As Lesslie Newbigin stated in the Preface of the consultation report, In the course of the week spent together, certain common convictions were given to the group, and they felt bound to express them in a statement. Although this statement was not immediately published, the offices in Geneva began to receive very large numbers of enquiries about it. Many thousands of copies have been distributed in response to requests.... In a way which was not expected [the statement] seems to have spoken to the condition of many who were wrestling with the problems of medical missions, and ... with the healing ministry in one form or another. (3) In order to better understand the impact of and the legacy left by that very event, I will first situate Tubingen I within its historical and institutional context; second, analyze its finding; and conclude by looking at what happened to the insights gained in those days during the half century passed since. Tubingen I within the context of its time As previously stated, Tubingen I was not the first nor was it the biggest consultation addressing the challenges faced by medical missions and church-sponsored medical programs in the middle of the 20th century. Already in 1948, that is three years after World War II, the Church Missionary Society in London (CMS) published an elaborate statement on its medical policy (4) calling for the realignment of medical missions: "Realignment is designed to meet recurring need as circumstances alter.... Realignment may involve the use of new methods and the abandonment or subordination of old ones." (5) The new methods the statement envisioned were recognized as being "of great simplicity and of outmost importance." (6) They anticipated nearly everything of what some thirty years later would become known as Primary Health Care (PHC), namely: to focus on "preventive medicine," on "proper ... sanitation, working, and housing conditions," on "food supply, (7) on child welfare, (8) on the training of nurses, midwives, and auxiliaries, (9) on refresher courses for lay workers,1" on intersectoral and interdenominational cooperation, (11) on hospital outreach, (12) and, last but not least, on "the compilation of regional statistics and reports. …

The effect of simvastatin treatment on bone repair of femoral fracture in animal model

The aim of this research was to evaluate the fracture healing area in osteoporotic femur of female rats restrained by stainless steel wire by statin administration in two different doses (5 mg and 20 mg). Ninety female rats were divided into six groups (n = 15): SH, SH-5 mg, SH-20 mg, OVX, OVX-5 mg, and OVX-20 mg. The surgery consisted of the fracture of the left femur bone and stabilization by K-wire and the administration was restricted and weekly controlled in the drinking water. The euthanasia was conducted at three different moments, five animals per period: 7 d, 14 d, and 28 d. Densitometry, zymography, and histological analyses showed a significant difference between some groups. According to these findings, simvastatin promoted a positive action for bone repair, especially in the osteometabolic group treated with 20 mg of the drug.