摘要：Purpose:? Acute radiation dermatitis is a common side-effect of radiotherapy in breast cancer and has a profound impact on patients’ quality of life, due to pain and discomfort. The aim of this study is to compare the effect of β-sitosterol (Mebo) ointment to trolamine (Biafine) cream for the prevention and treatment of radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant radiation therapy. Materials and Methods:? This is a prospective open-label randomized phase III study developed to assess the efficacy of 2 topical agents used for management of acute radiation dermatitis. Female breast cancer patients who needed a course of radiation therapy in our institution were enrolled and randomized into 2 groups 1 with Mebo ointment and 1 with Biafine cream. Both medications were applied twice per day during the whole period of treatment and skin reactions and related symptoms were assessed weekly during the entire course. Grading of skin reactions was done according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group grading system. Results:? Between September 2015 and May 2017, a total of 161 patients were recruited for this trial. Mean age was similar for both groups (50.19±12.57 vs. 51.73±11.23, respectively, P=0.41). All other patients and treatment characteristics were similar in both groups, except for the use of boost (82.7% in the Biafine group vs. 36.7% in Mebo group, P=0.012). Analysis was done for reactions recorded before the beginning of the boost and for the entire course including the boost. Using univariate and multivariate analysis, there was no significant difference in grades 2 and 3 dermatitis between the 2 groups. However, the incidence of severe pruritus and severe local skin pain were both significantly reduced in the Mebo group (14.1% in Biafine vs. 2.9% in Mebo, P=0.016 for pruritus and 11.5% vs. 1.4%, respectively, P=0.02 for severe pain). Conclusions:? This study showed no difference between Mebo and Biafine in the incidence and severity of breast skin dermatitis during radiation therapy. However, the use of Mebo ointment was associated with decreased severe pruritus and pain which could positively affect patient comfort and quality of life.

摘要：New hopes in cell therapies have steadily arisen with ongoing progress in stem cell research, and innumerable conditions could be now treated and cured, from musculoskeletal injuries to diabetes to cardiac failure, to cite but a few, with the appropriate stem cells available. Arguably, the ideal therapeutic stem cells are those that naturally heal, repair, and replenish the target tissue in life, and research from the last decades has uncovered the presence of such committed, specialized stem cells in most organs. However, these cell lineage-specific regenerative cells are rare, difficult to identify and purify, and virtually impossible to culture for amplification as functionally intact, undifferentiated units. For this reason, and with the notable exception of hematopoietic stem cells, these are not presently amenable to clinical utilization.From the 1980's, Prof. Rongxiang Xu developed the theory that some of the pluripotent stem cells that build the embryo in early development also establish through adult life a minor subset of cells which, although seemingly terminally differentiated, retain strong multi-lineage developmental potential. He called these "potential regenerative cells" (PRCs), proposing these can be recruited into tissue repair and regeneration when no other progenitor cells are available (1). Although this hypothesis could not be fully tested experimentally at the time, it later turned out as strikingly visionary: on the one hand, it was demonstrated that mature cells can be reprogrammed into stem cells in culture, a discovery rewarded by attribution of the Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology in 2012 (2). Hence, transition from a functional, specialized cell back into a naïve, unbiased stem cell is, biologically, feasible and might explain the persistence of Rongxiang Xu's PRCs in adult organs. Another example in support of PRC existence refers to mesenchymal stem cells. MSCs are multipotent cells that can differentiate in culture into bone, cartilage, fat, tendon, muscle, and indirectly support, via growth factor secretion, the regeneration of multiple other tissues (3). This extraordinary potential has stimulated the use of MSCs in over 2000 clinical trials in attempts to treat multiple conditions in cardiology, orthopaedics, cancerology, nephrology, and many other specialties including medical immunology, since MSCs are also immunosuppressive (see clinicaltrials.gov). Despite such a popularity, progress in MSC science has long been hindered by the unknown identity of native, tissueresident mesenchymal stem cells, since these cells appear and expand in extended cultures of total, unselected cell populations dissociated from bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord, or other organs. Put in other words, MSCs are normally produced in vitro from elusive, rare ancestor cells that have long resisted description. This changed when multicolour, stringent flow cytometry cell sorting and sensitive differentiation assays were used for MSC prospective identification. In full support of the PRC concept proposed by Rongxiang Xu, innate tissue resident mesenchymal stem cells turned out to be differentiated perivascular cells of documented function. Pericytes, which enwrap capillaries and microvessels, regulate blood pressure and control angiogenesis. Equivalent cells populate the tunica adventitia at the periphery of larger blood vessels. Both purified pericytes and adventicytes give rise to bona fide mesenchymal stem cells when cultured in vitro (4,5). The use of transgenic reporter mice, in which cell lineages can be tracked dynamically, has confirmed the progenitor cell potential of perivascular cells in vivo (6). In aggregate, all these results have confirmed that differentiated cells can be reprogrammed into regenerative cells in culture and in the living organism, thus supporting Dr Xu's hypothesis on the existence of PRCs in adult organs.Professor Rongxiang Xu contributed to the development of formulations, mostly inspired by traditional Chinese medicine, for stem cell (PRC) stimulation in situ and in culture. Such a supplement, for instance, named GIC, was claimed to regenerate the gastrointestinal mucosa, as well as nerves, in culture. More recently, the LifeRegen Inc. company developed a line of products inspired by Dr Xu's research and patents were issued for a proprietary blend of natural ingredients produced via an original manufacturing process. All LifeRegen protocols rely on the infusion of combined black sesame oil, skullcap root, and beeswax. These products are considered GRAS (generally recognized as safe) by the FDA, and represent a scientific breakthrough merging ancient Chinese medicine recipes and Rongxiang Xu's groundbreaking results that are, moreover, being supported and extended by ongoing current research. More precisely, GI Balance and Juvenate Skincare are LifeRegen's proprietary formulations developed to nurture and renew the gut lining and create a cellular, rejuvenation promoting protective barrier for the skin, respectively.The insightful Prof. Rongxiang Xu predicted that some of the cells that constitute developed organs retain stem potential, and hence can be qualified as "potentially regenerative cells", and devised formulations that can stimulate such cells into tissue regeneration. He left us a rich legacy of centers at prestigious institutions, such as the Rongxiang Xu Center for Regenerative Therapeutics at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, the Rongxiang Xu Center for Regenerative Life Science at the University of Southern California, and the Rongxiang Xu College of Health and Human Services at Cal state LA.The LifeRegen company has resumed and considerably amplified and diversified Dr Xu's approach to regenerative medicine, and is now sponsoring clinical studies for the GI Balance supplement that in previous published research enabled regeneration and rejuvenation of the entire gut mucosa within 6 months. In a more fundamental investigation perspective, PRCs have been prospectively identified and characterized in depth, for instance as pericytes and other perivascular elements, and can be purified to homogeneity and in large numbers from multiple organs (3). This opens unforeseen possibilities in regenerative medicine research whereby such well-characterized potential regenerative cells can be selected from the bone marrow, pancreas, skin, adipose tissue and other organs and treated with natural supplements for enhanced proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Such protocols should be initialized in culture and further developed in vivo by transplantation into relevant animal hosts. In perspective are novel biomolecular manoeuvres to drive the improved healing and replenishment of, for instance but not exclusively, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and epithelial tissues.

