We compared the NaOH-N-acetyl cysteine (NaOH-NALC) and the sulfuric acid decontamination procedure in the detection of mycobacteria using the Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT). In total 219 sputum specimens were collected from 142 Zambian patients and subjected to mycobacterial culture. One half of the specimen was decontaminated with NaOH-NALC and ...

The author recommends that, contrary to currently accepted protocol, patients undergo skin testing before receiving injectable hyaluronic acid (HA) gel fillers. The risk of hypersensitivity to HA gel fillers, although low compared with bovine collagen, is a factor to consider. As larger volumes of fillers are injected, more extensive and ...

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of the specimen-processing method that uses the detergent C18-carboxypropylbetaine (CB-18) on the sensitivity of acid-fast bacillus (AFB) staining. Vietnamese immigrants with abnormal chest radiographs provided up to three sputum specimens, which were examined for acid-fast bacilli by use of direct ...

An experimental model of pressure-induced optic nerve damage would greatly facilitate the understanding of the cellular events leading to ganglion cell death, and how they are influenced by intraocular pressure and other risk factors associated to glaucoma. The aim of the present report was to study the effect of a ...

We report a case of serous cystadenoma of the pancreas mixed with mucinous cystadenoma. A 65-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for evaluation of a palpable, elastic, hard mass measuring 6 cm in diameter in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. A diagnosis of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the ...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the application of hematoxylin, safranin, light green and picric acid as counterstain in sperm immunohistochemistry. This is important to visualize the best staining procedure and to determine the advantage of picric acid as a counterstain in some situations. Picric acid used for ...

Apoptosis is characterized by DNA strand breaks with a 3'-OH terminus, which are analyzed by terminal deoxy(d)-UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Proteinase K digestion is thought to be an essential step in the TUNEL procedure. The effects of decalcifying reagents on general staining and the TUNEL assay for cartilage sections ...

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring polyanionic, polysaccharide that consists of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and beta-glucoronic acid. It is present in the intercellular matrix of most vertebrate connective tissues especially skin where it has a protective, structure stabilizing and shock-absorbing role. The unique viscoelastic nature of HA along with its biocompatibility ...

BACKGROUND: Injectable hyaluronic acid was introduced to European markets in 1996 and has demonstrated a high safety profile. We describe the first reported case of angioedema-type hypersensitivity following injection of the upper lip with non-animal-stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) gel. OBJECTIVE: To report a case and discuss a potential mechanism for ...

By studying Lonomia obliqua (caterpillar) venom we were able to detect a lytic activity on purified hyaluronic acid. The venom hydrolyses purified chondroitin sulphate, but was unable to degrade either heparan sulphate or dermatan sulphate. Moreover, through purified hyaluronic acid-degrading kinetic assays, we observed that this lytic activity was caused ...

A 62-year-old woman received injections of Restylane, cross-linked hyaluronic acid, for the cosmetic filling of facial rhytids and developed a severe dermal inflammatory reaction. Hyaluronidase administered directly in the inflammatory nodules resulted in rapid resolution of pain, palpable nodularity, and visible induration possibly due to dissolution of the hyaluronic acid.

There is no ideal filler, nor will there be a single product that can satisfy all requirements. However, RESTYLANE, a non-animal, stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA, Medicis), is a very versatile augmenting agent. It has been in clinical use for 8 years and experience has shown it to be close to ...

We compared the concentration of hyaluronic acid in the aqueous humor of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients and non-glaucomatous patients. Aqueous humor samples were obtained from 22 patients just before trabeculectomy for clinically uncontrolled POAG (POAG group). Aqueous humor (0.1 mL) was aspirated by inserting a 26-gauge needle into the ...

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a major component of human synovial fluid, providing the rheologic properties (elasticity and viscosity) that enable the synovial fluid to perform lubricating and shock-absorbing functions within the healthy joint. Over the last 2 decades, HA preparations have become established in intra-articular therapy of osteoarthritis (OA), particularly ...

We introduce a novel versatile phosphoramidite building block for the modification of oligonucleotides (ONs) with acyl hydrazides on the 5'- or 3'-terminus, or both. The reaction of these hydrazide functionalized ONs with 4-methoxyphenylaldehyde is demonstrated for solution derivatization. Hydrazides are considered nowadays as promising reactants, which show enhanced reactivity at ...

Hyaluronic acid is a natural polysaccharide found abundantly throughout the body with many desirable properties for application as a biomaterial, including scaffolding for tissue engineering. In this work, hyaluronic acid with molecular weights ranging from 50 to 1100 kDa was modified with methacrylic anhydride and photopolymerized into networks with a ...

The effects of the addition of lysozyme and forced aeration on the rheological properties and production of hyaluronic acid by Streptococcus zooepidemicus were investigated. Lysozyme was added to the culture broth in two pulses during the exponential and stationary phases of a fermentation carried out in a rotary shaker (150 ...

