Extensive Self-Harm Scarring: Successful Treatment With Simultaneous Use of a Single Layer Skin Substitute and Split-Thickness Skin Graft

Objective: Deliberate self-harm resulting in extensive skin scarring is a difficult clinical problem and is commonly associated with physical and sexual abuse or a known history of mental illness. Immediate hospital attendance often addresses the acute wound and current psychological state of patients; however, ongoing regret of these resulting scars present a problem to the patient and clinician. Deliberate self-harm to the skin leaves permanent and socially unacceptable scars in anatomically conspicuous areas and recognizable to others. Therefore, the aim was to offer a treatment to change these scars to that of an unknown entity. Methods: Six patients with extensive linear scars covering most of the forearm received surgical reconstruction. Patients were female aged between 18 and 47 years. Each patient had a history of psychosocial problems, and each had undergone psychiatric treatment. After an in-depth consultation and a further clinical psychological assessment, each individual was deemed suitable for reconstructive surgery. Scars were excised from the forearm en block, removing the majority of the affected area. Simultaneous use of a single layer skin substitute was used, covered by an autologous split-thickness skin graft. Negative pressure wound therapy was then applied immediately for 2 weeks after surgery. Results: The original scars were successfully converted to a socially and cosmetically acceptable appearance. Postoperative infection due to negative pressure wound therapy failure in one patient was the only complication reported. Conclusions: This case series highlights the utility of an innovative treatment for patients with DSH scarring resulting in aesthetic, psychological, and functional benefits

Aplicaciones farmacológicas de las células madre

En la actualidad tanto las células madre como sus nuevas aplicaciones es algo que está continuamente en las noticias. Cada vez son más los campos en los que se están aplicando, ya que sus propiedades nos permiten regenerar células o tejidos. Las células madre están consideradas como la materia prima de nuestro organismo, a partir de la cual surgen las diferentes células, tejidos y órganos. El poder manipular estas células, extraerlas, o simplemente conservarlas, nos abre un gran espectro de posibilidades como puede ser el reconstituir el sistema inmunitario a través de trasplante de médula en pacientes oncológicos, hacer un trasplante de piel autólogo en caso de quemados, regenerar tejido infartado o, incluso, poder llegar a constituir la cura para enfermedades crónicas como son la diabetes o la artritis. En este trabajo de revisión bibliográfica, apenas se dan unas pequeñas pinceladas a todo el abanico de aplicaciones que actualmente se les atribuye a las células madre. Ya sean células adultas o multipotentes, células embrionarias o pluripotentes, células pluripotenciales inducidas o células mesenquimales, todas ellas constituyen un tratamiento que podría desbancar a muchos de los tratamientos farmacológicos actualmente existentes

Effect of the Nurse-Led Sexual Health Discharge Program on the Sexual Function of Older Patients Undergoing Transurethral Resection of Prostate: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Sexual dysfunction is a complication of transurethral resection of prostate (TURP). There is a lack of knowledge of the effect of discharge programs aiming at improving sexual function in older patients undergoing TURP. Objective: To investigate the effect of the nurse-led sexual health discharge program on the sexual function of older patients undergoing TURP. Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 80 older patients undergoing TURP in an urban area of Iran. Samples were selected using a convenience method and were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups (n = 40 in each group). The sexual health discharge program was conducted by a nurse in three sessions of 30-45 min for the intervention group. Sexual function scores were measured using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) Questionnaire, one and three months after the intervention. Results: The intervention significantly improved erectile function (p = 0.044), sexual desire (p = 0.01), satisfaction with sexual intercourse (p = 0.03), overall satisfaction with sexual function (p = 0.01), and the general score of sexual function (p = 0.038), three months after the program. In the first month after the intervention, except in sexual desire (p = 0.028), no statistically significant effect of the program was reported (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The nurse-led sexual health discharge program led to the improvement of the sexual function of older patients undergoing TURP over time. This program can be incorporated into routine discharge programs for the promotion of well-being in older patients

Determination of benzoapyrene in traditional, industrial and semi-industrial breads using a modified QuEChERS extraction, dispersive SPE and GC-MS and estimation of its dietary intake

A fast and simple modified QuEChERS extraction method was developed for determination of Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in 137 traditional (Sangak), semi-industrial (Sangak) and industrial bread samples using spiked calibration curves by GC/MS. Sample preparation includes extraction of BaP into acetone followed by cleanup with dispersive solid phase extraction. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were 0.3 ng/g and 0.5 ng/g, respectively. The values for recoveries and RSD were calculated as 110.5-119.85% and 1 ng/g. BaP content in all industrial samples was lower than LOQ. Assuming the consumption of bread in Tehran and Shiraz is limited to these kinds of breads, the daily intake of BaP in Tehran and Shiraz population through bread consumption was estimated to be 170.6 and 168.7 ng/day, respectively. This is the first report concerning contamination of bread samples with BaP in Iran

Validation of an Analytical Method for Determination of Benzoapyrene Bread using QuEChERS Method by GC-MS

A fast and simple modified QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, rugged and safe) extraction method based on spiked calibration curves and direct sample introduction was developed for determination of Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in bread by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry single quadrupole selected ion monitoring (GC/MS-SQ-SIM). Sample preparation includes: extraction of BaP into acetone followed by cleanup with dispersive solid phase extraction. The use of spiked samples for constructing the calibration curve substantially reduced adverse matrix-related effects. The average recovery of BaP at 6 concentration levels was in range of 95-120%. The method was proved to be reproducible with relative standard deviation less than 14.5% for all of the concentration levels. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were 0.3 ng/g and 0.5 ng/g, respectively. Correlation coefficient of 0.997 was obtained for spiked calibration standards over the concentration range of 0.5-20 ng/g. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a QuEChERS method is used for the analysis of BaP in breads. The developed method was used for determination of BaP in 29 traditional (Sangak) and industrial (Senan) bread samples collected from Tehran in 2014. These results showed that two Sangak samples were contaminated with BaP. Therefore, a comprehensive survey for monitoring of BaP in Sangak bread samples seems to be needed. This is the first report concerning contamination of bread samples with BaP in Iran. © 2016 by School of Pharmacy

The application of mixed waste organic output (MWOO) to soils: Effects on metal and metalloid concentrations, distribution, bioavailability and mobility in NSW soils

Mixed waste organic output (MWOO) has been used as a soil amendment for many years. However, concern regarding the introduction of contaminants to soil ecosystems can potentially restrict its use and there is growing need to fully understand the risk associated with utilizing this potentially beneficial resource, in particular with regard associated metal and metalloid contamination. The aim of this project was to examine the impact of MWOO application on concentration, distribution, bioavailability and mobility of seven targeted priority pollutants including As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn on different soils of NSW

Study on the electrochromic properties of polypyrrole layers doped with different dye molecules

Altres ajuts: Acord transformatiu CRUE-CSICThree dye molecules (Dye) of Acid Brilliant Scarlet 3R (AR18), Amido Naphthol Red G (AR1), Indigo Carmine (IC), as well as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as dopant agents were used for electrochemical synthesis of polypyrrole (PPy) layers onto indium doped tin oxide (ITO) coated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) electrode. The morphology, electrochemical, optical, and spectroelectrochemical properties of the layers were investigated. The study of the electrochemical behavior showed that the presence of each AR18, AR1, or IC with SDS, had shown an excellent synergistic effect on the electrochemical stability of layers. The morphological characterization of the PPy/dopant(s) using atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that the surface roughness in the PPy/IC-SDS layer was 39% and 32% less than the PPy/AR18-SDS and PPy/AR1-SDS, respectively. The absorption spectrum of PPy/dopant(s) in the UV-Vis-NIR wavelength range showed the formation of polaron and bipolaron in PPy chains. Also, the optical bandgap energy of PPy/dopant(s) decreased, and the fully doped state in all PPy films was observed. Spectroelectrochemical properties of the films showed that the simultaneous use of each dye molecule and the surfactant as dopant in PPy layers demonstrated proper electrochemical and optical stability and satisfactory electrochromic parameters. For example, the color contrast of PPy/AR18-SDS was 50%, while this parameter in control sample (PPy doped with lithium perchlorate) was 21%. Also, the cathodic and anodic coloration efficiency showed a 6-fold increase in PPy/Dye-SDS compared to PPy/ClO . In general, according to the results it is likely that by increasing the number of anion groups in the dye molecules and decreasing their dimensions as dopant agents, the electrochemical and electrochromic properties of the resultant layer would be improved

