bromochloroacetic-acid and Bacterial-Infections

In the mammary gland of cattle there is a complex defense system of non-specific and specific reactions available preventing the invasion of pathogenic bacteria. Most infections occur via the teat canal, so teat canal keratin (SKK) is of particular importance in non-specific defense of the gland. The SKK serves as a physical barrier, and bacteriostatic and/or bactericidal effects of SKK lipids and proteins against certain mastitis bacteria could be demonstrated. By increasing the concentrations of lactoferrin and lysozyme in milk a reduction of mastitis frequencies could be observed. However, those high concentrations in the proteins occur only during the dry period of the cow. An improvement of the mastitis situation would also appear possible by increasing phagocytosis. The numerous trials intended to reduce mastitis by improving specific protection showed no significant success. Therefore, the most successful and cheapest means to achieve udder health remains the strict and consistent hygiene of housing, animals and mammary glands.

Topics: Animals; Bacterial Infections; Cattle; Female; Keratins; Lactoferrin; Lipids; Mammary Glands, Animal; Mastitis, Bovine; Milk; Milk Proteins; Muramidase; Phagocytosis

I have tried to briefly review the evidence (summarized in Table II) indicating that fibronectin is important in cutaneous wound healing. Fibronectin appears to be an important factor throughout this process. It promotes the spreading of platelets at the site of injury, the adhesion and migration of neutrophils, monocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells into the wound region, and the migration of epidermal cells through the granulation tissue. At the level of matrix synthesis, fibronectin appears to be involved both in the organization of the granulation tissue and basement membrane. In terms of tissue remodeling, fibronectin functions as a nonimmune opsonin for phagocytosis of debris by fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and under some circumstances, macrophages. Fibronectin also enhances the phagocytosis of immune-opsonized particles by monocytes, but whether this includes phagocytosis of bacteria remains to be determined. In general, phagocytosis of bacteria has not appeared to involve fibronectin. On the contrary, the presence of fibronectin in the wound bed may promote bacterial attachment and infection. Because of the ease of experimental manipulations, wound healing experiments have been carried out on skin more frequently than other tissues. As a result, the possible role of fibronectin has not been investigated thoroughly in the repair of internal organs and tissues. Nevertheless, it seems reasonable to speculate that fibronectin plays a central role in all wound healing situations. Finally, the wound healing problems of patients with severe factor XIII deficiencies may occur because of their inability to incorporate fibronectin into blood clots.

Topics: Animals; Bacterial Infections; Blood Platelets; Cell Adhesion; Cell Movement; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; Endothelium; Epidermis; Factor XIII; Fibroblasts; Fibronectins; Keratins; Monocytes; Neutrophils; Phagocytosis; Skin; Wound Healing

Topics: Age Factors; Animals; Bacterial Infections; Cattle; Disease Susceptibility; Female; Genetic Markers; Immunoglobulins; Keratins; Lactation; Lactoperoxidase; Mammary Glands, Animal; Mastitis, Bovine; Milk; Pregnancy; Vaccination

Keratins are naturally derived proteins that can be fabricated into several biomaterial forms including hydrogels. These materials are a potential polymeric system for several tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications due to their ability to support cell attachment, proliferation, and migration. However, little is known regarding their ability to support sustained release of therapeutic agents. This report describes the use of keratin hydrogels for sustained release of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin, which may prove useful to traumatic injury applications that would benefit from materials promoting tissue regeneration while also preventing acute infection. Hydrogels were formed from keratins obtained by oxidative extraction and known as keratose. We found that keratose hydrogels released ~60% of loaded ciprofloxacin over the first 10 days and that continued release was detectable over the course of 3 weeks. Released ciprofloxacin was bioactive, inhibiting growth of Staphylococcus aureus for 23 days in vitro and for 2 weeks in a mouse subcutaneous model. The rate of ciprofloxacin release was highly correlated with degradation of the keratin hydrogel and not consistent with simple diffusion. Further experiments indicated that ciprofloxacin binds to keratose through electrostatic interactions. These studies demonstrate the specific use of keratose hydrogels for the release of antibiotic and the potential for the more general use of this material in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Bacterial Infections; Biocompatible Materials; Ciprofloxacin; Delayed-Action Preparations; Drug Carriers; Humans; Hydrogels; Keratins; Materials Testing; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Sheep