Diffuse global granulomatous glomerulonephritis with unique morphological characters was detected in a pig. The structure of the basement membrane of glomerular tufts was destroyed in almost all glomeruli. Various inflammatory cells consisted mainly of macrophages infiltrated severely into the glomerular tuft and the Bowman's space of and extended to the ...

A novel hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogel was prepared through polyion complex (PIC) formation between cationic polylactide (PLA)-based microspheres (MS+) and hyaluronic acid (HA-) as an anionic polyelectrolyte. The MS+ and HA formed a biodegradable PIC hydrogel (HA-/MS+) when mixed in aqueous media. The swelling behavior and mechanical properties of the ...

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a commercially valuable medical biopolymer increasingly produced through microbial fermentation. Viscosity limits product yield and the focus of research and development has been on improving the key quality parameters, purity and molecular weight. Traditional strain and process optimisation has yielded significant improvements, but appears to have ...

Electrically conductive polypyrrole (PPY) was surface functionalized with hyaluronic acid (HA) and sulfated hyaluronic acid (SHA) to improve its surface biocompatibility. The immobilization of HA on the PPY film was facilitated by the use of a cross-linker having the appropriate functional groups. The biological activity of the HA functionalized PPY ...

Dermalive, an injectable skin filler composed of a combination of synthetic hyaluronic acid and acrylic hydrogel particles was recently developed for soft tissue augmentation. Dermalive produces longer term results than temporary injectable fillers and is associated with a reportedly low incidence of adverse reactions. We describe a marked local reaction ...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of nonanimal stabilized hyaluronic acid as an injectable filling agent. DESIGN: Nonrandomized, retrospective, interventional case series. RESULTS: A total of 1446 consecutive patients (1029 women and 417 men) underwent intradermal injection of commercially available nonanimal stabilized hyaluronic acid (2242 treatments) for the enhancement of lip ...

Soft tissue augmentation has revolutionized the treatment of the aging face. It is a technique in which a substance is injected under the skin. The concept of utilizing materials for soft tissue augmentation actually began around 1950 with the use of fluid silicone. Today we have a large armamentarium of ...

The preparation and use of multiple polymers attached to a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor for optimization of signal enhancement and minimization of fouling during sensing of biological species has been achieved. These polymers are advantageous compared to the current practice of carboxymethylated-dextran (CM-dextran). The polymers offer a wide range ...

The influence of the molecular weight on mucoadhesive and penetration enhancement properties of three grades of hyaluronic acid (1878, 693 and 202 kDa) has been evaluated. The mucoadhesive properties were investigated using buccal and vaginal porcine mucosa by means of a tensile stress method and using rat jejunum by means ...

Congenital grouped albinotic retinal pigment epithelial spots (CGARPES) is a rare retinal pigment epithelium disease with multiple, white spots, generally involving the peripheral retina, with variable angiographic pattern. A 46-year-old male affected by CGARPES underwent fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green videoangiography. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated an early hyperfluorescence of the spots. ...

Controlled release technology has been applied extensively in providing prolonged duration local anesthesia. Here we used modified hyaluronic acids (HAs; hydrazide and aldehyde) that cross-link upon mixing, as the vehicle for bupivacaine. We assessed the formulations' efficacy and biocompatibility in a rat model of sciatic nerve blockade. We found that ...

In synovial fluid, hyaluronic acid (HA) is an essential component for the lubrication of joints, thus preventing friction. The relationship between HA and joint friction is not unambiguously established yet. In the present study, the effect of the application of HA on the frictional coefficient in the temporomandibular joint was ...

Viscoelastic characteristics of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) preparations with various additives were analyzed with creep curves, stress-strain relationships, and the storage modulus with reference to those of ADM preparations crosslinked with glutaraldehyde. Creep curves for all ADM preparations were determined to comply with the Kelvin-Voigt model. The stress-strain plots of ...

Injectable synthetic hyaluronic acid is biodegradable and biocompatible with human hyaluronic acid. Soft tissue augmentation with this product does not require prior skin testing and provides robust augmentation. Its ability to attract and maintain significant amounts of water accounts for the volume and duration of correction that persists until the ...

STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS: To determine whether topical prednisolone affected sinus mucosal healing in a sheep animal model. METHODS OF STUDY: A standardised sheep model with concurrent Oestrus ovus infection was utilised. Following full thickness nasal mucosal injuries, hyaluronic acid packs soaked with prednisolone were applied to one side of the ...

The major component of localized cutaneous amyloids may be derived from cytokeratin (CK). However, the CK profiles of primary cutaneous amyloidosis (PCA) and secondary cutaneous amyloidosis (SCA) remain obscure. Paraffin-embedded sections of skin tissue from 64 patients with PCA, 111 with SCA and 3 with systemic amyloidosis were analyzed immunohistochemically ...

Hylaform is a new facial filler composed of hyaluronic acid. Hylaform is derived from an avian source, and is a clear gel substance. Skin testing is not necessary, although rare allergic reactions can occur form the avian protein content. Hylaform is injected into the dermis to add volume and provide ...

