Effect of Peptides on the Synthesis, Properties and Wound Healing Capacity of Silver Nanoparticles

The aim of this study is the synthesis of novel peptide-silver nanoparticle conjugates with enhanced wound healing capacity. Peptide-silver nanoparticle conjugates were synthesized using myristoyl tetrapeptide 6 (MT6) or copper tripeptide 1 (CuTP1). Peptide-free silver nanoparticles (AgNP) were synthesized using NaBH4 and sodium citrate and were used as control. The addition of the peptides during or after the synthesis of nanoparticles and its impact on the properties of the synthesized peptide-silver nanoparticle conjugates were assessed. The monitoring of the synthesis of nanoparticles was achieved using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-/Vis). The characteristics and colloidal stability of the nanoparticles (size and ζ-potential distribution, morphology, composition and structure) were monitored using dynamic laser scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The wound healing capacity of the peptide-silver nanoparticle conjugates was assessed using scratch test assay on fibroblasts (NIH/3T3). The results indicated that the addition of the peptides during the synthesis of nanoparticles lead to better yield of the reaction and more effective capping while the size distribution and ζ-potential of the conjugates indicated long-term colloidal stability. The MT6-AgNP conjugate exhibited 71.97 ± 4.35% wound closure, which was about 5.48-fold higher (p < 0.05) than the corresponding free MT6. The CuTP1-AgNP conjugate exhibited 62.37 ± 18.33% wound closure that was better by 2.82 fold (p < 0.05) compared to the corresponding free CuTP1. Both peptides led to the synthesis of silver nanoparticle conjugates with enhanced wound healing capacity compared to the respective free peptide or to the peptide-free AgNP (29.53 ± 4.71% wound closure, p < 0.05). Our findings demonstrated that the synthetized peptide-silver nanoparticle conjugates are promising ingredients for wound care formulation.

Raw and modified palygorskite in water treatment applications for low-concentration ammonium removal

Raw palygorskite (Pal) samples went under acid (H-Pal), NaCl (Na-Pal), and CaCl₂ treatment (Ca-Pal) in order to be examined as ammonium (NH₄ ⁺ ) sorbents from aqueous solutions. The samples were characterized by XRD and FT-IR techniques to examine potential structural differences after modifications, and batch kinetic experiment series were applied to determine the optimal conditions for NH₄ ⁺ removal. According to thermodynamic analysis, the removal reaction for sodium- and calcium-treated samples was endothermic (ΔΗ⁰  > 0, 1.65 kJ/mol and 24.66 kJ/mol, respectively), in contrast with the exothermic reactions of raw and acidic-treated palygorskite samples (ΔΗ⁰  < 0, -37.18 kJ/mol and -27.56 kJ/mol respectively). Moreover, each sample presented a different order of sorbed ions preference, whereas the strong affinity for Ca²⁺ sorption was common in all cases since the NH₄ ⁺ removal inhibited. Nevertheless, a similar pattern was followed for raw and modified samples at isotherm study, rendering the linear form of Freundlich isotherm to express better the NH₄ ⁺ sorption on palygorskite sample, indicating that it is a heterogeneous procedure. In all cases, the NH₄ ⁺ maximum uptake was within 15 min using 8 g/L of each sorbent, especially for the Na-Pal sample, which could reach almost 100% removal of low concentration NH₄ ⁺ . PRACTITIONER POINTS: Modified palygorskite samples were tested for NH₄ ⁺ removal from aqueous solutions. NaCl-treated palygorskite had the higher removal efficiency, which could reach almost 100% removal of low concentration NH₄ ⁺ . NH₄ ⁺ maximum uptake was within 15 minutes using 8 g/L of each sorbent. NH₄ ⁺ adsorption was an endothermic reaction for NaCl- and CaCl₂ -treated palygorskite sorbents. NH₄ ⁺ adsorption was an exothermic reaction for raw and acid-treated palygorskite sorbents.