To determine the behavior of epidermal cells after transplantation in the middle ear.. In a rat model, full-thickness meatal skin grafts were transplanted into the middle ear and studied morphologically and immunohistochemically with the use of antibodies directed against different cytokeratin (Ck) polypeptides, which are markers of different types of epithelial cell differentiation.. The grafts had either transformed into epithelial cysts or had become integrated into the middle ear epithelium. The epithelium of the integrated grafts showed gradual transition into the epithelium of the middle ear. A clear distinction between epidermal cells and middle ear epithelium could be made only on the basis of their Ck profiles. The Ck profiles of the grafts revealed a decrease in the expression of epidermal Cks, while nonepidermal Cks became expressed. These changes can be ascribed to replacement of the dermal mesenchyma by mesenchyma from the middle ear. In two ears with superimposed infection, the graft epithelium showed expansive growth.. Meatal epidermis is well tolerated in the middle ear, but superimposed infection can induce expansive growth. These findings favor the concept that the progressive growth of cholesteatoma is related to the presence of inflammatory processes.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Bacterial Infections; Cell Differentiation; Connective Tissue; Dendritic Cells; Ear Canal; Ear Diseases; Ear, Middle; Epidermal Cyst; Epidermis; Epithelium; Keratinocytes; Keratins; Mesoderm; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Skin; Skin Transplantation; Vimentin

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that odontogenic cysts can be induced by periapical infection. Pulp extirpation and reaming beyond the root apices were performed in 53 lower first molars in 27 Sprague-Dawley rats. The cavities were left open to allow continuous contamination by oral bacteria. Animals were killed at 6 and more than 8 months after operation. Odontogenic cysts were found in association with 8/53 teeth in 6 animals. Histologically, cysts were observed around the lower incisors below the first molars. The cyst wall consisted of fibrous connective tissue with inflammation and was lined with keratinized squamous epithelium. The cyst cavity contained a mass of keratin and necrotic debris. These results support the hypothesis that inflammatory stimulation from the apices can cause cystic changes in the enamel epithelium of underlying teeth.

Topics: Animals; Bacterial Infections; Connective Tissue; Dental Pulp Cavity; Dental Pulp Exposure; Disease Models, Animal; Epithelium; Female; Inflammation; Keratins; Male; Mandibular Diseases; Necrosis; Odontogenic Cysts; Periapical Diseases; Periapical Periodontitis; Pulpectomy; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Root Canal Therapy; Time Factors

Vascular prosthetic graft infection is one of the most catastrophic problems complicating vascular surgery. The purpose of the present study was to determine the efficacy of binding an antibiotic to a vascular prosthesis via a glucosaminoglycan-keratin luminal coating (GKLC). Ten adult mongrel dogs had polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts inserted into the right common carotid artery and PTFE grafts with GKLC bonded with cefoxitin inserted into the left common carotid artery. Before the neck incision was closed, an infusion of 1 X 10(8) Staphylococcus aureus was administered intravenously during a 15-minute period to each dog. Grafts were harvested at 10 different time periods (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 18, 21, and 28 days). At the time of harvesting, cultures were taken of the lumen of each graft. Washout of antibiotic from the graft lumen was determined by measuring zones of inhibition of disks excised from the antibiotic grafts that were placed on S. aureus plates. Results demonstrated that only 1 of the 10 GKLC-cefoxitin grafts was infected compared with 10 of 10 regular PTFE grafts (p less than 0.003). Regression analysis showed antibiotic elution to occur in an exponential fashion (r = 0.9654) with no detectable antibiotic present after 10 days. GKLC with cefoxitin significantly protects the PTFE graft lumen from infection during bacteremia compared with regular PTFE. The role of antibiotic-bound grafts in relation to the use of intravenous antibiotics will need to be determined by further studies.

Topics: Animals; Bacterial Infections; Blood Vessel Prosthesis; Cefoxitin; Dogs; Glycosaminoglycans; Keratins; Polytetrafluoroethylene; Staphylococcal Infections

Rapid intraoperative examination of tissues for fungi is important for the surgical control of infection. Staining of frozen or paraffin-embedded tissues with calcofluor white (CFW) is a rapid nonspecific method for the identification of fungal infection. When viewed with a fluorescence microscope, fungal elements stained with CFW are sharply delineated from surrounding tissue and easily identified. Calcofluor white also stains tissue elements such as keratin, collagen, and elastin, which provide useful landmarks for the examination. To a much lesser degree, bacteria are also stained with CFW.

Topics: Animals; Bacterial Infections; Benzenesulfonates; Candidiasis; Collagen; Elastin; Humans; Keratins; Mice; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Mycoses; Staining and Labeling