Safety analysis of percutaneous needle electrolysis: a study of needle composition, morphology, and electrical resistance

2021 ◽  
pp. 096452842098800
Author(s):  
Ramón Margalef ◽  
Marc Bosque ◽  
Francisco Minaya-Muñoz ◽  
Fermín Valera-Garrido ◽  
Manel M Santafe

Background: Percutaneous needle electrolysis (PNE) consists of a galvanic current combined with the insertion of a solid needle into the tissues of the musculoskeletal system. The application of a galvanic current through a needle can alter the morphology and composition during treatment application. This procedure may also provoke a localized temperature increase. Aim: The aim was to evaluate the safety of the PNE procedure by analyzing possible alterations of the needles employed. Methods: Physio Invasiva® and AguPunt EPI® brand needles, commonly used for the application of this technique, were analyzed in response to three different treatment protocols. Temperature changes were evaluated with the needles immersed in a test tube containing Ringer’s solution, and electrical resistance was evaluated with a multimeter. The morphology of the needles, pre- and post-treatment, was examined with a scanning electron microscope (FEI Quanta 600), and the composition of the needles was evaluated using RX diffusion with Oxford Instruments software. Results: Ringer’s solution contained in the test tubes examined did not present temperature changes. No changes were observed in the needles under investigation with respect to electrical resistance, morphology, or composition with a protocol applying 3-mA intensity for 3 s and three applications. However, important morphological alterations were observed that affected needle composition after 50 applications (at 3 mA for 3 s). Conclusion: PNE, applied according to conventional protocols, appeared to be safe and athermal, and did not provoke a loss of metal particles or modify the morphology of the needles used when studied in vitro.

2020 ◽  
Vol 03 (01) ◽  
pp. 006-006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramón Margalef ◽  
Francisco Minaya-Muñoz ◽  
Fermín Valera-Garrido ◽  
Marc Bosque ◽  
Manel M. Santafé

Abstract Aim To determine whether sodium chloride electrolysis causes a change in the pH of tissues. Methods The effects of a 3 mA galvanic current has been evaluated, applied for 3 seconds and 3 repetitions (3:3:3). In vitro pH changes were evaluated in three experiments: 1) Eppendorf® tubes filled with Ringer's solution; 2) a very small volume of Ringer's solution (100µl); 3) Eppendorf® tubes filled with saline solution (NaCl 0.9%). The pH changes in the gastrocnemius of mice were evaluated, using the left limb as a control and the right limb for the intervention. The gastrocnemius muscles were ground up and the pH of each group was determined. Results In the in vitro experiments 1 and 2, no variation was observed in the pH of either the cathode in the Ringer's solution or the anode in the Ringer's solution (the variation did not exceed 16% in either of the cases, p> 0.05). In the third in vitro study, the pH after galvanic current application increased by 70% in the saline solution of the cathode and the anode pH decreased by 34% (p < 0.05 in both cases). In the in vivo experiments, no change in pH was obtained (% variation: 0.00 ± 0.00). Conclusions The galvanic current used in percutaneous needle electrolysis applying the 3:3:3 parameters generates very small changes in the pH, in the area near the needle, which the body is able to rapidly compensate for.


1968 ◽  
Vol 19 (03/04) ◽  
pp. 584-592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Lukasiewicz ◽  
S Niewiarowski

Summary and Conclusion1. It has been found that EACA does not inhibit activation of human plasminogen into plasmin by SK and UK in a concentration of 5 × 10–2 M. The activation of bovine plasminogen by SK and UK is inhibited by this concentration of EACA but not by a lower one.2. EACA in concentrations of 1,5 × 10–1 – 10–4 M does not inhibit casein proteolysis by plasmin. The proteolysis of fibrinogen and fibrin measured by the release of TCA soluble tyrosine is inhibited by EACA in concentrations of 1,5 × 10–1 – 10–2 M.3. The lysis of non-stabilized clots by plasmin measured in a test tube was inhibited by an EACA concentration of 5 × 10–3 – 5 × 10–4 M. The lysis of stabilized clots by plasmin was inhibited by an EACA concentration of 10–5 M.4. On the basis of experimental findings and data given in literature the authors postulate that the mechanism of the antifibrinolytic effects of EACA consists mainly in a modification of plasmin action on fibrin. These effects are dependent on the structure of the fibrin clots.


