Search

Introducción: La proteína relacionada con la parthormona (PTHrP), un factor abundante en el tejido óseo, es un importante modulador de la formación ósea. Se ha demostrado que la PTHrP (107-111), conocida como osteostatina, cargada en el material cerámico mesoporoso SBA-15, ejerce acciones osteogénicas in vitro. Objetivo: Comprobar si dicho material y una versión funcionalizada del mismo (C8-SBA-15) promueven la reparación ósea en un modelo de defecto cavitario en el fémur del conejo. Material y métodos: Para ello se han llevado a cabo estudios histológicos e inmunohistoquímicos y de microtomografía computerizada (µCT). Resultados: Tras la implantación de los biomateriales no se observaron niveles significativos de inflamación ni resorción ósea (4 y 8 semanas). A las 8 semanas las biocerámicas no cargadas con la osteostatina se encontraban separadas de la médula ósea por una cápsula fibrosa, que disminuía de forma significativa en presencia del péptido. Se observó (por µCT) un aumento de la neo-formación ósea a diferentes distancias de los biomateriales, principalmente en los cargados con la osteostatina. Además, estos resultados fueron confirmados por inmunohistoquímica de marcadores osteoblásticos. Conclusión: Nuestros hallazgos sugieren que estas biocerámicas cargadas con la osteostatina son una buena estrategia para acelerar la regeneración ósea.

New generation prosthetic biomaterials for abdominal wall repair have been designed to be less dense, by having larger pores than that of the standard polypropylene meshes, to improve abdominal wall compliance. The aim of the present study was to analyze the functional and morphologic properties of these new meshes. For this purpose, 7 × 5 cm2 defects were created in the anterior abdominal wall of 36 male New Zealand White rabbits and repaired using different polypropylene meshes: a heavyweight mesh (HW), Surgipro, and two lightweight meshes (LW), Parietene and Optilene. Six animals each implanted with biomaterial were sacrificed on postoperative days 14 and 90. Histological and morphometric analysis, adhesion assessment, and biomechanical resistance tests were performed. Similar behavior was shown by the LW and HW meshes in terms of the adhesions and macrophage response induced. After 14 days, the tensile strength of Optilene was greater than the strengths recorded for the other two biomaterials, probably because of its high elasticity. By 90 days, however, the tensile strengths of the three biomaterials were comparable. In conclusion, despite an initial tensile strength advantage shown by the mesh with larger pores, at 90 days postimplant, tensile strengths were similar. Compared with HW, LW prostheses have the benefit that less foreign material was implanted, preserving the elasticity of the recipient host tissue. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: This study was designed to evaluate the extent of adhesion formation to prostheses fixed with spiral tacks and to establish whether the use of Ringer’s lactate or icodextrin could prevent these adhesions. Methods:24New Zealand white rabbits weighing around 3,000 g were implanted with a 7 × 5 cm patch of ePTFE (DualMesh®) through amidline laparotomy. The prosthesis was fixed to the intact peritoneum using spiral tacks. Three study groups were established according to whether the animals were: implanted with ePTFE fixed with spiral tacks or implanted with ePTFE fixed with spiral tacks and simultaneously administered Ringer’s lactate or 4% icodextrin in the peritoneal cavity. Adhesion formation and prosthetic behavior at the prosthesis/peritoneal interface were evaluated and quantified by sequential laparoscopy performed at 3, 7 and 14 days. Results: Adhesions generally formed on the tacks and were classified as the fully integrated type. No significant differences were observed in terms of the extent of adhesions or of neoperitoneal thickness between control animals and those receiving Ringer’s lactate or icodextrin. Conclusions: (a)Prosthesis-fixing tacks induced adhesions; (b) the use of substances such as icodextrin or Ringer’s lactate does not seem to diminish adhesion formation, and (c) the use of icodextrin offered no benefits over that of Ringer’s lactate solution. Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of biomaterials as vehicles for pharmacological agents, hormones, and growth factors is at times the best treatment for controlled local administration. Our study was designed to evaluate the in vitro biocompatibility and potential clinical use of a new polymer, hydroxyethyl methacrylate–vinyl pirrolidone. Human fibroblasts were incubated in the presence of the polymer and/or growth hormone, and evaluation was made of both the rate of polymer and hormone degradation and the proliferative effect on the fibroblast population. Results indicate that this polymer is biodegradable and lacks toxicity toward these cells. The hormone was slowly released, as suggested by enhanced cell proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lídia Palma,1 Liliana Tavares Marques,1 Julia Bujan,2,3 Luís Monteiro Rodrigues1,4 1CBIOS – Research Center for Health Science and Technologies, Universidade Lusófona, Campo Grande, Lisboa, Portugal; 2Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Universidad de Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; 3CIBER-BBN, Madrid, España, Spain; 4Department of Pharmacological Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal Abstract: It is generally assumed that dietary water might be beneficial for the health, especially in dermatological (age preventing) terms. The present study was designed to quantify the impact of dietary water on major indicators of skin physiology. A total of 49 healthy females (mean 24.5±4.3 years) were selected and characterized in terms of their dietary daily habits, especially focused in water consumption, by a Food Frequency Questionnaire. This allowed two groups to be set – Group 1 consuming less than 3,200 mL/day (n=38), and Group 2 consuming more than 3,200 mL/day (n=11). Approximately 2 L of water were added to the daily diet of Group 2 individuals for 1 month to quantify the impact of this surplus in their skin physiology. Measurements involving epidermal superficial and deep hydration, transepidermal water loss, and several biomechanical descriptors were taken at day 0 (T0), 15 (T1), and 30 (T2) in several anatomical sites (face, upper limb, and leg). This stress test (2 L/day for 30 days) significantly modified superficial and deep skin hydration, especially in Group 1. The same impact was registered with the most relevant biomechanical descriptors. Thus, in this study, it is clear that higher water inputs in regular diet might positively impact normal skin physiology, in particular in those individuals with lower daily water consumptions. Keywords: dietary water, water consume, skin hydration, TEWL, skin biomechanics

The article presents a case study of 14 patients with allergic and/or photoallergic contact dermatitis caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) etofenamate. The patients had been referred to patch testing with to NSAID series. The study reveals seven cases of allergic contact dermatitis, five for photoallergic contact dermatitis, and two for combined allergic and photoallergic. Information on the uses of etofenamate is also offered.