84 research outputs found
Portrait of Martha Strudwick Young
No full textThis is a circa 1880 portrait of author and poet, Martha Strudwick Young
Collagen loss and impaired wound healing is associated with c-Myb deficiency
No full textData source: Supporting information, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.access.library.unisa.edu.au/doi/10.1002/path.2113/abstract#footer-support-infoCollagen type I serves as an abundant structural and signalling component of skin. It is also an established target gene of the transcription factor, c-Myb. When c-myb-/- embryos were examined it was observed that their skin was markedly thinner than normal. Importantly, immunohistochemical investigation showed complete absence of collagen type I. Although these homozygous knock-out embryos fail to develop beyond day 15, fibroblasts established from these embryos (mouse embryonic fibroblasts [MEFs]) show defective proliferative responses. Furthermore, in vitro scratch wound assays demonstrated that these c-myb-/- MEFs also exhibit slower closure than their wild-type counterparts. Embryonic lethality has meant that examination of the role of c-Myb in adult mouse skin has not been reported to date. However, in view of the abundance of collagen type I in normal skin, its role in skin integrity and the in vitro data showing proliferative and migration defects in c-myb-/- MEFs, we investigated the consequences of heterozygous c-myb loss in adult mice on the complex process of skin repair in response to injury. Our studies clearly demonstrate that heterozygous c-myb deficiency has a functional effect on wound repair, collagen type I levels and, in response to wounding, transforming growth factor-β1 (an important collagen stimulating factor) induction expression is aberrantly high. Manipulation of c-Myb may therefore provide new therapeutic opportunities for improving wound repair while uncontrolled expression may underpin some fibrotic disorders.Z Kopecki, MM Luchetti, DH Adams, X Strudwick, T Mantamadiotis, A Stoppacciaro, A Gabrielli, RG Ramsay, AJ Cowi
Collagen loss and impaired wound healing is associated with c-Myb deficiency.
No full textCollagen type I serves as an abundant structural and signalling component of skin. It is also an established target gene of the transcription factor, c-Myb. When c-myb−/− embryos were examined it was observed that their skin was markedly thinner than normal. Importantly, immunohistochemical investigation showed complete absence of collagen type I. Although these homozygous knock-out embryos fail to develop beyond day 15, fibroblasts established from these embryos (mouse embryonic fibroblasts [MEFs]) show defective proliferative
responses. Furthermore, in vitro scratch wound assays demonstrated that these c-myb−/− MEFs also exhibit slower closure than their wild-type counterparts. Embryonic lethality has meant that examination of the role of c-Myb in adult mouse skin has not been reported to date. However, in view of the abundance of collagen type I in normal skin, its role in skin integrity and the in vitro data showing proliferative and migration defects in c-myb−/− MEFs, we investigated the consequences of heterozygous c-myb loss in adult mice on the complex process of skin repair in response to injury. Our studies clearly demonstrate that heterozygous c-myb deficiency has a functional effect on wound repair, collagen type I levels and, in response to wounding, transforming growth factor-β1 (an important collagen stimulating factor) induction expression is aberrantly high. Manipulation of c-Myb may therefore provide new therapeutic opportunities for improving wound repair
while uncontrolled expression may underpin some fibrotic disorders
Investigation of helium plasma jet-treated serum and cell media on the viability of skin cells
No full textThis study compares the differences in the viability of skin cells after culturing in cell medium supplemented with helium (He) plasma jet-treated serum and Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM). HaCaT and HDFa cells were used as surrogates for the two major cell types of skin, i.e., keratinocytes and fibroblasts, respectively. A reduction in cell viability was observed for cells cultured in cell media supplemented with He plasma jet-treated serum and DMEM; however, cells were more sensitive to the He plasma jet-treated serum. HaCaT cells were more sensitive to He plasma jet-treated serum compared to HDFa cells. The decrease in the viability of HaCaT cells was not directly attributed to excessive oxidative stress (i.e., from reactive oxygen species generated by the He plasma jet). A possible explanation for the decrease in cell viability is that the He plasma jet treatment results in modification of the serum or DMEM, which decreases the bioavailability and/or bioefficacy of their essential components. In response to nutrient-deficiency, the cells may undergo autophagy, which can lead to a different form of cell death compared to apoptosis and necrosis. It will be important in the future to elucidate what essential components in cell media/serum are modified by plasma jets or other plasma sources utilised in biology and medicine research, and how these modifications alter cellular response.Rishabh Bhatia, Xanthe Strudwick, Allison J. Cowin, Endre J. Szil
The ‘insider’ ethnographic diagnostic radiographer thinking like ‘an outsider’
No full textPurpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore how the ethnographic researcher navigates their insider-outsider status and provides a methodological contribution to this important aspect of ethnographic research; this will be framed from the researcher’s perspective using a semi-autoethnographic approach.
