Round Wounds Research Articles

Ascorbic Acid Promotes the Wound Healing Effect of the Mesenchymal Stem Cells

우리는 간단한 찰과상이 생겼을 때 대수롭지 않게 여기며 시간이 지남에 따라 자연스레 아무는 것을 경험하게 된다. 이때 피부조직을 재생시켜주는 역할을 하는 것이 바로 줄기세포이다. 줄기세포는 우리 몸 모든 곳에 존재하며 필요에 따라 계속해서 세포를 만들어내기 때문에 우리 몸속에서는 끊임없이 재생이 이루어지고 있는 것이다. 본 연구에서는 생쥐의 등 부위에 원형상처 2개를 만들고, 골수로부터 분리한 성체줄기세포를 상처 부위에 주사하고 비타민-C를 경구투여로 병행투여한 후 치료 효과가 촉진되는지 확인하였다. 줄기세포는 손상부위에 들어가면 염증환경, 활성산소, 영양분과 산소의 부족 등 의 원인으로 오래 살 수 없다는 한계가 있다. 따라서 줄기세포가 상처부위에서 오래 살고 증식할 수 있도록 도와주는 항염증, 항균, 항산화 물질이 필요하므로 강력한 항산화물질인 비타민-C를 이용하였다. 1차 실험에서는 상처부위를 보호하는데 사용할 수 있는 시어버터의 농도가 10%라는 사실을 알아냈고, 2차 실험에서는 비타민-C의 투여량이 마리당 2.5 mg~10 mg일 때 투여용량에 비례하여 상처치료가 촉진된다는 사실을 알아냈다. 3~4차실험에서는 줄기세포와 비타민-C의 병행투여효과를 알아보기 위해 줄기세포 50만개를 상처부위에 투여하고 동시에 비타민-C를 주2회 2.5 ~ 10 mg/마리씩 1주일간 경구 투여하거나 줄기세포만 단독투여한 후 상처크기변화를 비교하였다. 실험결과 줄기세포만 상처부위에 투여하였을 때 보다 줄기세포와 비타민-C를 병행 투여하면 비타민-C의 투여용량이 2.5 mg ~ 10 mg범위일 때 7일 후 투여용량에 비례하여 첫날 상처크기의 15%까지 작아진 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 그리고 비타민-C가 줄기세포에 직접적인 영향을 미치는지 알아보기 위해 줄기세포의 콜로니 증식실험을 실시하였다. 비타민-C를 0.5 ~ 50 μg/ml의 농도범위에서 10배 간격으로 배양중인 줄기세포에 투여해본 결과 콜로니수가 비타민-C를 투여하지 않은 대조군의 6.3개에 비해 50 μg/ml에서 65개로 10배 이상 크게 증가하였다. 이 같은 실험결과들을 통해 비타민-C가 줄기세포에 직접적인 도움을 주어 줄기세포의 상처치료효과를 촉진시킬 수 있다는 사실을 확인할 수 있었다.When we have a simple abrasion, we have experience it heals naturally as time goes by. At this time, stem cells play a role in regenerating skin tissue. Stem cells are present in all parts of our body, and they are constantly regenerating in our bodies. In this study, we made two round wounds on the back of the mice, and injected adult stem cells isolated from the bone marrow. Then we examined whether the therapeutic effect was promoted after oral administration of vitamin-C. Stem cells have some limitation in wound healing because they can not survive long due to inflammatory conditions, reactive oxygen species environment, lack of nutrients and oxygen in damaged area. Therefore, shea butter and vitamin-C were considered as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant substances to help stem cells in wound areas. In the first experiment, we found that concentration of shea butter to protect the wound was 10%. In the second experiment, we found effective concentration range of vitamin-C is 2.5 mg to 10 mg per mouse. In the 3rd and 4th experiments, 500,000 stem cells were injected to the wound area with oral administration of vitamin-C (2 times per week or everyday for 2 weeks) in order to examine the wound healing effect of the stem cells. Experimental results showed that the size of the wound was smaller when stem cells were injected to the wound than when the stem cells were not administered. In addition, the wound size was reduced to 15% of the initial wound when stem cells and vitamin-C (10 mg/mouse) were administered together. To examine whether vitamin-C has a direct effect on stem cells, colony forming assay of stem cells was performed. Vitamin-C was added to the culture medium at concentration of 0.5 to 50 ug/ml. As a result, when the cells were cultured at a concentration of 50 ug/ml of vitamin-C, the number of colonies was increased to more than 10 times than that of the control group. These results demonstrate that vitamin-C can directly affect stem cells and then promote wound healing effects of stem cells.

