Oleic acid modulation of the immune response in wound healing: A new approach for skin repair

Injury triggers inflammatory responses and tissue repair. Several treatments are currently in use to accelerate healing: however, more efficient formulations are still needed for specific injuries. Since unsaturated fatty acids modulate immune responses, we aimed to evaluate their therapeutic effects on wound healing. Skin wounds were induced in BALB/c mice and treated for 5 days with n-3, n-9 fatty acids or vehicle (control). n-9 treated mice presented smaller wounds than control and n-3 at 120 h post-surgery (p.s.). Collagen III mRNA,TIMP1 and MMP9 were significantly elevated in n-9 group compared to n-3 or vehicle at 120 h p.s. Among the inflammatory mediators studied we found that IL-10, TNF-alpha and IL-17 were also higher in n-9 treated group compared to n-3 or vehicle at 120 h p.s. Interestingly, COX2 had decreased expression on wound tissue treated with n-9. Inflammatory infiltrate analysis revealed diminished frequency of CD4(+), CD8(+) and CD11b(+) cells in n-9 wounds at 24 and 120 h p.s., which was not related to cell death, since in vitro apoptosis experiments did not show any cell damage after fatty acids administration. These results suggested that unsaturated fatty acids, specifically n-9, modulate the inflammation in the wound and enhance reparative response in vivo. n-9 may be a useful tool in the treatment of cutaneous wounds. (C) 2010 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Identification and characterization of a new member of snake venom thrombin inhibitors from Bothrops insularis using a proteomic approach

Snake venom C-type lectin-like proteins (CLPs) are ubiquitously found in Viperidae snake venoms and differ from the C-type lectins as they display different biological activities but no carbohydrate-binding activity. Previous analysis of the transcriptome obtained from the Bothrops insularis venom gland showed the presence of two clusters homologous to bothrojaracin (BJC) chains a and P. In an effort to identify a new BJC-like molecule, we used an approach associated with proteomic technologies to identify the presence of the expressed protein and then to purify and characterize a new thrombin inhibitor from B. insularis venom. We also constructed homology models of this protein and BJC, which were compared with other C-type lectin-like family members and revealed several conserved features of this intriguing snake venom toxin family. (C)0 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Novel Approach to Intraoral Mandibular Nerve Anesthesia: Changing Reference Planes in the Gow-Gates Block Technique

Purpose: The Gow-Gates technique is said to have several advantages over traditional techniques to achieve mandibular nerve anesthesia; however, its routine use is quite limited, mainly due to complications during visual alignment of reference landmarks. The purpose of this study was to verify the validity and accuracy of a new method to reach the injection site. Material and Methods: Fifteen magnetic resonance images were captured. Distances from the ideal injection point in the condylar neck (puncture ideal) to the injection points located in the a and 0 plane intersection (Puncture Gow-Gates and puncture modified) were measured and compared. Results: Positive and significant (P <= .003) Pearson correlations between landmarks and injection points confirmed the validity of the modified technique. Paired t test showed that the segment line puncture ideal-puncture modified, 5.17 mm, was 3 times shorter (P < .001) than the segment line puncture ideal-puncture Gow-Gates, 17.91 mm. As calculated by linear regression, establishing the injection point of the modified technique depended only on the anteroposterior and lateromedial condyle positions. Conclusions: The modified technique proved to be valid and precise and has a determined and an effective injection site. (C) 2009 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons J Oral Maxillofac Surg 67:2609-2616, 2009

Use and non-use values of wild Asian elephants: A total economic valuation approach

The contingent valuation method is often used for valuing environmental goods possessing use as well as non-use values. This paper investigates the relative importance of these values in relation to the existence of the wild Asian elephant. It does so by analysing results from a contingent valuation survey of a sample of urban residents living in three selected housing schemes in Colombo. We find that the major proportion of the respondents’ willingness to pay (WTP) for conservation of wild elephants is attributable to the non-use values of the elephant. However, differences in the relative importance of these values exist between those who visit national parks and those who do not. Differences in respondents’ WTP for conservation of elephants are found to be largely influenced by attitudinal and behavioural factors rather than socio-economic ones. We conclude that policymakers must recognise and take account of the importance of non-use values of the Asian elephant, if this endangered species is to survive in the long run. Nevertheless, the non-consumptive use value of elephants in Sri Lanka is also found to be substantial.

Nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. surgical approach using a transoral Le Fort I osteotomy following embolization: a case report

Nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (NA) is a rare vascular benign nonencapsulated neoplasm, characterized by local aggressiveness and destructive potential, typically diagnosed in adolescent males. We report a case of NA affecting a 15-year-old male that presented with a persistent nasal obstruction and epistaxis with 1 year of evolution. Clinical and radiological patterns pointed out a differential diagnosis of NA. Arteriography demonstrates the vascular support of the tumor and evinces the embolization of the internal maxillary artery. The surgical approach was procedure by Le Fort I osteotomy exposing the tumor and promoting easy access for posterior removal. The surgery was carried out without hemorrhagic problems. The maxilla was fixed in the original position with 4 L-shape plaques. Histopathological findings supported the diagnosis of NA. The patient presented after 8 months of postoperative follow-up, without clinical signs of recurrence or residual tumor and without palatal or maxillary teeth paresthesia.