Amniotic membrane as an option for treatment of acute Achilles tendon injury in rats

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the effect of human amniotic membrane (hAM) fragment on inflammatory response, proliferation of fibroblast and organization of collagen fibers in injured tendon. Methods: Sixty rats were divided into 3 groups: C - surgical procedures without tendon lesion and with simulation of hAM application; I - surgical procedures, tendon injury and simulation of hAM application; T - surgical procedures, tendon injury and hAM application. These groups were subdivided into four experimental times (3, 7, 14 and 28 days). The samples underwent histological analysis and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Results: Histological analysis at 14 days, the T group showed collagen fibers with better alignment. At 28 days, the I group presented the characteristics described for the T group at 14 days, while this group presented aspects of a mature connective tissue. FT-IR analysis showed a clear distinction among the three groups at all experimental times and groups T and I presented more similarities to each other than to group C. Conclusion: Acute injury of tendon treated with human amniotic membrane fragment showed a faster healing process, reduction in inflammatory response, intense proliferation of fibroblasts and organization of collagen fibers.

Biochemical imaging of normal, adenoma, and colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and morphological correlation by histopathological analysis: preliminary results

Introduction The colorectal cancer is a major health problem worldwide. Histology is considered the gold standard for differential diagnosis. However, it depends on the observer's experience, which can lead to discrepancies and poor results. Spectroscopic imaging by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) is a technique that may be able to improve the diagnosis, because it is based on biochemical differences of the structural constituents of tissue. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to explore the use of FTIR imaging technique in normal colon tissue, colorectal adenoma, and adenocarcinoma in order to correlate their morphological structures with their biochemical imaging. Methods Samples were collected from normal (n = 4), adenoma (n = 4), and adenocarcinoma human colorectal tissue (n = 4) from patients undergoing colonoscopy or surgical resection of colon lesions. The samples were sectioned with a cryostat in sequential sections; the first slice was placed on CaF2 slide and the second slice was placed on glass slide for histological analysis (HE staining). The cluster analyses were performed by the software Cytospec (1.4.02)®. Results In normal samples, biochemical analysis classified six different structures, namely the lamina propria of mucous glands (epithelial cells and goblet cells), central lumen of the gland, mucin, and conjunctive tissue. In samples with adenoma and adenocarcinoma, altered regions could also be identified with high sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion The results of this study demonstrate the potential and viability of using infrared spectroscopy to identify and classify colorectal tissues.

Confocal Raman spectroscopy: determination of natural moisturizing factor profile related to skin hydration

INTRODUCTION: Skin health and skin care to reduce the effects of aging are the main interests of many researchers. The skin is very important because it protects the body from various effects of the external environment, and studies of the largest organ of the human body have been conducted since antiquity. In skin, aging effects are severe enough to promote changes in cell structure and biochemical composition. In this study, we quantitatively analyzed the water content and natural moisturizing factor of human facial skin in vivo and in real time by confocal Raman spectroscopy. This non-invasive technique is capable of providing detailed information on the biochemical composition at different depth profiles in the skin. METHODS: We studied 10 volunteers, phototype II (40 and 50 years old), using a confocal Raman system to examine the skin surface down to 25 µm. Raman spectra were obtained before product use (T0), and after 30 days of continuous use of cosmetics (T30). RESULTS: The results show a significant increase of 6.4% in water content in the surface layer of the facial skin after the cosmetic use. The amounts of natural moisturizing factor (NMF) compounds were also increased. Urocanic acid underwent a greater change in relation to carboxylic acid pyrrolidone, with a 38.5% increase in the stratum corneum. CONCLUSION: Confocal Raman spectroscopy identified changes in the biochemical composition of the superficial layers of the epidermis, which suggests the anti-aging efficacy of the formulation.

Study of advanced rheumatoid arthritis

INTRODUCTION: Rheumatic diseases are considered public health problems affecting millions of people worldwide resulting in high and rising health-care costs. In this work, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy associated to Partial Least Square regression (PLS) analysis was used to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from human serum. METHODS: The sera of 94 individuals were collected, which included 47 from rheumatic patients and 47 from healthy individuals. The results from PLS analysis were compared to standard clinical trials such as anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies, C- Reactive protein, and Rheumatoid factor. RESULTS: For clinical diagnosis, the anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies of second generation proved to be the most specific to diagnosis rheumatoid arthritis even after long periods of drug therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The qualitative PLS analysis has shown higher values of IgM of RA group, but the difference was very small. The RA patients were under medication, which interfered with the IgM concentration.

Cicatrização de feridas decorrentes da hanseníase utilizando laser de baixa intensidade / Wound healing leprosy induced by low intensity laser

A hanseníase é causada pelo bacilo Mycobacterium leprae(M. leprae), apresentando grande capacidade de infectar vários indivíduos com contágio pelas vias aéreas superiores. A hanseníase considerada um problema de saúde pública, principalmente nos países subdesenvolvidos e nos em desenvolvimento, devido à presença de incapacidades e estigma social...

Leprosy is caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae(M. leprae), presenting the capacity to infect multiple individuals with infection of the upper airways. Hansen considered a public health problem, especially in under developed countries and developing countries, due to the presence of disabilities and social stigma...