Fabrication of biopolymer based nanocomposite wound dressing: evaluation of wound healing properties and wound microbial load.

The aim of this study is to introduce natural-based polymers, chitosan and starch, to design a remedial nanocomposite, comprising of cerium oxide nanoparticles and silver nanoparticles, to investigate their effects in accelerating wound healing and in wound microbial load. Cerium oxide nanoparticles synthesized in starch solution added to the colloidal dispersion of synthesized silver nanoparticles in chitosan to make a three-component nanomaterial. Mice were anaesthetized and two parallel full-thickness round wounds were excised under aseptic conditions with the help of sterile dermal biopsy punch. Furthermore, effects of silver-chitosan and silver-cerium-chitosan nanocomposite had evaluated on rate of wound closure and collagen density and on microbial load of wound in full-thickness model. Results showed that both silver chitosan and silver-cerium-chitosan had significant impact on acceleration of wound closure and collagen content and on reduction of wound microbial load in comparison with control group, which was, received no treatments. However, the silver-cerium-chitosan nanocomposite is more potent than silver-chitosan group and control group in wound closure. The wound healing effects of silver-cerium-chitosan nanocomposite are due to unique features of its three components and this nanocomposite promises impressive remedies for clinical application.

Effects of Huanglian ointment on wound healing of mice with full-thickness skin defect and the related mechanism

Objective: To observe the effects of Huanglian ointment on wound healing of mice with full-thickness skin defect, and to explore the related mechanism. Methods: Thirty male C57BL/6J mice were divided into Huanglian ointment group and vehicle group according to the random number table after round wounds of full-thickness skin defect with diameter of 7.5 mm were inflicted on the back of each mouse, with 15 mice in each group. Wounds of mice in Huanglian ointment group and vehicle group were treated with Huanglian ointment and vehicle respectively from post injury day (PID) 1 on, 2 times each day. Five mice from each group were selected to observe wound changes on PID 0, 3, 7, 10, and 14, and wound healing rates were calculated. Five mice out of the 10 mice that hadn't been used for general observation in each group were sacrificed on PID 3 and 7 respectively, and 5 mice after being used for general observation in each group were sacrificed on PID 14. Wound and skin tissue within 2 mm from the edge of wound was collected. Histologic scoring was conducted based on the histomorphological observation with HE staining. The expression of double positive cells of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and Ki-67 (myofibroblast) in tissue of wounds of mice was observed by immunofluorescence staining. Protein expressions of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and collagen in tissue of wounds of mice were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were processed with analysis of variance for repeated measurement, analysis of variance of factorial design, t test of two independent samples, one-way analysis of variance, and Bonferronni test or correction. Results: (1) Wounds of mice in two groups were red and swollen on PID 0, while they were neither red nor swollen with scabs on PID 3 and 7. On PID 10, woundsof mice in Huanglian ointment group contracted obviously, while the contracted wounds of mice in vehicle group were smaller than those in Huanglian ointment group. On PID 14, wounds of most mice in Huanglian ointment group were healed, while wounds of some mice in vehicle group failed to heal. Wound healing rates of mice in two groups were close on PID 3 and 7 (with t values respectively 0.64 and 1.90, P values above 0.05). Wound healing rates of mice in Huanglian ointment group on PID 10 and 14 were (76±7)% and (93±5)% respectively, significantly higher than those of vehicle group [(48±9)% and (68±11)%, with t values respectively 7.44 and 3.89, P values below 0.01]. Wound healing rates of mice in two groups on PID 7, 10, and 14 were significantly higher than those on the previous time points of the same group (with P values below 0.01). (2) Histologic scores of wounds of mice in two groups were close on PID 3 (t=-0.76, P>0.05). Histologic scores of wounds of mice in Huanglian ointment group on PID 7 and 14 were (7.0±1.6) and (11.6±2.1) points respectively, significantly higher than those of vehicle group [(4.2±1.3) and (7.2±1.3) points, with t values respectively 1.96 and 2.50, P 0.05). The protein expression of TGF-β in tissue of wounds of mice in Huanglian ointment group on PID 7 was significantly higher than that on PID 3 or 14 (with P values below 0.01). Protein expressions of TGF-β in tissue of wounds of mice in vehicle group on PID 7 and 14 were significantly higher than those on the previous time points (with P values below 0.05). Protein expressions of collagen in tissue of wounds of mice in two groups were close on PID 3 (t=1.99, P>0.05). Protein expressions of collagen in tissue of wounds of mice in Huanglian ointment on PID 7 and 14 were (47±10) and (70±14) ng/mL respectively, significantly higher than those of vehicle group [(34±10) and (42±12) ng/mL, with t values respectively 3.15 and 3.52, P<0.05 or P<0.01]. Protein expressions of collagen in tissue of wounds of mice in two groups on PID 7 and 14 were significantly higher than those on the previous time points of the same group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusions: Huanglian ointment can promote wound healing of full-thickness skin defect of mice through increasing production of myofibroblasts and protein expressions of TGF-β and collagen.