The ethnographic study being reflected upon explored the culture in a Diagnostic Imaging Department (DID), looking at how radiographers work and what the issues were within their working environment. The original study was carried out within one DID in a District General Hospital in the East of England (Strudwick, 2011).
Design/methodology/approach - In the original study the researcher used ethnography to study the culture in a DID. Observation was carried out for a four-month period. Field notes were recorded and used to formulate topics for the interviews that were to follow.
After the observation, the researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with key informants from the DID. Ten key informants were purposefully sampled from the DID to provide a cross section of opinion from the staff.
The data collected were analysed to identify key themes.
This paper reflects on the data from the original study to explore the tensions between the insider and outsider researcher role and how this contributes to the way the ethnographic researcher views the environment, reports on their findings and how they feel about the data from their own perspective.
Findings - Ethnographers carrying out research in their own area of practice need to try to think like an outsider in order to see the environment with a sense of strangeness but also try to make sense of what the participants are thinking and doing. There is a tension between becoming part of the group in order to understand it and looking at the environment as an outsider in order to make a note of what is happening. Findings from the original ethnographic study will be used to illustrate this point and will be used to reflect on the feelings of the researcher, considering her insider and outsider status.
Originality - The author, who is a diagnostic radiographer and radiography educator reflects on how she managed the insider-outsider tension during her ethnographic observation and after the event when reflecting on the data from the original study
Collagen Functionalization of Polymeric Electrospun Scaffolds to Improve Integration into Full-Thickness Wounds.
No full textBACKGROUND: Electrospun fibers are widely studied in regenerative medicine for their ability to mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) and provide mechanical support. In vitro studies indicated that cell adhesion and migration is superior on smooth poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) electrospun scaffolds and porous scaffolds once biofunctionalized with collagen. METHODS: The in vivo performance of PLLA scaffolds with modified topology and collagen biofunctionalization in full-thickness mouse wounds was assessed by cellular infiltration, wound closure and re-epithelialization and ECM deposition. RESULTS: Early indications suggested unmodified, smooth PLLA scaffolds perform poorly, with limited cellular infiltration and matrix deposition around the scaffold, the largest wound area, a significantly larger panniculus gape, and lowest re-epithelialization; however, by day 14, no significant differences were observed. Collagen biofunctionalization may improve healing, as collagen-functionalized smooth scaffolds were smallest overall, and collagen-functionalized porous scaffolds were smaller than non-functionalized porous scaffolds; the highest re-epithelialization was observed in wounds treated with collagen-functionalized scaffolds. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that limited incorporation of smooth PLLA scaffolds into the healing wound occurs, and that altering surface topology, particularly by utilizing collagen biofunctionalization, may improve healing. The differing performance of the unmodified scaffolds in the in vitro versus in vivo studies demonstrates the importance of preclinical testing.Aswathy Ravindran Girija, Xanthe Strudwick, Sivakumar Balasubramanian, Vivekanandan Palaninathan, Sakthikumar Dasappan Nair, and Allison J. Cowi
Joseph P. Breedlove
No full textFramed, 22.5 x 28.5/29 x 35Portrait of Joseph P. Breedlove, University Libraria
IL-5-overexpressing mice exhibit eosinophilia and altered wound healing through mechanisms involving prolonged inflammation
