S-nitrosoglutathione-containing hydrogel accelerates rat cutaneous wound repair

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) plays a key role in wound repair and S-nitrosothiols like S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) are well known NO donors. METHODS: Animals were separated in two groups and submitted to excisional wounds on the dorsal surface at the first day. GSNO (100 microm)-containing hydrogels were topically applied on the wound bed in the GSNO group, daily, during the first 4 days. Control group was topically treated with hydrogel without GSNO for the same period. Wound contraction and re-epithelialization were measured. Animals were sacrificed 21 days after wounding. Samples of lesion and normal tissue were formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded for histological analysis. RESULTS: Wound contraction, measured 14 and 21 days after wounding, was greater in the GSNO group than in the control group (P<0.05 for both). The re-epithelialized wound area, measured 14 days after wounding, was higher in the GSNO group than in the control group (P<0.05). A higher amount of inflammatory cells was observed in superficial and deep areas of the granulation tissue of the control group compared to the GSNO group. Twenty-one days after wounding, thin red-yellow collagen fibers arranged perpendicularly to the surface were found in the granulation tissue of the control group, whereas in the GSNO-treated group collagen fibers were thicker and arranged parallel to the surface. Increased number of mast cells was observed in the GSNO group compared with that in the control group. Vascularization and myofibroblast distribution were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Topical application of GSNO-containing hydrogel during the early phases of rat cutaneous wound repair accelerates wound closure and re-epithelialization and affects granulation tissue organization.     

Replication and persistence of HPV DNA in cultured cells derived from laryngeal papillomas.

We have investigated the replication and persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV) type 6 and 11 DNA in cultured cells derived from laryngeal papillomas, with paradoxical findings. Measured by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation into heavy/light DNA separated on a cesium chloride gradient, viral DNA replicates in both primary and secondary cells. The ratio of the fraction of replicated viral to replicated cellular DNA was equal to or greater than 1 in all but one case and was closer to 2 in primary cells. Despite this efficient replication, HPV DNA is rapidly lost from the cells with passage. We propose that infected cells, or those with a high HPV copy number, show a selective decrease in plating efficiency compared to uninfected cells or those with a low copy number, which explains the loss of HPV DNA with repeated passage.     

Safety and immunogenicity of oral inactivated whole-cell Helicobacter pylori vaccine with adjuvant among volunteers with or without subclinical infection

Helicobacter pylori infection of the gastric mucosa can be found in approximately 50% of the world's population and is associated with a range of pathology, including peptic ulcer, atrophic gastritis, and gastric cancer. To explore immunization as a strategy for preventing and treating H. pylori-associated disease, we assessed the safety and immunogenicity in healthy adults of a formalin-inactivated, oral H. pylori whole-cell (HWC) vaccine, administered with or without mutant Escherichia coli heat-labile toxin (LT(R192G)) as a mucosal adjuvant. In a dose-response study, 23 subjects with or without H. pylori infection were vaccinated with either 2.5 x 10(6) HWC, 2.5 x 10(8) HWC, or 2.5 x 10(10) HWC, plus 25 microg of LT(R192G). Thereafter, a randomized study was conducted in which 18 H. pylori-infected subjects were assigned, in a double-blind fashion, to receive either 2.5 x 10(10) HWC plus placebo-adjuvant, placebo-vaccine plus 25 microg of LT(R192G), placebo-vaccine plus placebo-adjuvant, or 2.5 x 10(10) HWC plus 25 microg of LT(R192G). Diarrhea (six subjects), low-grade fever (five subjects), and vomiting (two subjects) were observed, usually after the first dose. Significant rises in geometric mean mucosal (fecal and salivary) anti-HWC immunoglobulin A antibodies occurred among H. pylori-infected and uninfected subjects following inoculation with 2.5 x 10(10) HWC plus 25 microg of LT(R192G). Moreover, among H. pylori-negative volunteers, this regimen induced significant lymphoproliferative responses in 5 of 10 subjects and gamma interferon production responses to H. pylori sonicate in 7 of 10 subjects. There was no evidence that vaccination eradicated H. pylori in infected volunteers. These results suggest that it is possible to stimulate mucosal and systemic immune responses in humans to H. pylori antigens by using an HWC vaccine.     