Role of the autologous mesenchymal stem cells compared with platelet rich plasma on cicatrization of cutaneous wounds in diabetic mice

Abstract: Chronic cutaneous lesions affect 15% of diabetic human patients and represent a risk 15 to 46 times larger of limb amputations compared to people with normal glycemia. It is assumed that half of these amputations could be prevented by early treatment of wounds, for example, with proper cell therapy. Objectives: In this study, the action of the autologous transplant of mesenchymal stem-cells (MSC) was evaluated compared to the treatment with autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) in the cicatrization of cutaneous lesions induced in diabetic mice. These animals were previously treated with streptozootocin to induce diabetes mellitus and round wounds of 1.5cm in diameter were created in the posterior region. Diameters of the wounds and healing time were evaluated during 30 days and the results were submitted to variance analysis and Tukey's test average. It was noticed that the animals treated with MSC presented a more accelerated cicatrization of the cutaneous lesion than the animals treated with PRP. However, the treatment with PRP presented better results than just the daily asepsis of the lesions with saline or covering them with semi-permeable bandage. Besides, the use of semi-permeable bandage kept the cutaneous lesions of diabetic mice did not interfere negatively with cicatrization, proved to be harmless to use, but kept the cutaneous lesions more hydrated than the ones exposed to the environment.

Effects of canister shot in the Civil War: skull of a soldier of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteers.

This skull (Fig. 1) was discovered in 1876 on Morris Island, South Carolina, near the site of Battery Wagner, a powerful fort that had protected the entrance to Charleston Harbor during the Civil War. The skull belonged to a man of African descent— most likely a soldier of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteers, which led the assault on Wagner on the night of July 18, 1863. Of approximately 600 men of the 54th who made the charge, 256 were killed, wounded, or missing. The 54th Massachusetts Volunteers was not the first black regiment in the Civil War, nor was it the first to fight. However, it was the first black regiment raised entirely of free men enrolled on the same terms as white troops and the first to engage in a major action well covered by the national press. Its gallant conduct in the doomed assault on Battery Wagner on July 18, 1863, electrified the nation and proved once and for all that the black man, given the opportunity, would fight as well as any white man. From the size of the wound, and what appear to be remains of the projectile itself, it can be surmised what type of munition hit this man: a canister ball from one of two field howitzers known to have been used in the repulse of that attack. Canister balls were made of iron; for the 6-lb gun, 1.17 inch in diameter, for the 12-lb field howitzer, 1.08 inch. The entry wound on the skull is approximately 1.18 inches across. Battery Wagner had no 6-lb guns, but did have two 12-lb field howitzers. In this case, it can be seen that a single canister ball has created a nearly round entry wound and a larger and more irregular fracture on the opposite side of the skull. Radiating fractures from the entrance and exit can be seen crossing the temporal, parietal, and frontal bones. The ball entered from rear left, traveled back to front and upwards,