No full textLeucocytes are essential in healing wounds and are predominantly involved in the inflammatory and granulation stages of wound repair. Eosinophils are granulocytic leucocytes and are specifically regulated by interleukin-5 (IL-5), a cytokine produced by T helper 2 (Th2) cells. To characterize more clearly the role of the IL-5 and eosinophils in the wound healing process, IL-5-overexpressing and IL-5-deficient mice were used as models of eosinophilia and eosinophil depletion, respectively. Our results reveal a significantly altered inflammatory response between IL-5-overexpressing and IL-5 knockout mice post-wounding. Healing was significantly delayed in IL-5-overexpressing mice with wounds gaping wider and exhibiting impaired re-epithelialization. A delay in collagen deposition was observed suggesting a direct effect on matrix synthesis. A significant increase in inflammatory cell infiltration, particularly eosinophils and CD4+ cells, one of the main cell types which secrete IL-5, was observed in IL-5-overexpressing mice wounds suggesting that one of the main roles of IL-5 in wound repair may be to promote the infiltration of eosinophils into healing wounds. Healing is delayed in IL-5-overexpressing mice and this corresponds to significantly increased levels of eosinophils and CD4+ cells within the wound site that may contribute to and exacerbate the inflammatory response, resulting in detrimental wound repair.Victoria D Leitch. Xanthe L Strudwick, Klaus I Matthaei, Lindsay A Dent and Allison J Cowin
Ethnographic research in healthcare – patients and service users as participants
No full textPurpose: This discussion paper provides an introduction and overview of Ethnography as a qualitative research methodology and outlines its usefulness in understanding the experiences of patients and service users during their healthcare journey. Ethnographic research provides an insight into the group being studied. In this paper that author suggests that ethnography can provide an insight into the behaviours, thoughts and feelings of a patient group.
Methods: Research methods used in ethnographic research have been outlined and discussed along with some of the possible methodological and ethical issues that might occur when carrying out an ethnographic study with a group of patients.
Results: This paper discusses some of the potential results of an ethnographic study with patients and how ethnographic research can be used to study the experiences of patients.
Conclusion: the author draws together some lessons that can be learnt and some possible applications of ethnographic research in healthcare settings with patients. Implications for rehabilitation are also proposed
Attenuation of Flightless I, an actin-remodelling protein, improves burn injury repair via modulation of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1 and TGF-beta 3
No full textThe definitive version may be found at www.wiley.comBackground: The pathophysiological mechanisms involved in burn injury repair are still not fully understood but include processes involving cellular proliferation, migration and adhesion. The actin cytoskeleton is intricately involved in these key wound repair processes. Flightless I (Flii), an actin-remodelling protein and transcriptional regulator, is an important regulator of wound healing.
Objectives: To investigate the function of Flii gene expression in burn injury repair.
Methods: Partial-thickness scald wounds were created on Flii heterozygous (Flii(+/-)), wild-type (WT) and Flii transgenic (Flii(Tg/+)) mice. Burns were assessed using histology and immunohistochemistry, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and biochemical analysis.
Results: Flii expression, while upregulated in burn injuries, was significantly lower in the wounds of Flii(+/-) vs. WT vs. Flii(Tg/+) mice and healing was improved in Flii(+/-) mice with their burns healing faster than WT and Flii(Tg/+). Pro-scarring transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1 protein and gene expression were reduced in Flii(+/-) burns while antiscarring TGF-beta 3 was significantly elevated. Anti-alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) was decreased in Flii(+/-) burns suggesting a decrease in contractile myofibroblasts in the developing scars. Although Flii is primarily a nuclear and cytoplasmic protein it is also released by wounded cells. Intradermal injection of Flii-neutralizing antibodies (FliAbs) to WT burn wounds significantly improved their healing, indicating a potential novel approach for treating burns. Decreased TGF-beta 1 and elevated TGF-beta 3 expression were observed in FliAb-treated burns, which may contribute to their observed improvement in healing.
Conclusions: Strategies aimed at reducing Flii expression, for example using neutralizing antibodies, may lead to improved burn outcomes.D.H. Adams, N. Ruzehaji, X.L. Strudwick, J.E. Greenwood, H.D. Campbell, R. Arkell and A.J. Cowi
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