A 10-year-old terrier crossbreed presented with a change in bark intonation of 3-4 month's duration and pronounced panting. Four variably sized masses were observed within the oral cavity. The largest mass was located within the parenchyma at the caudal region of the tongue. Others were located on the left arytenoid, ...

Soft tissue augmentation plays an important role in facial rejuvenation. To accomplish this goal, numerous materials have been used. Hyaluronic acids represent the latest family of products to become available in the United States. This article provides an introduction to the proper use of Restylane, the first hyaluronic acid product ...

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To study prognostic value of different biochemical markers for morphological progression of early knee osteoarthritis. DESIGN: A total of 89 patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) were enroled into the study. The follow-up period was 2 years. Radiological OA progression was evaluated by measuring joint space width. Pentosidine was ...

To assess the prolongation of epidural bupivacaine by hyaluronic acid viscous formulations we designed a cross-over study in rabbits. Different doses of bupivacaine (3 or 6 mg) either as a solution (bupivacaine hydrochloride), or as viscous formulations with hyaluronic acid (bupivacaine base and bupivacaine hydrochloride) were administered in a rabbit ...

Vitreous humor is a suitable specimen for postmortem clinical chemistry because the analytes remain relatively stable after death and they closely reflect blood levels immediately prior to death. The viscous nature of vitreous fluid, however, presents analytical problems including imprecision and inaccuracy. Various preanalytical treatments, such as boiling, high speed ...

We have investigated the effects of the intra-operative application of a combination of hyaluronic acid and amniotic membrane on adhesions in the flexor tendons of a chicken model. We used 144 tendons which were partially divided and then repaired by a modified Kessler technique. There were four test groups: group ...

BACKGROUND: The magnitude of the therapeutic effects of intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid on osteoarthritis of the knee is still in question. The aim of this meta-analysis was to elucidate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid for osteoarthritis of the knee. METHODS: We conducted a ...

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Magnification endoscopy after contrast enhancement with acetic acid or staining with methylene blue has been reported to be highly accurate in predicting specialized intestinal metaplasia (SIM) in Barrett's esophagus. So far, however, no data have been published on the interobserver and intra-observer variability of these new ...

In order to evaluate the capacity of laser scanning cytometry (LSC) to detect acid-fast bacilli directly on clinical samples, a comparison between Kinyoun-stained smears analyzed under light microscopy and propidium iodide-auramine-stained smears analyzed by LSC was performed. The results were compared with those for culture on BACTEC MGIT 960. LSC ...

Chitosan-gelatin-hyaluronic acid scaffolds for tissue regeneration were fabricated by freezing and lyophilizing methods. The scaffolds showed a higher water uptake and retention abilities than chitosan-gelatin scaffolds did. Fibroblasts cultured in chitosan-gelatin-hyaluronic acid scaffolds grew and proliferated well, and they exhibited a strong viability. Keratinocytes were co-cultured with fibroblasts in chitosan-gelatin-hyaluronic ...

Since its introduction into clinical practice in 1967 by Charles Fox Jr., silver sulfadiazine has been the gold standard for topical burn therapy. The addition to it of hyaluronic acid, which forms a substantial part of the human tissue intercellular matrix, is aimed at overcoming one of its very few ...

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the histomorphologic impact of acute otitis media on the subepithelial glands of the eustachian tube. Previous investigations have shown an increase of eustachian tube goblet cell density during and up to at least 6 months after acute otitis media. STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal study in an experimental animal ...

Both hyaluronic acid and fibronectin localizations were examined in the upper surface layer of rat mandibular condylar cartilages by immunohistochemical techniques. Their delicate structure was successfully preserved by preparation procedures of joint condyles with disks. Paraformaldehyde-fixed cartilaginous tissues were cut in a cryostat, and cryosections were analyzed using streptavidin-peroxidase and ...

The aim of this work is to obtain a chemically cross-linked hydrogel from hyaluronic acid and cellulose derivatives that exhibits sensitivity to variation of the composition of the external absorbing medium and an equilibrium sorption capacity higher than a common hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel, in view of its potential use in ...

Condensation of 1,3-dihydro-2,3-dioxo-2H-indoles (la-c) with galactaric acid bis hydrazide (2) gave the corresponding galactaric acid bis[2-(1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-3H-indol-3-ylidene)hydrazides] (3a-c). Acetylation of the latter compounds with acetic anhydride in the presence of pyridine at ambient temperature gave the 2,3,4,5-tetra-O-acetylgalactaric acid bis[2-(1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-1-substituted-3H-indol-3-ylidene)hydrazides] (4b-d). Heterocyclization of the tetra-O-acetates 4b-d by heating with thionyl chloride afforded ...

A gelatin/hyaluronic acid (GH) sponge has been fabricated by freeze-drying and cross-linking. The GH sponge was insoluble when cross-linked with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide. The morphologies of sponges were investigated using a field emission scanning electron microscope. The porosity of the GH sponge increased with hyaluronic acid content. The GH sponge was ...