Evaluation of the biocompatibility of acellular nerve scaffold via three sterilization methods / 实用口腔医学杂志

Objective: To observe the biocompatibility of acellular nerve scaffold (ANS) via three sterilization methods, to provide experimental data for tissue engineering industrialization. Methods: Pig sciatic nerves were cut and treated using the NaOH maceration method. ANSs were sterilized by ethylene oxide, ~(60)Co-irradiation and peracetic acid. Evaluated the biocompatibility by MTT, cellular compatibility test, collagenase susceptibility test in vitro and local implantation test. Results: ANS retained the integrity of structure and major components of the basement membrane. The result of MTT test showed that the ANSs via different sterilization methods had statistical differences. There were no overall significant differences in Collagenase susceptibility test. Scanning electron microscope results showed the skin fibroblasts could attach, proliferate and grow well on the surface and holes of ANS with sterilization of PAA and Co~(60),a small quantity of cells adhered on ANS with sterilization of ETO. Tests for local effects after implantation show that different sterilization methods don't effect the ability of ANS to resist the enzyme degradation. In ETO group, rats showed an acute inflammatory response followed by chronic inflammation. In PAA and ~(60)Co group rats showed an acute inflammatory response that diminished such that the graft ultimately became indistinguishable from native tissue, observations that were consistent with graft acceptance. Conclusion: Peracetic acid sterilization offers a convenient alternative protocol for ANS processing. ANS sterilized with PAA shows good compatibility and biologic safety. It is an ideal sterilization method for ANS.

Inhibition of local effects of Indian Daboia/Vipera russelli venom by the methanolic extract of grape (Vitis vinifera L.) seeds.

Although anti-venom therapy is available for the treatment of fatal bite by snakes, it offers less or no protection against the local effects such as dermo- and myonecrosis, edema, hemorrhage and inflammation at the bitten region. The viper species are known for their violent local effects and such effects have been commonly treated with plant extracts without any scientific validation in rural India. In this investigation, the methanolic extract of grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) seed was studied against the Indian Daboia/Vipera russelli venom-induced local effects. The extract abolished the proteolytic and hyaluronidase activities and also efficiently neutralized the hemorrhage, edema-inducing and myonecrotic properties of the venom. In addition, the extract also inhibited partially the pro-coagulant activity of the venom and abolished the degradation of Aα and Bβ chains of human fibrinogen. Thus, the extract possesses potent anti-snake venom property, especially against the local effects of viper bites.

Initial Assessment of the Snakebites with Local effects

PURPOSE: Life-threatening effects from poisonous snakebites seem to be relatively rare in Korea. Therefore, the purpose of our study is to verify a new triage system by using mainly the local effect scoring system to determine whether it may be used as a general guide for snakebite toxicity in the early injury stage. METHODS: A retrospective study of 108 snakebite patients who visited the Emergency Department of Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center from April 2000 to December 2003 was conducted. A local effect scoring system was used to grade the toxicity, and the results was compared with those obtained using the traditional grading system. RESULTS: According to the grading system for severity, grades 0, I and II was most common ones whereas and grades III and IV were relatively rare (9.3%, 1.9%). Local effect scores of 9 to 16, which were considered to correspond to grades III & IV, were documented in 15 cases (13.9%). For the patients with scores from 9 to 16, the average length of stay and the average dosage of the antivenin were 4.54 days and 2.0 vials compared with 1.43 days and 0.73 vials for those with a score of 8 or less, and these differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). There were 9 complicated cases, but they were not considered to be life-threatening. CONCLUSION: The local effect scoring system correlated well with the traditional grading system for snakebite severity and may provide an instrument for evaluating the severity of snakebites in the early injury stage. Also, our study supports the conclusion that snakebites in Korea should be reevaluated for the severity.