Influence of oxidative stress and effect of topical application of α-tocopherol on wound healing in a diabetic animal model

Background: Understanding mechanisms involved in development of diabetes mellitus-associated ulcers is vital to pioneering alternative care approaches. This study aimed to establish effects of oxidative stress (OS) and α-tocopherol’s effect on diabetic wound healing.Methods: Using two animal experimental designs surgical wounds were created in 4 groups of 9-week-old diabetic and non-diabetic rats. OS was induced through antioxidant enzyme inhibition. In experiment-1 wounds were allowed to heal. In experiment-2 varying concentrations of topical α-tocopherol and/or the ointment-base were administered to diabetic animal wounds. Intermittent comparison of wound morphology, histology and local and systemic OS parameters was done.Results: Irrespective of diabetic state, OS was associated with delayed wound size reduction and poor granulation-tissue collagen deposition. Delayed and subdued local glutathione peroxidase activity in response to wounding and OS induction was more pronounced in diabetic animals. Diabetic animals also showed higher serum malondialdehyde levels regardless of OS induction. Topical application of α-tocopherol was associated with denser wound granulation tissue collagen deposition but could not affect serum malondialdehyde levels.Conclusions: OS interferes with wound healing especially collagen deposition and the effect is more pronounced in a diabetic state. Topical α-tocopherol can improve collagen deposition in diabetic wounds but cannot counteract systemic OS, therefore combining systemic and local antioxidant supplementation has potential for use in DFU care

Clinicopathological study on pIgR expression and tumor progression in advanced colorectal cancer

This study is aimed at investigating the relationship between the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor （pIgR） expression and clinicopathological factors in advanced colorectal cancer （CRC） patients. The study involved 47 advanced CRC patients who were surgically resected and underwent KRAS gene test. The pIgR expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, and the patients were classified into high and low （pIgR-H and pIgR-L, respectively） groups based on the staining intensity and range. A total of 13 cases was classified under the pIgR-H group, and the remaining 34 were classified under the pIgR-L group. Results suggest no significant differences in most clinicopathological factors between the pIgR-H and pIgR-L groups, although the pIgR-L group had a significantly higher frequency of venous invasion than the pIgR-H group, whereas the frequency of KRAS gene mutation was significantly higher in the pIgR-H group than that in the pIgR-L group. The findings in this study showed little significant correlation between the pIgR expression and clinicopathological factors in advanced CRC patients. Further research on the biological behavior of pIgR as a drug treatment option for KRAS-mutated advanced CRCs is also warranted

Evaluation of wiping edible sesame oils in the oral cavities of hospitalised older patients who resist oral hygiene management

Context: One of the causes of aspiration pneumonia is poor oral hygiene. We need care methods that caregivers can quickly, safely and inexpensively implement for convalescents with inadequate self-care. Edible sesame oil containing sesamin or sesaminol has already been shown to inhibit bacterial and fungal growth and have a vasodilating effect. Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of using edible sesame oils for oral hygiene management. Settings and Design: This study evaluates an oral hygiene management method using two types of sesame oils in elderly hospitalised patients resistant to oral hygiene management. Methods and Material: The inpatients received oral care for 90 days. In the intervention groups, nurses brushed and wiped the oral cavity with roasted sesame oil (RSO) or sesame salad oil, while in the control group, care with tap water alone and brushing were done. Bacteria and Candida counts from tongue swabs, water content from the tongue's surface and cheek mucosa, oral health assessment tool (OHAT) and cytology of the cheek mucosa were assessed every 30 days before and after the intervention. Results: RSO showed a tendency to reduce the number of bacteria and Candida. There was an improvement in the OHAT scores with both oils. The water content or cytology was not changing. Conclusions: Sesame oils may improve oral hygiene and maintain health in older patients

Tailgut cyst in a female infant with a skin dimple at the coccygeal region

A tailgut cyst is a congenital cystic lesion that is situated at the presacral and postrectal area and is considered to be a remnant of the tailgut that develops in early fetal life and usually regresses later. Approximately 20 pediatric cases of tailgut cyst have been reported. We report an infantile case of tailgut cyst that was complicated with a skin dimple at the coccygeal region. The cyst was completely resected and the pathological diagnosis was mature teratoma. We finally diagnosed it as a tailgut cyst by several clinical findings including the site of the cyst, MRI image, the fact that it was complicated with a skin dimple, and the pathological findings