A randomized trial comparing ReCell system of epidermal cells delivery versus classic skin grafts for the treatment of deep partial thickness burns.

BACKGROUND: Our purpose was to directly compare results obtained with the ReCell system and the classic skin grafting for epidermal replacement in deep partial thickness burns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited all patients with deep partial thickness burns admitted at the Burn Centre of S. Eugenio Hospital in Rome over 2 years. Enrollment was conducted with a controlled strategy--sampling chart--that allowed homogeneous groups (ReCell and skin grafting) for age, gender, type of burns and total burn surface area (TBSA). We evaluated as primary endpoints of the study the (i) time for complete epithelization (both treated area and biopsy site) and (ii) aesthetic and functional quality of the epithelization (color, joint contractures). Secondary endpoints were the assessment of infections, inflammations or any adverse effects of the ReCell procedure, particular medications assumed, postoperative pain. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients were analyzed in two homogeneous groups. All of them received adequate epidermal replacement, but skin grafting was faster than ReCell (p<0.05). On the contrary, ReCell biopsy areas and postoperative pain were smaller than classic grafting (p<0.05). The aesthetic and functional outcomes were similar between procedures. CONCLUSIONS: ReCell is a feasible, simple and safe technique. It gives similar results to skin grafting but, harvesting minor areas, can open possible future applications in the management of large-burns patients.

[Effects of eledoisin on water intake induced by subcutaneous injection of hypertonic NaCl in the rat]. / Effetto della eledoisina sulla assunzione di acqua indotta da iniezione sottocutanea di NaCl ipertonico nel ratto.

Intracerebroventricular administration of eledoisin, the tachykinin peptide of the salivary glands of Eledone Moschata, exerts a potent and long-lasting inhibition of water intake induced by the subcutaneous administration of hypertonic NaCl in the rat. The inhibitory effect is statistically significant up to 6 hr following eledoisin treatment, while the 24 hr water intake in control and treated rats is essentially identical. The results of the present study demonstrate that the long-lasting effect is not due to increased renal excretion of the osmotic load, nor, likely, to larger production of metabolic water. Probably, eledoisin exerts an inhibitory effect of such a long duration by means of central actions which last well beyond its half-life, or, alternatively, by promoting an increased excretion of the osmotic load through elimination routes different from the kidney.

[Physalaemin-like N-terminal fragments of mammalian tissues, PHLIP-7 and PHLIP-8 do not modify drinking behavior and sodium appetite in rats]. / I frammenti N-terminali fisalemino-simili di tessuti di mammifero, PHLIP-7 e PHLIP-8, non modificano "drinking behaviour" e appetito per il sodio nel ratto.

PHLIP-7 and PHLIP-8, two peptides reproducing at least in part the N-terminal aminoacid sequence of physalaemin, have been identified in mammalian tissues. These peptides produce alterations of fighting behaviour in the mouse, but are devoid of any behavioural activity in the rat. This suggests that PHLIP-7 and PHLIP-8 have no affinity for brain receptors involved in the behavioural effects evoked by tachykinins in the rat, and that the brain of this animal is lacking in receptors for the N-terminal sequence of tachykinins.