1962 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 423-430
Author(s):  
H. L. Krüskemper ◽  
F. J. Kessler ◽  
E. Steinkrüger

ABSTRACT 1. Reserpine does not inhibit the tissue respiration of liver in normal male rats (in vitro). 2. The decrease of tissue respiration of the liver with simultaneous morphological stimulation of the thyroid gland after long administration of reserpine is due to a minute inhibition of the hormone synthesis in the thyroid gland. 3. The morphological alterations of the thyroid in experimental hypothyroidism due to perchlorate can not be prevented with reserpine.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (16) ◽  
pp. 1949-1965 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Szkaradek ◽  
Daniel Sypniewski ◽  
Dorota Żelaszczyk ◽  
Sabina Gałka ◽  
Paulina Borzdziłowska ◽  
...  

Background: Natural plant metabolites and their semisynthetic derivatives have been used for years in cancer therapy. Xanthones are oxygenated heterocyclic compounds produced as secondary metabolites by higher plants, fungi or lichens. Xanthone core may serve as a template in the synthesis of many derivatives that have broad biological activities. Objective: This study synthesized a series of 17 new xanthones, and their anticancer potential was also evaluated. Methods: The anticancer potential was evaluated in vitro using a highly invasive T24 cancer cell line. Direct cytotoxic effects of the xanthones were established by IC50 estimation based on XTT assay. Results: 5 compounds of the total 17 showed significant cytotoxicity toward the studied cancer cultures and were submitted to further detailed analysis, including studies examining their influence on gelatinase A and B expression, as well as on the cancer cells migration and adhesion to an extracellular matrix. These analyses were carried out on five human tumor cell lines: A2780 (ovarian cancer), A549 (lung cancer), HeLa (cervical cancer), Hep G2 (liver cancer), and T24 (urinary bladder cancer). All the compounds, especially 4, showed promising anticancer activity: they exhibited significant cytotoxicity towards all the evaluated cell lines, including MCF-7 breast cancer, and hindered migration-motility activity of cancer cells demonstrating more potent activity than α-mangostin which served as a reference xanthone. Conclusion: These results suggest that our xanthone derivatives may be further analyzed in order to include them in cancer treatment protocols.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1627
Author(s):  
Tecla Ciociola ◽  
Pier Paolo Zanello ◽  
Tiziana D’Adda ◽  
Serena Galati ◽  
Stefania Conti ◽  
...  

The growing problem of antimicrobial resistance highlights the need for alternative strategies to combat infections. From this perspective, there is a considerable interest in natural molecules obtained from different sources, which are shown to be active against microorganisms, either alone or in association with conventional drugs. In this paper, peptides with the same sequence of fragments, found in human serum, derived from physiological proteins, were evaluated for their antifungal activity. A 13-residue peptide, representing the 597–609 fragment within the albumin C-terminus, was proved to exert a fungicidal activity in vitro against pathogenic yeasts and a therapeutic effect in vivo in the experimental model of candidal infection in Galleria mellonella. Studies by confocal microscopy and transmission and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that the peptide penetrates and accumulates in Candida albicans cells, causing gross morphological alterations in cellular structure. These findings add albumin to the group of proteins, which already includes hemoglobin and antibodies, that could give rise to cryptic antimicrobial fragments, and could suggest their role in anti-infective homeostasis. The study of bioactive fragments from serum proteins could open interesting perspectives for the development of new antimicrobial molecules derived by natural sources.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 619-628
Author(s):  
Chen Yuan ◽  
Ya Mo ◽  
Jie Yang ◽  
Mei Zhang ◽  
Xuejun Xie

AbstractAdvanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) are harmful factors that can damage the inner blood–retinal barrier (iBRB). Rat retinal microvascular endothelial cells (RMECs) were isolated and cultured, and identified by anti-CD31 and von Willebrand factor polyclonal antibodies. Similarly, rat retinal Müller glial cells (RMGCs) were identified by H&E staining and with antibodies of glial fibrillary acidic protein and glutamine synthetase. The transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) value was measured with a Millicell electrical resistance system to observe the leakage of the barrier. Transwell cell plates for co-culturing RMECs with RMGCs were used to construct an iBRB model, which was then tested with the addition of AGEs at final concentrations of 50 and 100 mg/L for 24, 48, and 72 h. AGEs in the in vitro iBRB model constructed by RMEC and RMGC co-culture led to the imbalance of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelial derivative factor (PEDF), and the permeability of the RMEC layer increased because the TEER decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. AGEs increased VEGF but lowered PEDF in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The intervention with AGEs led to the change of the transendothelial resistance of the RMEC layer likely caused by the increased ratio of VEGF/PEDF.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5492
Author(s):  
Dawid Szwedowski ◽  
Joanna Szczepanek ◽  
Łukasz Paczesny ◽  
Jan Zabrzyński ◽  
Maciej Gagat ◽  
...  

