Michel Fleith Otuki

Canine otitis externa (OE) presents a significant challenge in veterinary medicine due to its complex, multifactorial nature and the growing issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) associated with conventional antibiotic use. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of a novel, antibiotic-free topical ear solution (Therapy A) containing antimicrobial peptides and encapsulated plant extracts (chamomile, calendula, rosemary, and hops) against a standard conventional treatment (Therapy B) composed of gentamicin, betamethasone valerate, and clotrimazole. A longitudinal, randomized study was conducted over four weeks with 40 domestic dogs diagnosed with OE. The dogs were divided into two groups, each receiving one of the therapies. Evaluations were performed weekly, assessing clinical signs using the Otitis Index Scoring System (OTIS-3) and a pruritus visual analog scale (pVAS), as well as ear canal pH and cytology. The results showed that Therapy A provided similar clinical efficacy in OTIS-3 and pVAS scores that were comparable to Therapy B. Cytological analysis also revealed a significant reduction in microbial presence for both groups. Notably, Therapy A was clinically effective in two of the three dogs presenting multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections. The novel formulation also demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with no adverse drug reactions reported, in contrast to one dog in the conventional treatment group that experienced an adverse reaction. These findings suggest that the plant-based formulation is a safe and effective alternative for managing canine OE, offering a promising solution to reduce the reliance on antibiotics and corticosteroids.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, non-contagious inflammatory skin disease with significant physical and quality-of-life impacts. In Brazil, its estimated incidence is 1.3%. Due to the complexity of the disease, effective management requires addressing multiple factors, with treatment adherence and persistence being critical challenges. Aim: To evaluate the correlation between psoriasis severity and treatment adherence and persistence among patients in Paraná, Brazil. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 133 psoriasis patients treated at the three primary specialized care centers in the state, between January 28, 2022, and December 9, 2022. Results: A negative correlation (−0.102, rs² = 1.04%) was observed between psoriasis severity and treatment adherence. Conversely, there was a positive correlation (0.2444, rs² = 5.97%) between psoriasis severity and treatment discontinuation history. Conclusion: Treatment interruptions were correlated with increased psoriasis severity, whereas higher adherence was associated with milder clinical manifestations. Relevance for patients: These findings underscore the critical role of consistent treatment adherence in managing psoriasis. Interruptions in treatment are linked to more severe forms of psoriasis, highlighting the detrimental effects of non-adherence. In contrast, patients who maintained high levels of adherence experienced less severe symptoms, emphasizing that consistent treatment is key to improved disease control. Strengthening patient-provider collaboration and adherence strategies can improve clinical outcomes and enhance quality of life.

Introdução: A cicatrização de feridas é um processo complexo que depende do equilíbrio entre respostas inflamatórias, proliferação celular, angiogênese e remodelamento tecidual. Curativos à base de hidrogel têm sido amplamente utilizados por fornecerem um microambiente úmido favorável à reparação e por sua capacidade de incorporar agentes bioativos, ampliando seu potencial terapêutico. Objetivo: Analisar criticamente as evidências pré-clínicas e clínicas sobre o uso de curativos à base de hidrogel na cicatrização de feridas, descrevendo seus mecanismos de ação, aplicações terapêuticas, benefícios, limitações e perspectivas futuras no manejo de feridas agudas e crônicas. Método: Foi realizada uma revisão narrativa da literatura com artigos originais e de revisão publicados entre 2009 e 2025, nos idiomas português e inglês, nas bases PubMed, SciELO, Google Acadêmico e Portal de Periódicos da CAPES. Utilizaram-se os descritores “wound healing”, “wounds”, “hydrogel”, “graphene oxide” e “Brassica”, combinados por operadores booleanos. Foram incluídos estudos in vitro, in vivo e clínicos que avaliassem hidrogéis como matrizes para cicatrização, isolados ou incorporados a bioativos. Resultado: As buscas nas bases de dados identificaram inicialmente 47 publicações que atenderam à estratégia de busca. Após a aplicação dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão, 10 estudos foram selecionados para leitura na íntegra e tiveram seus principais achados incorporados a esta revisão. Conclusão: Os curativos de hidrogel representam uma plataforma terapêutica promissora para o tratamento de feridas. Contudo, a heterogeneidade das formulações e a predominância de evidências pré-clínicas para sistemas bioativos avançados indicam a necessidade de estudos mais padronizados e ensaios clínicos robustos antes de sua ampla adoção.

Tissue‐resident γδ T cells form the first line of defense at barrier surfaces where they survey host tissue for signs of stress or damage. Following recognition of injury, γδ T cells play a crucial role in the wound‐healing response through the production of growth factors and cytokines that promote proliferation in surrounding epithelial cells. To initiate this response, γδ T cells require interactions with a variety of epithelial‐expressed costimulatory molecules in addition to primary signaling through their TCR. In the epidermis these signals include the coxsackie and adenovirus receptor (CAR), histocompatibility antigen 60c (H60c), and plexin B2, which interact with γδ T cell‐expressed junctional adhesion molecule‐like protein (JAML), NKG2D, and CD100, respectively. Here we identify heat shock protein family A member 8 (Hspa8) and ICAM‐1 as two additional keratinocyte‐expressed costimulatory molecules for epidermal resident γδ T cells (termed DETC). These molecules were rapidly up‐regulated in the epidermis following wounding in both mouse and human tissue. Both Hspa8 and ICAM‐1 had a costimulatory effect on DETC, inducing proliferation, CD25 up‐regulation, and IL‐2 production. We also provide evidence that DETC can be activated through the potential ICAM‐1 and Hspa8 receptors LFA‐1 and CD316. Finally, knockdown of Hspa8 in keratinocytes reduced their ability to activate DETC in culture and ICAM‐1^−/− mice exhibited impaired rates of healing in skin‐organ culture suggesting a role for these proteins in the DETC‐mediated damage response. Together with previous work on CAR, H60c, and plexin B2, these results add to a picture of a complex keratinocyte wound signature that is required for efficient DETC activation.

Histomorphometric analysis of biological responses following the use of pure hydroxyapatite and hydroxyapatite with collagen: a study in dorsal subcutaneous tissue of rats / Análise histomorfométrica das respostas biológicas após o uso de hidroxiapatita pura e hidroxiapatita com colágeno: um estudo no tecido subcutâneo dorsal de ratos