双能量X线骨质密度测量仪监测小儿下肢骨延长骨矿物质的变化

目的　在儿童骨延长的患儿中 ,为了能够有效地控制骨延长的速率 ,达到骨延长的目的 ,采用双能量X线骨质密度测量仪 (dualenergyX Rayabsorptiometry ,DEXA)监测延长断端骨矿含量 (bonemineralcontent,BMC)的变化。方法　 30例患儿中有 5 0处下肢作了骨延长术 ,平均年龄10 .9岁 (5～ 17岁 ) ,引起短肢的病因不同。术后 7～ 10d开始行骨延长 ,每次延长 0 .2 5mm ,每天 4次。牵引延长期间每周扫描一次 ,拆除外固定器后每 2周扫描一次到术后 2年。DEXA扫描的分辨率是 1mm× 1mm ,扫描速度 30mm/s。比较不同延长时期中骨矿含量的变化。分析不同病因和不同外固定器之间骨矿含量变化的差别。结果　不同固定器之间骨矿含量的差别无著性意义。根据骨延长区BMC增加速率 ,将患儿分为快速组、一般组和慢速组。快速组每日BMC增加速率为 0 .3%～ 0 .6 % ,新骨生长快速 ;一般组每日BMC增加 0 .1%～ 0 .3% ,新骨中速生长 ;慢速组每日增加 <0 .1% ,新骨生成缓慢。骨矿化速率与原发病因相关。结论　DEXA能动态监测骨延长中新生骨的骨矿含量的变化 ,根据骨矿含量变化的程度 ,能够调整骨延长的速率 ,从而达到预期骨延长的目的。     

Longitudinal neurological follow-up of a group of HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative hemophiliacs: results from the hemophilia growth and development study

BACKGROUND: Boys and young men with hemophilia treated with factor infusions before 1985 had a substantial risk of acquiring the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This study was designed to assess the effects of HIV and hemophilia per se on neurological function in a large cohort of subjects with hemophilia, and to investigate the relationships between neurological disease and death during follow-up. METHODS: Three hundred thirty-three boys and young men (207 HIV seropositive and 126 HIV seronegative) were evaluated longitudinally in a multicenter, multidisciplinary study. Neurological history and examination were conducted at baseline and annually for 4 years. The relationship between neurological variables, HIV serostatus, CD4+ cell counts, and vital status at the conclusion of the study was examined using logistic regression models. RESULTS: The risks of nonhemophilia-associated muscle atrophy, behavior change, and gait disturbance increased with time in immune compromised HIV-seropositive subjects compared with HIV seronegative or immunologically stable HIV-seropositive subjects. The risk of behavior change in immune compromised HIV-seropositive hemophiliacs, for example, rose to 60% by year 4 versus 10% to 17% for the other study groups. Forty-five subjects (13.5%), all of whom were HIV seropositive, died by year 4. Subjects who died had had increased risks of hyperreflexia, nonhemophilia-associated muscle atrophy, and behavior change. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that immune compromised, HIV-seropositive hemophiliacs have high rates of neurological abnormalities over time and that neurological abnormalities were common among subjects who later died. By contrast, immunologically stable HIV-seropositive subjects did not differ from the HIV-seronegative participants. Hemophilia per se was associated with progressive abnormalities of gait, coordination, and motor function.     

Little girl who conquered the "ALPPS’’

An insufficient future liver remnant(FLR)is associated with post-hepatectomy liver failure.Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for stage hepatectomy(ALPPS)has been shown to be effective for the induction of rapid FLR hypertrophy so as to improve the resectability in patients with insufficient FLR.We hereby report our experience of this novel approach for a 6-year-old patient with hepatoblastoma.Computed tomography showed a hepatoblastoma measuring12.5 cm×9.9 cm×11.7 cm in the right liver(Couinaud segmentⅣ,ⅤandⅧ).Volumetric assessment of the FLR i.e.,left lateral section was 112.6 mL i.e.,21.2%of the estimated total liver volume.In view of the small-for-size FLR,ALPPS was contemplated.An anterior approach was adopted for the in-situ parenchymal split without mobilisation of the right liver.FLR volumetry on the seventh postoperative day was 160.7 mL,which represented a 46.1%gain in volume,and a FLR/ESLV ratio of 30.2%.A right trisectionectomy was performed on the eighth postoperative day.Postoperative recovery was uneventful.Patient was discharged on day 16 after the first operation.To our knowledge,this was the first report that showed the applicability of ALPPS to a paediatric patient.