Kaolinite group minerals: Applications in cancer diagnosis and treatment

The clay minerals are characterized as important minerals due to their specific properties. One of the most important groups of the clay minerals is the kaolinite's group minerals due to their morphology, availability and range of potential applications. Halloysite and kaolinite are investigated here for their pharmaceutical applications and especially for their potential in cancer treatment. This review study is focusing on the potential applications of the kaolinite's group minerals in cancer diagnosis and monitoring, cancer treatment, the avoidance of metastasis, and the relief of cancer pains. Anticancer drug-loaded formulations based on these minerals show high potential for the treatment of various types of cancer as they have been shown to exhibit high anticancer activity in cancer cell lines and cancer animal models, high biocompatibility, low side effects, and high drug bioavailability.

ffnende Keilosteotomie des distalen Femurs beim Valgusknie

This review presents a novel technique for open-wedge varus osteotomies of the distal femur in lateral compartment osteoarthritis in valgus knees. Indications and contraindications are discussed. The technique, its potential pitfalls, and postoperative management are presented. The authors' results with this technique are compared to the data of the literature.

[Not Available]

The aim of the research was to study the interrelationship between the primary neurovascular headaches, the various levels dimension of nasal pyramid and the rapid palatal expansion.Twenty-five patients, of both sexes and on developmental age, were studied before and after the rapid palatal expansion.All patients showed palatal hypoplasia and were suffering from primary neurovascular headache.The research was based on the cephalometric and rhinomanometric data.The radiographic documentation of each patient consisted of three posteroanterior teleradiographic projection; the first before application of the disjunction device, the second immediately after disjunction and the third at the end of the contention period. The rhinomanometric evaluation studied the reduction of nasal resistance values before and after palatal expansion.In all patients a constant increase in the values relating both skeletal and dental structures was observed.The nasal septum, if deviated, appeared straightend.The nasal resistances were decreased. The concomitant headache symptomatology presented resolution or recovery in the 98% of treated patients.The results should confirm the hypothesis of the central-peripheral theory of "primary headaches" and the possibility to treat the primary headaches by rapid palatal disjunction in eliminating the stenosis at various levels of nasal pyramid.

[Primary headache and orthognathorhinodontia in childhood]

The aim of the research was to study the interrelationship between the primary neurovascular headaches, the various levels dimension of nasal pyramid and the rapid palatal expansion. Twenty-five patients, of both sexes and on developmental age, were studied before and after the rapid palatal expansion. All patients showed palatal hypoplasia and were suffering from primary neurovascular headache. The research was based on the cephalometric and rhinomanometric data. The radiographic documentation of each patient consisted of three postero-anterior teleradiographic projection; the first before application of the disjunction device, the second immediately after disjunction and the third at the end of the contention period. The rhinomanometric evaluation studied the reduction of nasal resistance values before and after palatal expansion. In all patients a constant increase in the values relating both skeletal and dental structures was observed. The nasal septum, if deviated, appeared straightend. The nasal resistances were decreased. The concomitant headache symptomatology presented resolution or recovery in the 98% of treated patients. The results should confirm the hypothesis of the central-peripheral theory of "primary headaches" and the possibility to treat the primary headaches by rapid palatal disjunction in eliminating the stenosis at various levels of nasal pyramid.

Different patterns of meniscal tears in acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures and in chronic ACL-deficient knees. Classification, staging and timing of treatment

Through the retrospective study of 1103 reconstructions of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) performed between 1984 and 1993, we try to outline the natural history of meniscal tears in acute lesions and in chronic insufficiency of the ACL. According to a more accurate evaluation of the clinical evolution, ACL-deficient knees can be classified into four different stages: acute, subacute, subchronic and properly chronic laxities. While acute injuries show a higher rate of lateral meniscus tears, chronic laxities are very frequently associated with severe medial meniscus lesions. Subacute and subchronic stages seem therefore to be the most favourable phases for ACL reconstruction, because of the lower percentage of severe associated meniscus tears and the minor risk of arthrofibrosis.

Gianotti-Crosti syndrome: a retrospective analysis of 308 cases

BACKGROUND

There is no agreement as to whether papular acrodermatitis of childhood caused by hepatitis B virus can be differentiated from other papulovesicular acrolocated syndromes.

OBJECTIVE

We attempted to establish whether such differentiation is possible comparing histories, signs, and symptoms of all patients who have been previously diagnosed as having papular acrodermatitis of childhood or papulovesicular acrolocated syndromes.

METHODS

Files of 308 patients hospitalized in the past three decades were studied. Photographs were examined by a panel of experts to determine whether it was possible to distinguish between papular acrodermatitis of childhood and papulovesicular acrolocated syndromes solely on the basis of cutaneous signs.