摘要：Objective: Many topicals claim an efficacious role in skin scar management with limited evidence. Our aim is to present a clear format for functional testing of a skin scarring ointment, using noninvasive and invasive measurements, categorizing findings under the physiological, structural, and mechanical parameters of a scar., Approach: A double-blinded, randomized volunteer research study of 45 subjects receiving an ointment composing of natural ingredients against a widely used antiscarring topical used as a positive control with temporal sequential punch biopsies (up to 16 weeks) was evaluated using noninvasive quantitative devices and validated by gene and protein studies., Results: Outcome measures included physiological, mechanical, and structural features of scars. Significant non-invasive findings included an increase in skin hydration (p?<?0.05) at week (W) 4, 8, and 12, and elasticity (W16; p?=?0.009). These findings were validated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Hyaluronic acid IHC (W4 p?=?0.014, W12 p?=?0.034, and W16 p?=?0.042), qRT-PCR (W16 p?=?0.049); Collagen I (W16 p?=?0.034, and 0.049) IHC and qRT-PCR, respectively. Collagen III qRT-PCR (W12 p?=?0.035, and W16 p?=?0.32); elastin IHC (W12 p?=?0.044); and fibronectin IHC (W4 p?=?0.009, W12 p?=?0.038, and W16 p = 0.026)., Innovation: Utilizing this model allows for quantitative, objective evaluation of any topical, where previously there has been a paucity of relevant methods to evaluate their effect., Conclusions: The positive effect of a topical formulation with an unknown mechanism of action on early cutaneous scar maturation over progressive sequential time points is now evidenced using noninvasive and invasive techniques with the findings categorized on the basis of scarring parameters.

摘要：Objective:The objective is to outline the overall health scene as it is in New Zealand and to demonstrate that there is tremendous potential for the increased use of Moist Exposed Burn Therapy(MEBT)across a wide variety of health care facilities within New Zealand.Method:The presentation allows me to share with you evidence from clini- cal based practice and examples of how and where MEBT and the product Moist Exposed Burn Ointment(MEBO)has been used within New Zealand' s health services.This will include evidence from other nursing colleagues who work in the Aged Care sector or in the New Zealand community.Result:My experiences in the clinical field have enabled me to see that there is much that can be done through education for nurses by professional nurse educators. Currently there is little or no funding available to Nurse Educators for them to be able to provide the required education and training,or to be able to introduce the correct clini- cal techniques of MEBT into our heahhcare profession. Patients who require wound management and have been treated using the MEBT method are provided with sustained wound healing,improved outcomes and consequently an improved quality of life. New Zealand health providers are beginning to realize that use of MEBT and MEBO is a cost effective form of treatment.Not only in monetary terms but in ethical and physiolog- ical terms as well.At this point in time however,there is evidence that nurses will experi- ment with products such as MEBO but revert back to techniques and products they know and are comfortable with in day to day nursing situations. It can therefore be concluded that New Zealand nurses do not have adequate knowl- edge or understanding of the clinical application of MEBT/MEBO to achieve the optimum results for their patients. Ongoing education is essential to ensure that nurses,who are using MEBT,under- stand the principals of MEBT and follow the correct clinical application. There has been evidence,during my clinical practice,of New Zealand nurses using MEBT alongside the current New Zealand wound management techniques and this combi- nation has often led to a misunderstanding about MEBT and the incorrect use of MEBO. As a result the patient outcomes are often substandard compared with the recommen- ded MEBT practice and the resulting potential for the increased quality of life is not fully realized by patient or practitioner. With the acceptance of a changing methodology and its education within the New Zea- land nursing culture,there is significant potential for this wound management concept to be widely used,particularly within the Aged Care and Disabilities sectors within New Zea- land prior to registration of MEBO being granted. With the full registration of the MEBO product,we will be able to use this treatment to its full potential to provide improved patient outcomes and an increase in quality of life for patients within New Zealand. My clinical knowledge of MEBT has helped me to initiate a starting point of MEBT education in New Zealand-currently focused on regional nurse education and community awareness.This will help facilitate the understanding,enthusiasm and commitment for this treatment across New Zealand and enable nurses to gain the necessary support to bring a- bout this change in wound management.