Biomedical subjects

K J John

Publications and source records attributed to K J John.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Wound healing.

Wounds and wound healing have been studied in the medical arena for centuries, however, in recent decades new advances have emerged in this extensive field. Currently, the wound healing process is studied at the molecular level giving new insights to the physiological process of wound closure and the lack thereof. With development of new treatment modalities the potential for earlier wound closure and ultimately increased quality of life for chronic wound patients is emerging. As understanding of the delicate balance of molecules within the wound increases, options for treating patients will also increase. Again, an understanding of the wound healing process is vital not only when employing these new treatment options, but also for proper patient care.

Chronic Disease↗

PubMed2001

Full-thickness burn of the foot: successful treatment with Apligraf. A case report.

Burn wounds, although uncommon in the foot, present a uniquely challenging opportunity to physicians. The keys to successful management include a proper and specific initial evaluation of the burning agent, the location, the TBSA affected, and the depth. Ultimately, proper recognition and meticulous wound care with skin grafting, when necessary, bring about the desired results. A case report of a patient with a third-degree burn over the dorsum of the left foot is presented. This case is unique in that Apligraf, a human skin equivalent, was used to gain coverage and eventual resolution of the wound. It is the authors' opinion that the use of Apligraf in this application is a viable alternative to traditional methods of skin harvesting and grafting. To the authors' knowledge, there have been no other cases reported of Apligraf use in burn wound coverage of the foot.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Articular cartilage. Anatomy, injury, and repair.

Articular cartilage plays a vital role in joint morphology. An understanding of articular cartilage anatomy and physiology will enable the physician to more fully appreciate its function and necessity. Articular cartilage is made up of four basic biological layers or zones. Each zone possesses attributes necessary to make articular cartilage as a whole strong, durable, and more able to withstand shear and axial forces through a joint. Cartilage metabolism is relatively slow in comparison with other tissues; hence, it is much more difficult for defects in cartilage to heal spontaneously. There are many ways in which articular cartilage can incur damage. Mechanical injury, be it acute or insidious, causes cartilage to fissure and fracture. This results in painful and inflamed joints along with disruption of the cartilage. Metabolic diseases also can produce joint destruction, inflammation, and pain. The resultant defects fail to heal spontaneously because of slow metabolism of cartilage. These chondral defects eventually may penetrate subchondral bone. Disruption of the layers of cartilage eventually will cause collapse and loss of integrity of the entire joint apparatus as a whole. More than 250 years ago, Hunter stated, "Ulcerated cartilage is a troublesome thing--once [it is] destroyed it is not repaired." Articular cartilage defects are very difficult to repair effectively. Cartilage defects can heal spontaneously, if the defect extends to subchondral bone. The reparative substance, fibrocartilage, is less durable and much less smooth. There are many techniques and procedures in which chondral or osteochondral defects can be filled. Promoting subchondral bleeding is the method most commonly used clinically. This allows pleuripotent cells to fill the defect with eventual fibrocartilage. Implants are gaining favor as a method of inducing a more pure, hyaline-like cartilage into cartilage defects. Gene therapy and tissue engineering are at the forefront of cartilage research today. Cartilage injury and repair remains today a very difficult topic of study. Understanding the anatomy of articular cartilage, the pathomechanics of injury, and methods available for cartilage repair, will help the physician more adequately approach treatment options.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Malignant melanoma of the foot and ankle.

Malignant melanoma is a serious and devastating skin disease that podiatrists may be called upon to treat. It is pertinent that delays in diagnosis and treatment of malignant melanoma be avoided. Some of the topics discussed in this article are causes, clinical features, classification, and treatment of malignant melanoma, focusing on the foot and ankle.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Preliminary report on a method of human papillomavirus DNA extraction from verruca plantaris for polymerase chain reaction studies.

This preliminary report on the Chelex-based extraction method of HPV DNA from verruca plantaris is the first step in a series of studies on verruca plantaris undertaken, jointly, by the Departments of Podiatric Medicine and Microbiology at Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center, Des Moines, Iowa. Current projects include the development of new primers for PCR studies of HPV, exploration of different viral DNA extraction methods, and surveys concerning treatment, success of therapies, and the epidemiology of verruca plantaris.

DNA, Viral↗