The Neutral Self-Assembling Peptide Hydrogel SPG-178 as a Topical Hemostatic Agent

Conventional self-assembling peptide hydrogels are effective as topical hemostatic agents. However, there is a possibility to harm living tissues due to their low pH. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the efficacy of SPG-178, a neutral self-assembling peptide hydrogel, as a topical hemostatic agent. First, we measured the bleeding duration of incisions made on rat livers after application of SPG-178 (1.0% w/v), SPG-178 (1.5% w/v), RADA16 (1.0% w/v), and saline (n = 12/group). Second, we observed the bleeding surfaces by transmission electron microscopy immediately after hemostasis. Third, we measured the elastic and viscous responses (G′ and G″, respectively) of the hydrogels using a rheometer. Our results showed that bleeding duration was significantly shorter in the SPG-178 group than in the RADA16 group and that there were no significant differences in transmission electron microscopy findings between the groups. The greater the G′ value of a hydrogel, the shorter was the bleeding duration. We concluded that SPG-178 is more effective and has several advantages: it is non-biological, transparent, nonadherent, and neutral and can be sterilized by autoclaving

Benign Pigmented Schwannoma of the Great Omentum: Report of a Rare Case and Review of the Literature

Schwannoma in the abdomen is an uncommon neoplasm that occurs most frequently in the cranial and peripheral nerves; it is extremely rare in the great omentum and only 6 cases of schwannoma of the great omentum have been observed previously. We report the case of a schwannoma found in the great omentum of a 55-year-old man who was treated with laparoscopic surgery. Though it was difficult to diagnose preoperatively, the tumor showed malignant potential by rapidly increasing in size. Histologically it was configured by a well-encapsulated round mass measuring 30 × 18 × 15 mm in diameter. Immunohistochemically most of the neoplastic cells reacted moderately to NSE, NCAM and S-100 protein. We document the clinicopathological study of a schwannoma of the great omentum, followed by a review of the literature

Presepsin and renal function

Background : Presepsin (P-SEP) is a highly specific sepsis marker, and its fluctuation with respect to advanced renal impairment or sample agitation has not been fully investigated. We evaluated several renal function-corrected P-SEP indices to establish a simple index and its reference range. Methods : Blood samples for P-SEP measurement were collected with minimal agitation. P-SEP levels were measured using the rapid automated immunoanalyzer “PATHFAST.” This study included 85 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, 65 healthy volunteers, and 4 sepsis patients. Results : Patients stratified by estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) had significantly higher P-SEP levels for CKD stage G3, especially the advanced GFR stage. We evaluated presepsin / creatinine (P-SEP / CRE) and P-SEP / eGFR ratios as possible indices for renal function. The P-SEP / CRE ratio exhibited no increase correlating with the GFR stage and was identical in the normal and CKD groups ; P-SEP / eGFR decreased if GFR stage worsened. The P-SEP / CRE ratio became significantly higher in sepsis patients and was a more useful index with a reference range of 67–263. Conclusions : P-SEP levels were inversely correlated with renal function, indicating the necessity to consider the influence of renal impairment in CKD patients. The P-SEP / CRE ratio is helpful for sepsis diagnosis, even in patients with renal impairment