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) represents a clinical challenge due to poor potential for spontaneous healing of cartilage lesions. Several treatment options are available for KOA, including oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, braces, activity modification, and finally operative treatment. Intra-articular (IA) injections are usually used when the non-operative treatment is not effective, and when the surgery is not yet indicated. More and more studies suggesting that IA injections are as or even more efficient and safe than NSAIDs. Recently, research to improve intra-articular homeostasis has focused on biologic adjuncts, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The catabolic and inflammatory intra-articular processes that exists in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) may be influenced by the administration of PRP and its derivatives. PRP can induce a regenerative response and lead to the improvement of metabolic functions of damaged structures. However, the positive effect on chondrogenesis and proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) is still highly controversial. Recommendations from in vitro and animal research often lead to different clinical outcomes because it is difficult to translate non-clinical study outcomes and methodology recommendations to human clinical treatment protocols. In recent years, significant progress has been made in understanding the mechanism of PRP action. In this review, we will discuss mechanisms related to inflammation and chondrogenesis in cartilage repair and regenerative processes after PRP administration in in vitro and animal studies. Furthermore, we review clinical trials of PRP efficiency in changing the OA biomarkers in knee joint.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (15) ◽  
pp. 5040
Author(s):  
Silvia Ronda Peñacoba ◽  
Mar Fernández Gutiérrez ◽  
Julio San Román del Barrio ◽  
Francisco Montero de Espinosa

Despite the use of therapeutic ultrasound in the treatment of soft tissue pathologies, there remains some controversy regarding its efficacy. In order to develop new treatment protocols, it is a common practice to carry out in vitro studies in cell cultures before conducting animal tests. The lack of reproducibility of the experimental results observed in the literature concerning in vitro experiments motivated us to establish a methodology for characterizing the acoustic field in culture plate wells. In this work, such acoustic fields are fully characterized in a real experimental configuration, with the transducer being placed in contact with the surface of a standard 12-well culture plate. To study the non-thermal effects of ultrasound on fibroblasts, two different treatment protocols are proposed: long pulse (200 cycles) signals, which give rise to a standing wave in the well with the presence of cavitation (ISPTP max = 19.25 W/cm2), and a short pulse (five cycles) of high acoustic pressure, which produces a number of echoes in the cavity (ISPTP = 33.1 W/cm2, with Pmax = 1.01 MPa). The influence of the acoustic intensity, the number of pulses, and the pulse repetition frequency was studied. We further analyzed the correlation of these acoustic parameters with cell viability, population, occupied surface, and cell morphology. Lytic effects when cavitation was present, as well as mechanotransduction reactions, were observed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Paulina Smyk ◽  
Iga Hołyńska-Iwan ◽  
Dorota Olszewska-Słonina

Background. Propolis and its ethanol extract show positive germicidal, bacteriostatic, and anti-inflammatory antioxidants and regenerative properties after use on the surface of the skin. Propolis is in common use in production of cosmetics and in folk medicine. The influence of this resinous mixture on ion channels, channels located in skin cells membranes and skin electrical resistance, was not explained. Objective. The main aim of the study was the evaluation of electrophysiological skin parameters during mechanical and chemical-mechanical stimulation after use of ethanol extract of propolis and propolis ointment in comparison with iso-osmotic Ringer solution. Methods. Skin fragments were taken from white New Zealand rabbits and distributed into three experimental groups which were incubated in ethanol extract of propolis (EEP), propolis ointment, and Ringer solution. Then they were placed in a Ussing chamber to measure electrophysiological parameters values. Results. In this study the influence of EEP on changes in value of electrical potential during block of chloride ions transport at the same time was observed. Ethanol propolis extract dissolved in water increases the transepidermal sodium ions transport in contrast to propolis ointment. Conclusion. The way of preparation cosmetics, which contain propolis, has effects on transepidermal ions transport in the rabbit’s skin. The value of skin electrical resistance is changing with penetration depth of active propolis substances contained in cosmetics.


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