The effects of Chuanglingye decoction on angiogenesis and wound healing

Objective To evaluate the effects of Chuanglingye decoction on angiogenesis and wound healing. Methods With a series of dosages of Chuanglingye decoction, their optimal effects of angiogenesis were searched for through the chicken embryo allantois membrane model（CAM）. The vascular endothelial cell proliferation experiment （MTT） and the migration assay were used for the detection of effects. The gauze loading with Chuanglingye decoction of 0.2 ml as the experimental group and with saline of 0.2ml as the control group were applied on the total skin mechanical round wound of 1.5cm diameter and changed every other day. The sizes of area were detected on the day of 0,3,7,14 and 28 as well as the scores of inflammatory response, contains of TNF-αand Il-6 were detected on the day of 3 and 7. Results The CAM experiments showed that the angiogenic effects of 0.2 ml and 0.3 ml dosage of the Chuanglingye group were significantly lower than those of the control group（P〈0.05）. The 0.2 ml dosage of Chuanglingye decoction was chosen for the further experiment. The HUVEC proliferation rate of the experimental group decreased 21%, as compared with the results of control group. The cell migration movement of 12 hours, 24 hours in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group. For theanimal experiments, the area sizes of the wound were＆nbsp;similar in the experimental and control group without any significant differences. The scores of inflammatory response and contains of TNF-α（768±107）ng/L,（380±47）ng/L and Il-6（664±133）ng/L,（363±43）ng/L in the experimental group were significant decreased than those of the control group on the day of 3（958± 140）ng/L,（2215±314）ng/Land 7（512±62）ng/L,（1562±174）ng/L. Conclusion It showed that Chuanglingye decoction had negative effects on vascular endothelial cell migration and proliferation and thus inhibiting angiogenesis. These effects did not infer the process of the wound healing due to its ameliorating the inflammatory response which may be a help to wound healing. Key words: Chuanglingye decoction; Angiogenesis; CAM; HUVECs; Wound healing

CANTHARANTHUS ROSEUS LEAF EXTRACT ACCELERATES HEALING OF WOUND WISTAR RAT

Cantharantus roseus (C. roseus) is a medical plant that has been used to treat various diseases. This study was carried to determine C. roseus leaf extract able to acclerate wound healing in Wistar rat. Full skin-tickness round wounds were created on the back of the rats. Wound healing was evaluated after treated with 15% of a mixture of leaf extract of C. roseus and vaseline. The rats were divided into two groups, each group consist of 16 rats. Wound healing was assesed in five and fifteen days after treatment by measuring wound area, wound closure, and counting the new capillary vessel number (angiogenesis). The result of the study indicated that extract of C. roseus leaf accelerates the wound healing in Wistar rat. Coverage rate of wound is faster on treated group than control group (p&lt;0.05). Wound closure and angiogenesis in early wound healing were higher in treated group than control group (p&lt;0.05). These results suggested that the first phase of wound healing was shortened, and the proliferative and maturation phases were advanced by methanol extract of C. roseus leaf. Therefore, it can be concluded that C. roseus could be potential to help in topical management of wound healing.

Effect of activated autologous monocytes/macrophages on wound healing in a rodent model of experimental diabetes

AimWe aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the application of activated autologous monocytes/macrophages (Mo/Mp) on wound healing in diabetic rats. MethodsSixty male SD rats were equally divided into the following: control group (normal, nondiabetic), PBS-treated diabetic group, and tumor necrotic factor alpha (TNF-α) plus interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-stimulated or unstimulated Mo/Mp-treated diabetic group. Full-thickness round wounds (1cm×1cm) were created in the right hind foot of rats and the wounds were treated with PBS or Mo/Mp on day 1 after injury. In the following 14 days, the percentage of wound contraction was measured, histologic examination was performed with hematoxylin and eosin staining, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the wound was evaluated by Western blot analysis. ResultsDiabetic rats exhibited impaired wound healing with delayed angiogenesis and VEGF expression. The early application of TNF-α plus IFN-γ-stimulated autologous Mo/Mp to diabetic wounds significantly improved the delayed wound healing through the stimulation of angiogenesis and re-epithelization, as well as restoring the defect in VEGF expression. ConclusionsMo/Mp activated by TNF-α and IFN-γ promotes diabetic wound healing and normalizes the defect in VEGF regulation associated with diabetes-induced skin-repair disorders.

Potential of Oncostatin M to accelerate diabetic wound healing

Oncostatin M (OSM) is a multifunctional cytokine found in a variety of pathologic conditions, which leads to excessive collagen deposition. Current studies demonstrate that OSM is also a mitogen for fibroblasts and has an anti-inflammatory action. It was therefore hypothesised that OSM may play an important role in healing of chronic wounds that usually involve decreased fibroblast function and persist in the inflammatory stage for a long time. In a previous in vitro study, the authors showed that OSM increased wound healing activities of diabetic dermal fibroblasts. However, wound healing in vivo is a complex process involving multiple factors. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of OSM on diabetic wound healing in vivo. Five diabetic mice were used in this study. Four full-thickness round wounds were created on the back of each mouse (total 20 wounds). OSM was applied on the two left-side wounds (n = 10) and phosphate-buffered saline was applied on the two right-side wounds (n = 10). After 10 days, unhealed wound areas of the OSM and control groups were compared using the stereoimage optical topometer system. Also, epithelialisation, wound contraction and reduction in wound volume in each group were compared. The OSM-treated group showed superior results in all of the tested parameters. In particular, the unhealed wound area and the reduction in wound volume demonstrated statistically significant differences (P < 0·05). The results of this study indicate that topical application of OSM may have the potential to accelerate healing of diabetic wounds.

