The effect of cyclodextrin-solubilized curcuminoids on amyloid plaques in Alzheimer transgenic mice: brain uptake and metabolism after intravenous and subcutaneous injection.

Introduction: Curcuminoids may improve pathological conditions associated with Alzheimer's disease. However, their therapeutic potential is limited by their exceedingly low bioavailability after oral administration. A method to deliver solubilized curcuminoids by injection was evaluated in Alzheimer transgenic mice.

Controlled mild hypothermia prolongs survival in a rat model of large scald burns.

Objectives: Early surface cooling of burns reduces pain and depth of injury and improves healing. However, there are concerns that cooling of large burns may result in hypothermia and worsen outcomes. In contrast, controlled mild hypothermia improves outcomes after cardiac arrest and traumatic brain injury.

Rapid and selective enzymatic debridement of porcine comb burns with bromelain-derived Debrase: acute-phase preservation of noninjured tissue and zone of stasis.

Deep burns are associated with the formation of an eschar, which delays healing and increases the risk of infection. Surgical debridement of the eschar is, at present, the fastest means to achieve an eschar-free bed, but the process can not differentiate between the viable tissue and the eschar and follow the minute irregularities of the interface between the two. We evaluated the efficacy and selectivity of a novel enzymatic bromelain-based debriding agent, Debrase Gel Dressing (Debrase), in a porcine comb burn model.

Healing of mid-dermal burns in a diabetic porcine model.

Wound healing is delayed in diabetic patients. We developed a diabetic-porcine burn model and compared the healing of partial-thickness burns in normal and diabetic pigs. We hypothesized that wound healing would be delayed in the diabetic swine.

Rosiglitazone, a PPAR-gamma ligand, reduces burn progression in rats.

Burns induce the activation of an inflammatory cascade that generates reactive oxygen radicals and lipid peroxidation leading to burn wound progression and extension. Peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor-gamma is a nuclear hormone receptor that is activated by transcription factors and plays an important role in the regulation of cellular proliferation and inflammation. We hypothesized that treatment of burns with rosiglitazone, a peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor-gamma ligand, would reduce burn wound progression.

Validation of a porcine comb burn model.

Objective: A brass comb burn model that creates 3 full-thickness burns separated by 3 interspaces of unburned skin representing the zone of ischemia has been described in rats. We evaluated this model in pigs.

Methods: Design--observational.

An in-vivo study of the wound-bursting strengths of octyl-cyanoacrylate, butyl-cyanoacrylate, and surgical tape in rats.

Background: Several non-invasive wound-closure devices are available. Clinical studies of low-tension lacerations suggest similar clinical outcomes with these devices.

Objective: We compared the wound-bursting strengths (WBS) of octyl-cyanoacrylate (Dermabond), butyl-cyanoacrylate (Histoacryl Blue), and adhesive tape (Steri-Strips).

A novel TGF-beta antagonist speeds reepithelialization and reduces scarring of partial thickness porcine burns.

Scar formation after thermal injury is common and results in significant aesthetic and functional impairment. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) plays a significant role in scar formation. We tested the hypothesis that a novel TGF-beta peptantagonist would reduce scar formation and wound contraction in partial thickness burns by using a randomized controlled experiment.

Non-cytotoxic, in situ gelable hydrogels composed of N-carboxyethyl chitosan and oxidized dextran.

A series of in situ gelable hydrogels were prepared from oxidized dextran (Odex) and N-carboxyethyl chitosan (CEC) without any extraneous crosslinking agent. The gelation readily took place at physiological pH and body temperature. The gelation process was monitored rheologically, and the effect of the oxidation degree of dextran on the gelation process was investigated.

Curcumin reduces burn progression in rats.

Objectives: Cutaneous burns are dynamic injuries with a central zone of necrosis surrounded by a zone of ischemia. Conversion of this ischemic zone to full necrosis over the days following injury is due in part to highly reactive oxygen radicals. Curcumin is a component of the Oriental spice turmeric that has been shown to have antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties.