Clinical effect of double-layer tiled orbicularis oculi muscle flap in plastic surgery of the pouch / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of the double-layer wattle orbicularis oculi muscle flap in the pouch plastic surgery.Methods:From January 2016 to January 2019, 100 patients (male 25, female 75, aged 20-60 (38.39 ± 3.33) years) who received pouch plastic surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University were divided into observation group and control group according to the method of drawing lots, 50 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with double-layer wattle and orbicularis oculi muscle flap, while the control group was treated with traditional lower eyelid skin approach to remove the pouch, and the treatment effect of the two groups was compared.Results:The total effective rate of the two groups was 94.00% and 80.00% respectively ( χ2=4.332, P<0.05); the incidence of postoperative complications such as incision swelling, small hematoma and small amount of secretion in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group ( χ2=9.890, P<0.05); during the follow-up period, the patients' satisfaction rate in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group ( χ2=7.862, P<0.05). Conclusions:The double-layer tiled orbicularis oculi muscle flap can achieve the ideal effect in pouch plastic surgery, with good safety and long-term effect, and has the value of clinical application.

Advances in the research of antibacterial composite dressings based on bacterial cellulose / 中华烧伤杂志

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a promising material for wound dressing due to its predominant water binding capacity, mechanical property, biodegradability, and histocompatibility. Whereas BC itself exhibits no antimicrobial activity. To gain antimicrobial activity, several kinds of antibacterial agents have been introduced into BC. However, all of the antibacterial composite dressings are still in the stage of experimental research. In this paper, the types, antibacterial mechanism, and shortcomings of antibacterial composite dressings based on BC are summarized, in order to make prospects of the research trends of antibacterial composite dressings based on BC in future.

Exploration of improving clinical intern teaching by standardizing training of residents / 中华医学教育探索杂志

The referential significance of standardized training for residents in clinical practice teaching was explored by analyzing current teaching situation. We analyzed some plans for improvement in management construction,talent training, teaching content construction and so on, in order to standardize medical teaching management and improve teaching quality, so as to link up clinical practice teaching to standardized residency training tightly.

National experts consensus on application of silver-containing dressings in wound therapy (2018 version) / 中华烧伤杂志

New silver-containing dressings developed in recent years have brought new and powerful means for the prevention and treatment of wound infection, which promote development and progress of wound therapy. There are many kinds of silver-containing dressings, however, misunderstanding and even misapplication exist in how to choose and use these dressings. Based on literature evidence, we propose this national expert consensus on clinical application of silver-containing dressings, particularly in terms of kinds and mechanisms, indications, contraindications, rational selections in different wounds, and cautions in the clinical application of silver-containing dressings. This consensus would be helpful for medical and nursing personnel to use silver-containing dressings in wound repair field in clinic correctly and professionally.

Multicenter epidemiological investigation of hospitalized elderly, young and middle-aged patients with severe burn / 中华烧伤杂志

Objective@#To compare and analyze the epidemiological characteristics of hospitalized elderly, young and middle-aged patients with severe burn in recent years, so as to provide reference for the prevention and treatment of elderly patients with severe burn.@*Methods@#Relying on the entry system of epidemiological case data and biological sample of severe burn from multicenter in clinic, medical records of patients with severe burn, aged above 18, hospitalized in 8 burn wards from January 2012 to December 2015 were collected. Six hundred and fifteen patients who were more than 18 years old and less than or equal to 65 years old were included in young and middle-aged group (YM). Eighty-two patients aged more than 65 years old were included in elderly group (E). Data of age, gender, residence, education level, cause of injury, location of injury, season of injury, total burn area, occurrence and area of full-thickness burn injury, wound site, inhalation injury incidence and severity, post burn admission time, proportion of delayed resuscitation, proportion of escharectomy or tangential excision and skin grafting, preinjury systemic disease, system complication during hospitalization, length of hospital stay, outcome of treatment, and reason of abandoning treatment of patients were analyzed. Data were processed with chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test. The odds ratios of preinjury systemic disease, system complication during hospitalization, and adverse outcome of patients in group YM were compared with those in group E.@*Results@#(1) The majority of patients in the two groups were male, but the proportion of male patients in group YM was higher. There was statistically significant difference in gender distribution of patients between the two groups (χ2=18.727, P<0.001). The majority of patients in the two groups were from rural areas, but the proportion of rural patients in group E was higher. There was statistically significant difference in residence distribution of patients between the two groups (χ2=9.306, P=0.002). Patients in group YM mainly had secondary education, while patients in group E mainly had primary education. There was statistically significant difference in distribution of education level of patients between the two groups (χ2=146.797, P<0.001). (2) The most common causes of injury of patients in the two groups were both flame, but the proportion of patients with flame burn injury in group E was higher. There was statistically significant difference in distribution of cause of injury of patients between the two groups (χ2=25.063, P<0.001). The main locations of injury of patients in groups YM and E were respectively public place and private residence. There was statistically significant difference in location distribution of injury of patients between the two groups (χ2=46.313, P<0.001). The main seasons of injury of patients in groups YM and E were respectively summer and winter. There was statistically significant difference in season distribution of patients between the two groups (χ2=23.143, P<0.001). There was statistically significant difference in distribution of total burn area of patients between the two groups (χ2=25.799, P=0.002). The occurrences of full-thickness burn injury of patients in the two groups were similar (χ2=2.685, P=0.101), while there was statistically significant difference in area of full-thickness burn injury of patients between the two groups (χ2=26.702, P=0.002). There was no statistically significant difference in distribution of wound site of patients between the two groups (χ2=3.954, P=0.785). There were no statistically significant differences in incidence and severity distribution of inhalation injury of patients between the two groups (with χ2 values respectively 0.425 and 0.672, P values above 0.05). (3) There was statistically significant difference in distribution of admission time of patients between the two groups (χ2=6.632, P=0.036), but there was no statistically significant difference in proportion of delayed resuscitation of patients between the two groups (χ2=1.261, P=0.261). The proportion of escharectomy or tangential excision and skin grafting of patients in group YM was 72.0% (443/615), which was significantly higher than 35.4% (29/82) of group E (χ2=44.498, P<0.001). The incidence of preinjury systemic disease of patients in group YM was 13.2% (81/615), which was significantly lower than 61.0% (50/82) of group E (χ2=108.337, P<0.001). The risk of preinjury systemic disease of patients in group E was 10.30 times of that of patients in group YM [with 95% confidence interval (CI) of 6.24-17.01, P<0.001]. During hospitalization, 59.8% (49/82) of patients in group E suffered from system complications, which was significantly higher than 36.6% (225/615) of group YM (χ2=16.282, P<0.001). The risk of system complication of patients in group E was 2.57 times of patients in group YM (with 95% CI of 1.61-4.12, P<0.001). The length of hospital stay of patients in group E was significantly shorter than that of group YM (U=36 735, P<0.001). There was statistically significant difference in treatment outcome of patients between the two groups (χ2=106.251, P<0.001). The risk of adverse outcome of patients in group E was 7.52 times of group YM (with 95% CI of 4.40-12.88, χ2=67.709, P<0.001). The proportion of abandoning treatment of patients in group E was significantly higher than that of group YM (χ2=150.670, P<0.001). The risk of abandoning treatment of patients in group E was 15.86 times of that of group YM (with 95% CI of 9.36-26.88, P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in distribution of reason of abandoning treatment of patients between the two groups (χ2=4.178, P=0.243).@*Conclusions@#There were significant differences in the epidemiological characteristics of patients in groups E and YM. In elderly burn patients, the proportion of rural population was higher and the education level was lower. Flame burn was common and burns mostly occurred in private residences and in winter. The total burn area was slightly lower but the area of full-thickness burn injury was larger. The length of hospital stay was shorter and the proportion of surgical treatment was lower. The incidences of preinjury systemic disease and system complication during hospitalization were higher, and therefore the risks of adverse outcome and abandoning treatment were higher.

Current situation and reflection on the prevention and treatment of burns in the elderly / 中华烧伤杂志

With ageing of the population, it is estimated that the percentage of old people aged above 65 years old will be approached to 30% in China by 2035. This presents a considerable challenge to geriatric burn treatment, as elderly burn patients have more serious injuries, longer hospital lengths of stay, and higher rates of complications and mortality. In this article, we analyze the current status of burns in the elderly in China and the factors contributing to the outcome of the elderly, and put forward therapeutic strategies so as to improve the level of prevention and treatment of burns in the elderly.

Clinical application of artificial dermis combined with basic fibroblast growth factor in the treatment of cicatrix and deep skin wounds / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of artificial dermis combined with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the treatment of cicatrix and deep skin wounds.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 72 patients with wounds repaired with artificial dermis, hospitalized in our unit from October 2010 to April 2015, conforming to the study criteria, were retrospectively analyzed. The types of wounds were wounds after resection of cicatrices, deep burn wounds without exposure of tendon or bone, and wounds with exposure of small area of tendon or bone, in a total number of 102. Wounds were divided into artificial dermis group (A, n=60) and artificial dermis+ bFGF group (B, n=42) according to whether or not artificial dermis combined with bFGF. In group A, after release and resection of cicatrices or thorough debridement of deep skin wounds, artificial dermis was directly grafted to wounds in the first stage operation. After complete vascularization of artificial dermis, wounds were repaired with autologous split-thickness skin grafts in the second stage operation. In group B, all the procedures were exactly the same as those in group A except that artificial dermis had been soaked in bFGF for 30 min before grafting. Operation area, complete vascularization time of artificial dermis, survival of skin grafts, and the follow-up condition of wounds in the two groups were recorded. Data were processed with t test and Fisher's exact test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Operation areas of wounds after resection of cicatrices, deep burn wounds without exposure of tendon or bone, and wounds with exposure of small area of tendon or bone in the two groups were about the same (with t values from -1.853 to -0.200, P values above 0.05). Complete vascularization time of artificial dermis in wounds after resection of cicatrices, deep burn wounds without exposure of tendon or bone, and wounds with exposure of small area of tendon or bone in group B were respectively (15.6 ± 2.9), (14.7 ± 2.7), and (20.3 ± 4.4) d, and they were shorter by an average time of 2.7, 4.0, 7.4 d, respectively, as compared with those in corresponding types of wounds in group A [respectively (18.3 ± 4.7), (18.7 ± 4.2), and (27.7 ± 8.8) d, with t values from -2.779 to -2.383, P values below 0.05]. (2) The ratio of skin grafts with excellent survival in the three types of wounds in group B were higher than those in corresponding types of wounds in group A, but there were no statistically significant differences (with P values above 0.05). (3) Patients were followed up for 1 to 48 months, and there were no obvious cicatrices in skin graft sites and the donor sites during the following time.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Artificial dermis combined with bFGF can effectively shorten the vascularization time of artificial dermis in wounds after resection of cicatrices and deep skin wounds.</p>

Effects of direct current electric field on directional migration and arrangement of dermal fibroblasts in neonatal BALB/c mice and the mechanisms / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of direct current electric fields on directional migration and arrangement of dermal fibroblasts in neonatal BALB/c mice and the related mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twelve neonatal BALB/c mice were divided into 4 batches. The skin on the back of 3 neonatal mice in each batch was obtained to culture fibroblasts. Fibroblasts of the second passage were inoculated in 27 square cover slips with the concentration of 5 × 10(4) cells per mL. (1) Experiment 1. Six square cover slips inoculated with fibroblasts of the second passage were divided into electric field group (EF) and sham electric field group (SEF), with 3 cover slips in each group. The cover slips were put in live cell imaging workstation. The cells in group EF was treated with electric power with EF intensity of 200 mV/mm, while simulating process without actual power was given to SEF group (the same below) for 6 h. Cell proliferation rate was subsequently counted. (2) Experiment 2. Six cover slips were divided and underwent the same processes as in experiment 1. Cell movement locus within EF hour (EFH) 6, direction change of cell migration at EFH 0 (immediately), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 which was denoted as cos(α), cell migration velocity within EFH 6, direction change of long axis of cell within EFH 6, and direction change of cell arrangement at EFH 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 which was denoted as polarity value cos[2(θ-90)] were observed under live cell imaging workstation. After EFH 6, the morphological changes in microtubules and microfilaments were observed with immunofluorescent staining. (3) Experiment 3. Six cover slips were divided into cytochalasin D group (treated with 1 μmol/L cytochalasin D for 10 min) and colchicine group (treated with 5 μmol/L colchicine for 10 min), with 3 cover slips in each group. The morphological changes in microfilaments and microtubules were observed with the same method as in experiment 2. (4) Experiment 4. Nine cover slips were divided into control group (no reagent was added), cytochalasin D group and colchicine group (added with the same reagents as in experiment 3), with 3 cover slips in each group. Cells in the 3 groups were exposed to an EF of 200 mV/mm for 6 h. Cell movement locus within EFH 6, cell migration velocity within EFH 6, cell polarity values at EFH 0, 3, and 6, and morphological changes of cells at EFH 0 and 6 were observed. Data were processed with independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and LSD test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) There was no statistically significant difference in cell proliferation rate in group EF and group SEF (t=-0.24, P﹥0.05). (2) Within EFH 6, cells in group EF migrated towards the anode of EF, while cells in group SEF moved randomly. At EFH 0, the values of cos(α) of cells in the 2 groups were both 0. The absolute value of cos(α) of cells in group EF (-0.57 ± 0.06) was significantly higher than that in group SEF (0.13 ± 0.09, t=6.68, P<0.01) at EFH 1, and it was still higher than that in group SEF from EFH 2 to 6 (with t values from 5.33 to 6.83, P values below 0.01). Within EFH 6, migration velocity of cells in group EF was (0.308 ± 0.019) μm/min, which was significantly higher than that in group SEF [(0.228 ± 0.021) μm/min, t=-2.76, P<0.01]. Within EFH 6, long axis of cells in group EF was perpendicular to the direction of EF, while arrangement of cells in group SEF was irregular. Cell polarity values in group EF were significantly higher than that in group SEF from EFH 2 to 6 (with t values from -7.52 to -0.90, P values below 0.01). At EFH 6, the morphology of microfilaments and microtubules of cells in EF group was similar to that in SEF group. (3) The fluorescent intensity of microfilaments of cells in cytochalasin D group became weakened, and the filamentary structure became fuzzy. The microtubules of cells in colchicine group became fuzzy with low fluorescent intensity. (4) Within EFH 6, cells in control group migrated towards the anode of EF, while cells in cytochalasin D group and colchicine group moved randomly. Within EFH 6, there was statistically significant difference in migration velocity of cells in the 3 groups (F=6.36, P<0.01). Migration velocity of cells in cytochalasin D group and colchicine group was significantly slower than that in control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). At EFH 0, 3, and 6, cell polarity values in the 3 groups were close (with F values from 0.99 to 1.51, P values above 0.05). At EFH 0, cells in control group were spindle; cells in cytochalasin D group were polygonal or in irregular shapes; cells in colchicine group were serrated circle or oval. At EFH 6, no morphological change was observed in cells in control group; cells in cytochalasin D group were spindle with split ends on both ends; cells in colchicine group were serrated oval.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The physiologic strength of exogenous direct current EF can induce directional migration and alignment of dermal fibroblasts in neonatal BALB/c mice. Microfilaments and microtubules are necessary skeleton structure for cell directional migration induced by EF, while they are not necessary for cell directional arrangement induced by EF.</p>

Changes in myocardial proteomics in late phase of limb ischemic preconditioning in rats / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective To investigate the changes in myocardial proteomics in the late phase of limb ischemic preconditioning (LIP) in rats.Methods Twelve pathogen-free adult male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 8-9 weeks,weighing 260-280 g,were randomly assigned into LIP group (n=6) and control group (group C,n=6) using a random number table.Limb ischemia was preceded by 3 cycles of 5-min ischemia which was induced by ligation of the root of the right hindlimb with a rubber band followed by 5-min reperfusion in group LIP.At 24 h after LIP,the tissues were obtained from the left ventricle,and the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification technique and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry were applied to detect the differences in protein expression profiles between the two groups (the difference in expression between the two groups＞ 1.2 times and P＜0.05).The identified differentially expressed proteins were analyzed using the bioinformatics,and some were further verified by Western blot.Results A total of 55 proteins were identified to be differentially expressed,and among the 55 proteins,the expression of 35 proteins was up-regulated,and the expression of 20 proteins was down-regulated.Bioinformatics analysis showed that most of the 55 proteins were organelles,cell membrane or macromolecular compounds,were involved in the process such as metabolism,biological regulation,stress response and signal transduction,and showed functions such as the binding affinity to molecules,catalytic activity,anti-oxidant activity,and modulation of the activity of enzyme.The results verified by Western blot were consistent with those shown by using the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification analysis.Conclusion The late phase of LIP can induce changes in the expression of the 55 proteins involving regulation of energy metabolism,anti-oxidant action,regulation of gene expression,and protein folding and degradation in the myocardium,which may be the mechanism of myocardial protection in rats.

Integration of burn treatment and rehabilitation for a child with extremely severe burn / 中华烧伤杂志

This article reports the successful experience of integration of burn treatment and rehabilitation for a child suffering from 91% TBSA flame burn injury (with 60% TBSA full-thickness injury, 30% TBSA deep partial-thickness injury, and 1% TBSA superficial partial-thickness injury), severe inhalation injury, severe burn shock, stress ulcer, gastrointestinal bleeding and atelectasis of the right upper lung. The patient was given effective fluid infusion against shock, treatment for gastrointestinal bleeding, and other effective supportive treatment for functions of various organs after being admitted to our burn ward. When vital signs became stable at 30 hours post injury, bedside rehabilitation was begun. On post injury day (PID) 4, escharectomy was performed for both lower limbs, followed by microskin grafting and allogeneic skin covering. On PID 10, invasive infection of multi-drug resistant bacteria was found with accompanied high fever, and at the same time allograft began to disintegrate, with dissolution of large area of eschar, leading to a raw surface reaching 86% TBSA. Following debridement, dressing, application of compound polymyxin B ointment, temporary covering of wounds with porcine acellular dermal matrix, adjustment of antibiotics, patient's condition was finally stabilized. From PID 28 on, split-thickness skin grafting was conducted 7 times, and the raw surface of 75% TBSA involving the upper and lower limbs and trunk was successfully covered. At the same time, our rehabilitation team launched comprehensive rehabilitation measures comprising active exercise, occupational therapy, prevention of scar formation, organ function training and psychological intervention. Finally, the patient was able to walk unaided and fed herself when the wounds were almost entirely healed in 3 months after injury. Oriented forwards functional rehabilitation, strong cooperation between team members, and synchronous effective implementation of burn treatment and rehabilitation in the whole process are the keys to achieve successful integration of burn treatment and rehabilitation of this child.

Advances in the research of extravascular lung water after severe burn / 中华烧伤杂志

Pulmonary edema frequently occurs after severe burn. It not only impairs pulmonary function directly, but also can induce or exacerbate other pulmonary complications such as lung infection, acute lung injury ( ALI), and ARDS. Extravascular lung water (EVLW) is closely related to the pulmonary edema. Dynamical monitor of EVLW has been used to predict and quantify the degree of pulmonary edema clinically. This review focuses on the recent progresses at home and abroad on the formation mechanism, monitoring approach, and prevention and treatment of EVLW after severe burn injury.

p38 kinase pathway mediated cardiomyocyte injury in rats due to hypoxia and burn serum / 第三军医大学学报

Objective To investigate the roles of the activated p38 kinase in cell injury by observation of the effects of hypoxia and burn serum on cardiomyocyte p38 kinase and JNK activation. Methods Phosphorylation of p38 kinase and JNK in primary cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes before and after hypoxia and burn serum was determined by Western blotting. Effects of pretreatment with SB203580 at the dose of 10 ?mol/L on the changes of phosphorylation of p38 kinase in cardiomyocytes, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, cell vitality and apoptosis were investigated, respectively. Results Exposure of rat neonatal cardiomyocytes to hypoxia and burn serum resulted in a rapid and long lasting activation of p38 kinase but no significant activation of JNK. SB203580(10 ?mol/l), a selective inhibitor of p38 kinase, could inhibit p38 kinase activation dramatically, decrease the LDH activity in culture media and cell apoptosis significantly and improve cell vitality. Conclusion In the two stress activated signal pathways of MAPKs family, p38 kinase pathway, but not JNK, is the major pathway activated by hypoxia and burn serum and participates in the cardiomyocyte injury.

