Injection of Illicit Drugs Into the Granulation Tissue of Chronic Ulcers

Background: Chronic non-healing ulcers; particularly diabetic and venous ulcers impose a major healthcare burden and affect quality of living. Efficacy of conventional strategies used for treatment of chronic non-healing ulcers is limited due to factors like microbial infection, necrotic tissues, tissue hypoxia, and other prevailing co-morbidities. The aim of the study was to compare efficiency of topical phenytoin-based dressings to conventional saline-based dressings for treatment of chronic non-healing wound ulcers.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 60 patients who were divided in two groups. First group received conventional saline dressing-based treatment and second received topical phenytoin dressing based treatment for chronic non-healing ulcers. Efficiency of the treatment strategy was determined by statistically comparing parameters like duration of hospital stay, nature of discharge, appearance of healthy granulation tissue, and pus culture evaluation upon admission and post one and two weeks of treatment.Results: Diabetes and trauma were observed to be two major causes of chronic non-healing ulcers. No cases of venous impairment and osteomyelitis were observed in participating patients. Topical phenytoin dressing based treatment significantly reduced the duration of hospital stay and number of patients with serous discharge and aided in rapid formation of healthy granulation tissue in comparison to conventional saline based dressings. Topical phenytoin dressings also prevented microbial infection and colonization on chronic non-healing ulcers.Conclusions: Topical phenytoin-based dressing was concluded to efficiently and rapidly heal chronic ulcers while preventing microbial infection in comparison to conventional saline-based dressings.

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Effect of limited access dressing on hydroxyproline and enzymatic antioxidant status in nonhealing chronic ulcers

Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery ◽

10.4103/0970-0358.138952 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 47 (02) ◽

pp. 216-220 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Thittamaranahalli Muguregowda Honnegowda ◽

Pramod Kumar ◽

Padmanabha Udupa ◽

Pragna Rao ◽

Siddhartha Bhandary ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wound Healing ◽

Glutathione Peroxidase ◽

Granulation Tissue ◽

Total Protein ◽

Antioxidant Status ◽

Enzymatic Antioxidants ◽

Anabolic Effect ◽

Glutathione S Transferase ◽

Limited Access ◽

Chronic Ulcers

ABSTRACT Background: Healing ability of nonhealing chronic ulcers can be assessed by estimating hydroxyproline, total protein and enzymatic antioxidants such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST) in the granulation tissue. Materials and Method: A total of 34 patients were analysed from two groups: Limited access dressing (LAD) group (n = 17) and conventional dressing group (n = 17). Results: Patients treated with LAD that exerts combination of intermittent negative pressure and moist wound-healing had shown a significant increase in the hydroxyproline (P = 0.026), total protein (P = 0.004), GPx level (P = 0.030) and GST level (P = 0.045). Conclusion: Patients treated with LAD indicated significantly better anabolic effect on wound-healing compared to that of patients treated with conventional dressing.

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Emergency Department Admission and Mortality Rate for Suicidal Behavior

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000282 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 35 (6) ◽

pp. 406-414 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Raimondo Maria Pavarin ◽

Angelo Fioritti ◽

Francesca Fontana ◽

Silvia Marani ◽

Alessandra Paparelli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Metropolitan Area ◽

Suicidal Behavior ◽

Mortality Risk ◽

Illicit Drugs ◽

Attempted Suicide ◽

Cox Model ◽

Emergency Department Admission ◽

Completed Suicide

Background: The international literature reports that for every completed suicide there are between 8 and 22 visits to an Emergency Department (ED) for attempted suicide/suicidal behavior. Aims: To describe the characteristics of admission to emergency departments (EDs) for suicide-related presenting complaints in the metropolitan area of Bologna; to estimate the risk for all-cause mortality and for suicide; to identify the profiles of subjects most at risk. Method: Follow-up of patients admitted to the EDs of the metropolitan area of Bologna between January 2004 and December 2010 for attempted suicide. A Cox model was used to evaluate the association between sociodemographic variables and the general mortality risk. Results: We identified 505 cases of attempted suicide, which were more frequent for female subjects, over the weekend, and at night (8:00 p.m./8:00 a.m.). The most used suicide methods were psychotropic drugs, sharp or blunt objects, and jumping from high places. In this cohort, 3.6% of subjects completed suicide (4.5% of males vs. 2.9% of females), 2.3% within 1 year of the start of follow-up. The most common causes of death were drug use and hanging. In the multivariate analysis, those who used illicit drugs 24 hr prior to admission to the ED (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.46, 95% CI = 1.23–9.73) and patients who refused the treatment (HR = 6.74, 95% CI = 1.86–24.40) showed an increased mortality risk for suicide. Conclusion: Deliberate self-harm patients presenting to the ED who refuse treatment represent a specific target group for setting up dedicated prevention schemes.

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The Use of Prescription Drugs and Drugs of Abuse for Neuroenhancement in Europe

European Psychologist ◽

10.1027/1016-9040/a000228 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 155-166 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Larissa J. Maier ◽

Michael P. Schaub

Keyword(s):

Prescription Drugs ◽

Illicit Drugs ◽

Adverse Reactions ◽

Low Dose ◽

Drugs Of Abuse ◽

Mental Performance ◽

Or Education ◽

Learning Techniques ◽

Monitoring The Future ◽

Definition Of

Abstract. Pharmacological neuroenhancement, defined as the misuse of prescription drugs, illicit drugs, or alcohol for the purpose of enhancing cognition, mood, or prosocial behavior, is not widespread in Europe – nevertheless, it does occur. Thus far, no drug has been proven as safe and effective for cognitive enhancement in otherwise healthy individuals. European studies have investigated the misuse of prescription and illicit stimulants to increase cognitive performance as well as the use of tranquilizers, alcohol, and cannabis to cope with stress related to work or education. Young people in educational settings report pharmacological neuroenhancement more frequently than those in other settings. Although the regular use of drugs for neuroenhancement is not common in Europe, the irregular and low-dose usage of neuroenhancers might cause adverse reactions. Previous studies have revealed that obtaining adequate amounts of sleep and using successful learning techniques effectively improve mental performance, whereas pharmacological neuroenhancement is associated with ambiguous effects. Therefore, non-substance-related alternatives should be promoted to cope with stressful situations. This paper reviews the recent research on pharmacological neuroenhancement in Europe, develops a clear definition of the substances used, and formulates recommendations for practitioners regarding how to react to requests for neuroenhancement drug prescriptions. We conclude that monitoring the future development of pharmacological neuroenhancement in Europe is important to provide effective preventive measures when required. Furthermore, substance use to cope with stress related to work or education should be studied in depth because it is likely more prevalent and dangerous than direct neuroenhancement.

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