Dual modes of motility at the leading edge of migrating epithelial cell sheets

Purse-string healing is driven by contraction of actin/myosin cables that span cells at wound edges, and it is the predominant mode of closing small round wounds in embryonic and some adult epithelia. Wounds can also heal by cell crawling, and my colleagues and I have shown previously that the presence of unconstrained, straight edges in sheets of epithelial cells is a sufficient signal to induce healing by crawling. Here, it is reported that the presence of highly concave edges, which are free or physically constrained by an inert material (agarose), is sufficient to induce formation of purse strings. It was determined that neither of the two types of healing required cell damage or other potential stimuli by using the particularly gentle procedure of introducing gaps by digesting agarose blocks imbedded in the cell sheets. Movement by crawling depends on signaling by the EGF receptor (EGFR); however, this was not required for purse-string contraction. A migrating epithelial cell sheet usually produces finger-like projections of crawling cells. The cells between fingers contain continuous actin cables, which were also determined to contain myosin IIA and exhibit additional characteristics of purse strings. When crawling was blocked by inhibition of EGFR signaling, the concave regions continued to move, suggesting that both mechanisms contribute to propel the sheets forward. Wounding epithelial cell sheets causes activation of the EGFR, which triggers movement by crawling. The EGFR was found to be activated only at straight and convex edges, which explains how both types of movement can coexist at leading epithelial edges.

Histological Evaluation of the Healing Properties of Dead Sea Black Mud on Full-thickness Excision Cutaneous Wounds in BALB/c Mice

Dead Sea (DS) mud and salts are known for their therapeutic and cosmetic properties. Previous studies confirmed their efficacy in treating the more frequent skin diseases such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the wound healing potential of natural and compounded skin-care product (facial mask) of DS black mud in BALB/c mice. Two full-thickness excision round wounds were created on the dorsum region of mouse. Each wound of mice test group were treated topically with 50 microL of 0.1% natural or compounded DS black mud or 50 microL of 0.2% nitrofurazone once a day for 2 consecutive days and the mice control group were left untreated. Healing was assessed by measuring the granulation tissue weight and percentage of wound contraction at day 3, 7, 14 and 21 after wounding. In addition to period of epithelialization and histological evaluation of the regenerated wound area at day 7 and 14 after wounding. Results revealed that DS black mud accelerate wound healing process by enhancing granulation, wound contraction, epithelialization, angiogenesis and collagen deposition. This may be due to high content of minerals and trace elements that possibly act as anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant with enhancement effect on cell proliferation, migration and fibroblast cellular activity. However, the healing property of DS black mud compounded in skin-care product was greater than that of natural black mud, when compared to reference drug, nitrofurazone.

The linear excisional wound: an improved model for human ex vivo wound epithelialization studies

Wound healing is a complex process that involves multiple intercellular and intracellular processes and extracellular interactions. Explanted human skin has been used as a model for the re-epithelialization phase of human wound healing. The currently used standard technique uses a circular punch biopsy tool to make the initial wound. Despite its wide use, the geometry of round wounds makes it difficult to measure them reliably. Our group has designed a linear wounding tool, and compared the variability in ex vivo human linear and circular wounds. An F test for differences in variances demonstrated that the linear wounds provided a population of wound size measurements that was 50% less variable than that obtained from a group of matched circular wounds. This reduction in variability would provide substantial advantages for the linear wound technique over the circular wound punch technique, by reducing the sample sizes required for comparative studies of factors that alter healing. This linear wounding tool thus provides a method for wounding that is standardized, provides minimal error in wound gap measurements, and is easily reproducible. We demonstrate its utility in an ex vivo model for the controlled investigation of human skin wounds.