Construction and identification of Rattus norvegicus microtubule-associated protein 4 gene recombinant adenovirus / 第三军医大学学报

Objective To construct recombinant adenovirus vector containing Rattus norvegicus microtubule-associated protein 4 gene,and transfect it into the rat cardiac myocytes cultured in vitro.Methods A pair of primers were designed,and full length MAP4 DNA was cloned from rat total mRNA by PCR.The PCR product was double-digested with restriction endonucleases NheⅠ and NocⅠ,and inserted orientationally into pShuttle2.The plasmid of pShuttle2-MAP4 was double-digested with restriction endonucleases NheⅠ and NocⅠ,and inserted BD Adeno-X~(TM) Virul DNA,named pAd2-MAP4.The non-recombinant adenovirus was screened out with PacⅠ, pAd2-MAP4 was linerized with SwaⅠ,and the recombinant virus genome was transfected into HEK293 cell line for packaging and amplification of Ad-MAP4 virus.The recombinant adenovirus was transfected into rat cardiac myocytes and MAP4 was identified by immunohistochemistry.Results The recombinant adenovirus-MAP4 was constructed successfully and the titer was about 2.3?10~(8) pfu/ml.The expression of MAP4 was enhanced at 48 h after the transfection.Conclusion We have successfully constructed a recombinant adenovirus Ad-MAP4 that has enforced the expression of MAP4 in vivo.

Effects of microtubule disassembly on hypoxic injury of cultured cardiomyocytes / 第三军医大学学报

Objective To investigate whether microtubule disassembly plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the opening of mitochondria permeability transition pore (MPTP) in hypoxic cardiomyocytes and the decrease of its activity, resulting in its hypoxic injury. Methods Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes in primary culture were randomized as normoxia group (A), hypoxic group (B), normoxia treated with microtubule destabilizing agent (Colchicine) group (C), hypoxia treated with microtubule stabilizing agent (Taxol) group (D). At 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12 h after treatment, polymeric tubulin was detected by immunofluorescence and Western blotting, mitochondria permeability transition pore (MPTP) open by coloading with calcein AM and cobalt chloride, and the activity of cells by measuring the mitochondrial-dependent reduction of MTT to formazan. Results Early microtubule disassembly, MPTP open and activity decrease of cardiomyocytes in both groups B and C were observed at 0.5 h after treatment. These phenomena all became more and more significant with the prolongation of treatment. However, microtubule disassembly, MPTP open and activity decrease of cardiomyocytes of group D were significantly lower than those of group B. Conclusion Microtubule disassembly happened at 0.5 h after hypoxic treatment. Microtubule stabling agent Taxol and destabilizing agent Colchicine can regulate microtubule integrity efficiently. The microtubule damage plays an important role in the hypoxic injury of cardiomyocytes.

The relationship between apoptosis of the cardiac myocytes and myocardial dysfunction in severely scalded rats / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate relationship between apoptosis of the cardiac myocytes and myocardial dysfunction in severely scalded rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Wistar rats inflicted by 40% TBSA III degree scalding were employed as the model. The myocardial tissue was obtained from the left ventricle at different postburn time points. Apoptosis was determined by the determination of myocardial tissue Caspase-3 activity and TUNEL staining (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling). The LVSP (left ventricular systolic pressure), LVEDP (left ventricular end-diastolic pressure) and +dp/dtmax (the rate of the rise of left ventricular pressure) and -dp/dtmax (the rate of the fall of left ventricular pressure) were all monitored by four-channel physiological recorder. In addition, myocardial activities of MPO and SOD were detected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The TUNEL staining of rat myocardial cells was positive at 6 postburn hour (PBH) and reached top level at 12 PBH. The change in Caspase-3 activity was earlier than that of apoptotic morphology and reached peak values at 3 and 6 PBHs. The left ventricular function (systolic and diastolic function) was significantly impaired after the scalding and dropped to the lowest levels at 12 PBHs. The increase in myocardial tissue MPO activity was accompanied by the decrease in SOD activity.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Myocardial cellular apoptosis was one of the reasons of postburn myocardial injury in scalded rats. Caspase protease cascade pathway might be involved in the process of apoptosis, which suggested that the initiation of apoptosis was closely related to the infiltration of neutrophils and to the release of large amounts of oxygen free radicals in myocardial tissue.</p>