RESULTS

The retrospective analysis confirmed a significant overlapping of the two types of the disease. The blind survey of photographs of the patients revealed that a distinction between the forms was not clinically possible.

CONCLUSION

Acrodermatitis is a self-limiting cutaneous response to different viruses; clinical differences are probably due to individual characteristics of each patient rather than the causative virus.

[Acute postintervention cholecystitis]

A case of postoperative cholecystitis in a 64 years old man is reported. This is a nosological entity characterized by gallbladder distension without any patent obstacle in the cystic duct and constancy of necrosis involving all the parietal layers. Clinical signs and symptoms are aspecific. Mortality rate is high and diagnosis has to be done quickly because the gallbladder necrosis makes cholecystectomy compulsory on such patients.

Papular xanthoma in children

Papular xanthoma is a normolipemic xanthomatosis that mainly affects adults. We describe the clinical, histologic, ultrastructural, and immunologic findings in 10 children with this disease. Papular xanthoma in children has the same clinical and histopathologic features as in adults, but it appears to be self-healing within 1 to 5 years.

[Hamartomatous polyps of Brunner's gland. Presentation of 2 cases. Review of the literature]

Two uncommon cases of Brunner gland hyperplasia are reported. Both presented clinical symptoms simulating gastrointestinal disease caused by hyperacidity. In conjunction with clinical statistics, diagnosis based on aetiology was only formulated after a double-contrast radiological exam of the g-i tract. After treatment with antiacid and antisecretory drugs, remission of the clinical symptoms was obtained, and regression of the hamartomatous polypoid duodenal neoformation, thus confirming the hypothesis which states that hyperacidic gastric secretion is the main cause of Brunner gland hyperplasia.

[Infantile sclero-atrophic lichen and infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi]

The authors describe a study of 8 girls suffering from genital and perianal lichen sclerosus et atrophicus. Following the most recent reports in literature, antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi have been looked for, and the patients have been treated with propicillin. The results are discussed.

Cutaneous manifestations of tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in children and adolescents. Follow-up 10 years after the Seveso, Italy, accident

After an accident in a chemical plant in Seveso, Italy, on July 10, 1976, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) spread over a populated area. The event was exceptional because children were also affected and because the contamination took place not only through direct exposure but also through inhalation and the ingestion of contaminated foods, especially fruits and vegetables. This paper illustrates the early dermatologic lesions, the late acneic (chloracne) lesions, and their evolution during a 10-year period. Peculiar cutaneous findings, histologic data, and a comparison with previously reported similar accidents are also included.

Fatal nodular xanthomatosis in an infant

We describe a unique and puzzling case of a 7-month-old baby with a non-X hypertriglyceridemic histiocytoxanthomatosis. The disease was characterized by a massive nodular eruption that was clinically, histologically, and ultrastructurally consistent with juvenile xanthogranuloma, but it had a rapid, fatal evolution.

Generalized eruptive histiocytoma in children

Generalized eruptive histiocytoma is a papular, non-X, nonlipidic, self-healing histiocytosis affecting mainly adults. This article describes the clinical, histologic, ultrastructural, and immunologic findings in four children, aged 10 months to 4 years, who were suffering from this disease. Generalized eruptive histiocytoma of children differs from generalized eruptive histiocytoma of adults only in that the lesions are not symmetrically distributed, they do not affect the mucous membranes, and they may become xanthomatous.

Benign cephalic histiocytosis

Benign cephalic histiocytosis is a self-healing non-X, nonlipid cutaneous histiocytosis of children, characterized by a papular eruption on the head. Mucous membranes and viscera are always spared. In the 13 cases reported herein, the children were otherwise in good general health. The disease appeared during the first three years of life, and spontaneous regression was complete by the age of nine years in the four cases healed to date. The histiocytic infiltrate was localized in the upper and middle dermis and contained no lipids at any stage of evolution. All the histiocytes contained coated vesicles, and 5% to 30% also contained comma-shaped bodies in their cytoplasm.

[The infantile acrodermatitis syndrome and Epstein-Barr virus infection]

Six cases of APVS, associated with Epstein-Barr-Virus-infection are reported, the clinical picture, however, is not diagnosed as it is in acrodermatitis papulosa infantum (API). For this reason, we suggest to look for the signs of a primary viral infection in all cases of acro-localized papulo-vesicular skin manifestations. In contrast of APVS, API is a primary hepatitis B virus infection.