Healing potential of Rosmarinus officinalis L. on full-thickness excision cutaneous wounds in alloxan-induced-diabetic BALB/c mice

Aim of the study Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) used in Jordanian folk medicine for wound management and treatment. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the healing efficacy of both aqueous extract and essential oil of the aerial parts on alloxan-induced diabetic BALB/c mice. Materials and methods Two full-thickness round wounds were created in the dorsal area of each mouse. Animals were divided into four groups of twenty mice each: untreated normal, untreated diabetic, aqueous extract- (intraperitoneal injection of 0.2 ml at a dose of 10% for 3 days) and essential oil-treated diabetic mice (topical application of 25 μl/excision wound, twice a day for 3 days). For 15 days, the wounds were visually observed; blood glucose level, body weight, regenerated granulation tissue weight and the percentage of wound contraction were measured. On days 6 and 15 after wounding, the animals were sacrificed and the histology of wound area was examined. Results Significant positive differences ( p < 0.01) between treated and control groups were observed at different aspects of diabetic wound healing process. Reduced inflammation and enhanced wound contraction, re-epithelialization, regeneration of granulation tissue, angiogenesis and collagen deposition were detected in the treated wounds. Conclusions Results indicated that the essential oil of Rosmarinus officinalis was the most active in healing diabetic wounds and provide a scientific evidence for the traditional use of this herb in wound treatment. However, further scientific verification is required to confirm and assess the range of wound healing potential of essential oils of Rosemary chemotypes.

Effects of equal daily doses delivered by different power densities of low-level laser therapy at 670 nm on open skin wound healing in normal and corticosteroid-treated rats: a brief report

The optimal parameters for low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for wound healing are still open to discussion. Hence, our study was aimed at comparing the effects of different power densities of LLLT at 670 nm in rats. Four round full-thickness skin wounds were placed on the backs of 16 rats which were divided into two groups (non-steroid and steroid-treated). Three wounds were stimulated daily with a diode laser (daily dose 5 J/cm(2)) at different power densities (5, 15 and 40 mW/cm(2), respectively), and the fourth wound served as a control. Six days after surgery all animals were killed and samples removed for histological evaluation. Significant acceleration of fibroblast proliferation and new vessel formation was observed in wounds treated at the selected power densities. No significant differences were found in corticosteroid-treated rats. In conclusion, LLLT with the methodology used improved wound healing in non-steroid rats, but was not effective after corticosteroid-treatment.

First Report of Acanthocheilonema spirocauda in the Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus)

The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) is one of the world's most endangered marine mammals. The largest population is located mainly throughout the Aegean and Ionian islands and along the coastline of southern continental Greece. We report the findings of a necropsy and discuss their potential importance to the conservation of the species. The adult female monk seal appeared to be in a good nutritional state. The main necropsy findings were injuries consistent with a violent and sudden death, including three round wounds on the ventral surface of the body and several hematomas, as well as a decomposing male fetus in the uterus. Two nematodes were found in the right ventricle of the heart; no abnormalities were observed in the lungs, pulmonary vessels, or heart. The nematodes were identified as Acanthocheilonema spirocauda. This is the first report of infection of the Mediterranean monk seal with A. spirocauda, even though this is the most common heartworm found in most pinnipeds worldwide. This parasite should be considered in health care monitoring projects of this endangered species.

Comparison of antibacterial absorbable suture vs traditional ordinary suture on skin closure in cervical spondylosis anterior surgery

Objective To evaluate the effect of antibacterial absorbable suture vs traditional ordi-nary suture on skin closure in cervical spondylosis anterior surgery. Methods The duration of suturing,fee of suture, infection of incisional wound, disruption of wound, liquification of fat round wound, hospital stay, scarring were compared were compared in 35 patients each group undergoing cervical spondylosis anterior surgery, and the cost-effectiveness was analyzed by decision tree. Results There were statistical differences between the two groups in the duration of suturing, fee of suture, hospital stay and scarring (P<0.05). Taking excellence as the end of treatment,the cost of antibacterial absorbable suture and ordinary suture ev-ery patient was 639.1 yuan and 1117.7 yuan, respectively. Conclusion Antibacterial absorbable suture is a better scheme for clinical effects and cost-effectiveness on skin closure in cervical spondylosis anterior surgery. Key words: Suture; Antibacterial; Surgery; Cost-effectiveness

Involvement of aquaporin-1 in gastric epithelial cell migration during wound repair