Evaluation of the Effects of Photobiomodulation on Partial Osteotomy in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes in Rats

Objective: We examined the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) on stereological parameters, and gene expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteocalcin, and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) in repairing tissue of tibial bone defect in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes mellitus (TIDM) in rats during catabolic response of fracture healing. Background data: There were conflicting results regarding the efficacy of PBM on bone healing process in healthy and diabetic animals. Materials and methods: Forty-eight rats have been distributed into four groups: group 1 (healthy control, no TIDM and no PBM), group 2 (healthy test, no TIDM and PBM), group 3 (diabetic control, TIDM and no PBM), and group 4 (diabetic test, no TIDM and PBM). TIDM was induced in the groups 3 and 4. A partial bone defect in tibia was made in all groups. The bone defects of groups second and fourth were irradiated by a laser (890 nm, 80 Hz, 1.5 J/cm2 ). Thirty days after the surgery, all bone defects were extracted and were submitted to stereological examination and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: PBM significantly increased volumes of total callus, total bone, bone marrow, trabecular bone, and cortical bone, and the numbers of osteocytes and osteoblasts of callus in TIDM rats compared to those of callus in diabetic control. In addition, TIDM increased RUNX2, and osteocalcin in callus of tibial bone defect compared to healthy group. PBM significantly decreased osteocalcin gene expression in TIDM rats. Conclusions: PBM significantly increased many stereological parameters of bone repair in an STZ-induced TIDM during catabolic response of fracture healing. Further RT-PCR test demonstrated that bone repair was modulated in diabetic rats during catabolic response of fracture healing by significant increase in mRNA expression of RUNX2, and osteocalcin compared to healthy control rats. PBM also decreased osteocalcin mRNA expression in TIDM rats

Effect of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs on bone structure and strength in psoriatic arthritis patients

Objectives To address whether the use of methotrexate (MTX) and biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) impacts bone structure and biomechanical properties in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Methods This is a cross-sectional study in PsA patients receiving no DMARDs, MTX, or bDMARDs. Volumetric bone mineral densities (vBMDs), microstructural parameters, and biomechanical properties (stiffness/failure load) were determined by high-resolution peripheral quantitative CT and micro-finite element analysis in the respective groups. Bone parameters were compared between PsA patients with no DMARDs and those receiving any DMARDs, MTX, or bDMARDs, respectively. Results One hundred sixty-five PsA patients were analyzed, 79 received no DMARDs, 86 received DMARDs, of them 52 bDMARDs (TNF, IL-17- or IL-12/23 inhibitors) and 34 MTX. Groups were balanced for age, sex, comorbidities, functional index, and bone-active therapy, while disease duration was longest in the bDMARD group (7.8 ± 7.4 years), followed by the MTX group (4.6 ± 7.4) and the no-DMARD group (2.9 ± 5.2). No difference in bone parameters was found between the no-DMARD group and the MTX group. In contrast, the bDMARD group revealed significantly higher total (p = 0.001) and trabecular vBMD (p = 0.005) as well as failure load (p = 0.012) and stiffness (p = 0.012). In regression models, age and bDMARDs influenced total vBMD, while age, sex, and bDMARDs influenced failure load and stiffness. Conclusion Despite longer disease duration, bDMARD-treated PsA patients benefit from higher bone mass and better bone strength than PsA patients receiving MTX or no DMARDs. These data support the concept of better control of PsA-related bone disease by bDMARDs