Effect of Hevea brasiliensis latex sap gel on healing of acute skin wounds induced on the back of rats.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the effect of topical delivery of latex cream-gel in acute cutaneous wounds induced on the back of rats. METHODS: we subjected sixteen rats to dermo-epidermal excision of a round dorsal skin flap, with 2.5cm diameter. We divided the animals into two groups: Latex Group: application of cream-gel-based latex throughout the wound bed on postoperative days zero, three, six and nine; CONTROL GROUP: no treatment on the wound. Photographs of the lesions were taken on the procedure day and on the 6th and 14th postoperative days, for analyzing the area and the larger diameter of the wound. We carried out euthanasia of all animals on the 14th postoperative day, when we resected he dorsal skin and the underlying muscle layer supporting the wound for histopathological study. RESULTS: there was no statistically significant difference in the percentage of wound closure, in the histopathological findings or in the reduction of the area and of the largest diameter of the wounds among the groups studied on the 14th postoperative day. CONCLUSION: according to the experimental conditions in which the study was conducted, latex cream-gel did not interfere in the healing of acute cutaneous wounds in rats.

Effect of Hevea brasiliensis latex sap gel on healing of acute skin wounds induced on the back of rats / Efeito do gel da seiva do látex da Hevea brasiliensis na cicatrização de lesões cutâneas agudas induzidas no dorso de ratos

Objective : to evaluate the effect of topical delivery of latex cream-gel in acute cutaneous wounds induced on the back of rats. Methods : we subjected sixteen rats to dermo-epidermal excision of a round dorsal skin flap, with 2.5cm diameter. We divided the animals into two groups: Latex Group: application of cream-gel-based latex throughout the wound bed on postoperative days zero, three, six and nine; Control group: no treatment on the wound. Photographs of the lesions were taken on the procedure day and on the 6th and 14th postoperative days, for analyzing the area and the larger diameter of the wound. We carried out euthanasia of all animals on the 14th postoperative day, when we resected he dorsal skin and the underlying muscle layer supporting the wound for histopathological study. Results : there was no statistically significant difference in the percentage of wound closure, in the histopathological findings or in the reduction of the area and of the largest diameter of the wounds among the groups studied on the 14th postoperative day. Conclusion : according to the experimental conditions in which the study was conducted, latex cream-gel did not interfere in the healing of acute cutaneous wounds in rats.

Objetivo : avaliar o efeito da administração tópica do gel-creme de látex em feridas cutâneas agudas induzidas no dorso de ratos. Métodos : dezesseis ratos foram submetidos à excisão dermoepidérmica de retalho cutâneo dorsal, circular com 2,5cm de diâmetro. Os animais foram distribuídos em dois grupos, um experimental e outro controle: Grupo Látex- aplicação em todo o leito da ferida do látex em base gel-creme no período zero, no terceiro, no sexto e no nono dias pós-operatórios; Grupo Controle- sem nenhum tratamento sobre a ferida. Foram feitas fotografias das lesões no dia da operação, no sexto e no 14º dia pós-operatório, para análise de área e do maior diâmetro da ferida. Realizou-se a eutanásia de todos os animais no 14º dia pós-operatório. Ressecou-se a pele dorsal e o plano muscular subjacente contendo a ferida para estudo histopatológico. Resultados : não houve diferença estatisticamente significante no percentual de fechamento, nos achados histopatológicos ou na redução da área e do maior diâmetro das feridas, entre os grupos estudados no 14º dia pós-operatório. Conclusão : nas condições experimentais em que o estudo foi realizado, o gel-creme de látex não interferiu na cicatrização de feridas cutâneas agudas em ratos.

Knowledge about COPD among users of primary health care services.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is often underdiagnosed, which might be attributable to a lack of knowledge about the disease among the general population. The objective of this study was to evaluate COPD-related knowledge among primary care users in an urban area in Brazil. METHODS: This study was carried out at primary care clinics (PCCs), including 12 general PCCs and 26 family health PCCs, in the city of Goiânia, Brazil. Between May 2013 and February 2014, we interviewed 674 PCC users, applying a questionnaire designed to assess COPD-related knowledge. Satisfactory knowledge of COPD was defined as knowing at least two of its symptoms and that smoking is a risk factor for the disease. RESULTS: Of the 674 users interviewed, only 9.2% recognized the term "COPD", 75.1% recognized the term "emphysema", and 15.7% did not recognize either term. We found that recognizing either term was associated with a higher level of education (P<0.001). The prevalence of satisfactory knowledge of COPD was 16.2%, and having such knowledge was associated with being over 60 years of age. The COPD symptom known by the greatest proportion of users (70.6%) was dyspnea, and most (87.5%) knew that smoking is a risk factor, whereas only a few (4.9%) knew that exposure to wood smoke is also a risk factor. The most frequently cited sources of knowledge were the media (43.1%) and a relative with COPD (36.4%). CONCLUSION: Most of the PCC users evaluated did not know the term "COPD" but were familiar with the term "emphysema". The level of basic knowledge about the disease was low in this population. These results should alert health care administrators to the need for interventions aimed at increasing the diagnosis rate and thus promoting the early treatment of COPD.

Effects of carbon dioxide therapy on the healing of acute skin wounds induced on the back of rats.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the healing effect of carbon dioxide therapy on skin wounds induced on the back of rats. METHODS: Sixteen rats underwent excision of a round dermal-epidermal dorsal skin flap of 2.5 cm in diameter. The animals were divided into two groups, as follows: carbon dioxide group - subcutaneous injections of carbon dioxide on the day of operation and at three, six and nine days postoperatively; control group - no postoperative wound treatment. Wounds were photographed on the day of operation and at six and 14 days postoperatively for analysis of wound area and major diameter. All animals were euthanized on day 14 after surgery. The dorsal skin and the underlying muscle layer containing the wound were resected for histopathological analysis. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between groups in the percentage of wound closure, in histopathological findings, or in the reduction of wound area and major diameter at 14 days postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Under the experimental conditions in which this study was conducted, carbon dioxide therapy had no effects on the healing of acute skin wounds in rats.

Effects of carbon dioxide therapy on the healing of acute skin wounds induced on the back of rats

PURPOSE: To evaluate the healing effect of carbon dioxide therapy on skin wounds induced on the back of rats. METHODS: Sixteen rats underwent excision of a round dermal-epidermal dorsal skin flap of 2.5 cm in diameter. The animals were divided into two groups, as follows: carbon dioxide group - subcutaneous injections of carbon dioxide on the day of operation and at three, six and nine days postoperatively; control group - no postoperative wound treatment. Wounds were photographed on the day of operation and at six and 14 days postoperatively for analysis of wound area and major diameter. All animals were euthanized on day 14 after surgery. The dorsal skin and the underlying muscle layer containing the wound were resected for histopathological analysis. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between groups in the percentage of wound closure, in histopathological findings, or in the reduction of wound area and major diameter at 14 days postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Under the experimental conditions in which this study was conducted, carbon dioxide therapy had no effects on the healing of acute skin wounds in rats.