We examined the expression of aquaporin (AQP)-1 in monolayers of the rat gastric epithelial cell line RGM1 and investigated the roles AQP1 plays in the epithelial restitution during wound healing. A round wound of constant size was produced in the center of a confluent cell monolayer using a rotating silicon tip. The RGM1 cells expressed AQP1 mRNA. Hg 2+ (HgCl 2), an inhibitor of AQPs, suppressed cell migration during wound repair in a concentration-dependent manner. Likewise, cell migration was also impaired in cells in which AQP1 was knocked down by RNA interference, resulting in a marked delay of wound healing. The AQP1 knockdown RGM1 cells showed a decrease in the formation of membrane protrusions (lamellipodia) at the leading edge of the wound as compared with control RGM1 cells. These results suggest for the first time that AQP1 plays a crucial role in gastric epithelial cell migration during wound healing.

Influence of Aloe Vera Gel on Dermal Wound Healing Process in Rat

In this topical study the influence of Aloe Vera, on the wound healing process was investigated in 63 male rats with microscopic and cell count methods. On the day of surgery a round wound, of diameter 20 mm, was created on the back of rats necks under sterile conditions. The surgery day was determined as day zero (0). Then the rats were divided randomly into control and experimental groups 1 and 2. Animals in each group were sub-divided to three smaller groups, investigated every 4, 7, and 14 days. From day 0, wound surfaces were covered with gel once daily in experimental group 1 and twice daily, for 12 h interval, in experimental group 2. Each rat received 30 g of the gel. The wound surface and healing were assessed on days 4, 7, and 14, and then a sample from the wound was prepared and investigated microscopically. The results show that the number of neutrophil, macrophage, and fibroblast cells and the wound thickness in the control group were statistically different from the experimental groups. It was found that the wound diameter thickness in the experimental group was greatly lower due to twice administration of gel and the power of wound healing was more than other groups.

Impairment by activation of TRPA1 of gastric epithelial restitution in a wound model using RGM1 cell monolayer

We examined the influence of TRPA1 on the epithelial restitution using a rat gastric epithelial cell line RGM1 monolayer. RGM1 cells were inoculated in 24-well plates cultured for 24 hr, and then starved for 24 hr in a culture medium at 37 degrees C under 5 % CO(2) in air. After obtaining a confluent RGM1 cell monolayer, a round artificial wound of constant size was induced in the center of the cell monolayer using a pencil-type mixer with a rotating silicon tip. The repair process was monitored by quantitatively measuring the area of the epithelial wound (cell-free area). Immediately after the wound induction, cells at the edge of wound started to form lamellipodia, migrating toward the center of wound, and by so doing the cell-free area was decreased over time. The addition of icilin, the TRPA1 agonist, suppressed the recovery of the epithelial wound in a concentration-dependent manner. Likewise, another TRPA1 agonist, ally isothiocyanate, also significantly inhibited the wound repair. In addition, the recovery of the epithelial wound was potently inhibited when the ambient temperature was lowered to 17 degrees C, the threshold temperature where TRPA1 is known to be activated. By contrast, the wound healing was not affected by either menthol, the TRPM8 agonist, or capsaicin, the TRPV1 agonist. These results showed for the first time that the activation of TRPA1 inhibited the repair of the epithelial wound in the stomach, probably by the suppression of cell migration, and suggested the involvement of TRPA1 in the mechanism of gastric epithelial restitution.

Pseudo-gunshot wound injury from perforating rib fracture: a cautionary case report

We report a case of a young woman who was found unresponsive in a garbage dumpster beneath the balcony of her 9th floor apartment residence. Initial investigations by the police and coroner raised concerns regarding the circumstances of the death. Initial examination of the body, revealed a single penetrating injury on the chest with a wide abrasion collar--the injury pattern was similar to a gunshot entry wound or a shored exit wound. Autopsy revealed the abraded skin perforation along with major chest injuries with bruising of the chest wall, extensive comminuted rib fractures, and pleural and lung lacerations. These injuries were consistent with the effects of a fatal descent from height. The penetrating injury with the abrasion collar was due to a fractured end of a rib protruding through the skin mimicking a gunshot wound. The involvement of a firearm was further excluded by postmortem radiography (no projectile in situ), detailed external examination of the clothing, and scene investigation revealing that the decedent had descended from a balcony into the dumpster. This case underscores the concept that all round penetrating wounds with abrasion collars are not gunshot injuries.