Correction: The impact of reusable tableware packaging combined with environmental propaganda on consumer behaviour in online retail.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264562.].

The impact of reusable tableware packaging combined with environmental propaganda on consumer behaviour in online retail.

With the development of the takeaway industry, the demand for disposable cutlery is increasing, posing a heavy burden on the environment. Helping reusable tableware increase market share is important because it helps preserve the natural environment while making commercial gains. Given the additional cost to consumers of using reusable tableware in many settings, this article examines the impact of incorporating environmental propaganda into packaging design on consumer behaviour. The results show that the new packaging with high environmental propaganda satisfaction improves consumers' brand loyalty, purchase intention and continuance intention. The packaging of low environmental propaganda satisfaction may have negative effects and should be used with caution.

Effects of AR Picture Books on German Teaching in Universities.

In this paper, we discuss the teaching effects of augmented reality (AR) technology in German instruction. We conducted one prestudy and three formal studies on German learners in China's mainland and Taiwan region. In the formal studies, a total of 120 students participated in the survey, allowing us to compare the differences in interest in learning between AR picture books and traditional picture books. A total of 114 students took part in the survey, which enabled us to compare the contribution of AR picture books to teaching when students' satisfaction and German proficiency were different. To improve satisfaction, 514 students participated in the survey regarding the influence of the interactive narrative design effect and peer learning on satisfaction with using AR picture books. The results suggest that when learning German with AR picture books, satisfaction is the key construct that determines students' learning states.

Phenotype Types and Genetic Mutation Mechanism of Rhesus D Variant Individuals / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the phenotype types and genetic mutation mechanism of Rhesus D variant individuals.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fouty-eight peripheral blood samples of pregnancies and blood donors who had been identified as Rhesus D variant by using routine serologic methods were collected from January 2013 to October 2015 in our center. The multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification(MLPA) was used to determine the RHD after genomic DNA had been extracted from the blood sample, then the data including gene copy number variations, point mutations, deletions and hybrid fusions were analyzed by GeneMarker software. All exons of blood sample RHD were amplified via PCR and analyzed by sequencing when its MLPA results were not in accordance with serologic results. Cloning and haplotype sequencing were performed if novel allele had been found.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Rh phenotypes of the 48 samples were typed as following: 20 cases out of 48 were CcDee(41.7%, 20/48),12 cases were ccDEe (25%,12/48), 11 cases were CCDee(22.9%, 11/48), 5 cases were CcDEe (10.4%, 5/48), respectively. The MLPA analysis showed that 38 cases possessed only 1 variant allele(RHD zygosity was Dd), while 10 cases possessed 2 variant alleles(RHD zygosity was DD). In Dd type individuals, point mutations were found in 18 cases and RHD/CE hybrid fusions were found in 20 cases. In DDindividuals, point mutations combined with RHD/CE hybrid fusions were found in 9 cases, deletion combined with RHD/CE hybrid fusions were found in 1 case. Variant alleles analysis basing on MLPA showed that 14 cases were weak D 15 and 22 cases were RhD VI type 3, however, the variant alleles were not identified in 7 cases due to lack of detecting probes and were identified via sequencing analysis. Two novel mutations, 79-81delCTC and 689G>A were also certificated by sequencing in 2 cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CcDee is the major Rh phenotype in RhD variants, weak D 15 and RhD VI type 3 are the main serologic type of RhD variants, point mutation and RHD/CE hybrid fusions are main molecular mechanism for RhD variant phenotype. Besides, 79-81delCTC and 689G>A are two novel alleles.</p>

Electrodeposition of polyaniline onto TiO2 nanoparticles/multiwalled carbon nanotubes for visible light photoelectrocatalysis.

In this study, polyaniline (PANI) was coated onto TiO2 nanoparticles/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (TiO2/MWCNTs) hybrid by electrochemical polymerization. Modification of TiO2/MWCNTs with PANI endows the resulted hybrid with visible light activity. The PANI/TiO2/MWCNTs hybrid shows remarkable photoelectrocatalytic activity for the degradation of RhB under visible light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the PANI/TiO2/MWCNTs hybrid originates from the effective charge transfer properties of the heterojunctions of PANI-TiO2 and TiO2-MWCNTs. The efficient charge transportation and high photoelectrocatalytic activity towards degradation of rhodamine B make this novel hybrid material promising for photocatalysis and for the development of photoelectrical devices.

A highly sensitive non-enzymatic glucose sensor based on a simple two-step electrodeposition of cupric oxide (CuO) nanoparticles onto multi-walled carbon nanotube arrays.

A novel, stable and highly sensitive non-enzymatic glucose (Glc) sensor was developed using vertically well-aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes array (MWCNTs) incorporated with cupric oxide (CuO) nanoparticles. The MWCNTs array was prepared by catalytic chemical vapor deposition on a tantalum (Ta) substrate, while a simple and rapid two-step electrodeposition technique was used to prepare the CuO-MWCNTs nanocomposite. First, Cu nanoparticles were deposited onto MWCNTs at constant potential and then they were oxidized into CuO by potential cycling. The electrocatalytic activity of CuO-MWCNTs array was investigated for Glc under alkaline conditions using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The sensor exhibited a linear response up to 3 mM of Glc and sensitivity of 2190 microA mM(-1) cm(-2), which is two to three orders of magnitude higher than that of most non-enzymatic Glc sensors reported in the literature. The sensor response time is less than 2s and detection limit is 800 nM (at signal/noise=3). When tested with human blood serum samples, the sensor exhibited high electrocatalytic activity, stability, fast response and good selectivity against common interfering species, suggesting its potential to be developed as a non-enzymatic Glc sensor.

A highly sensitive nonenzymatic glucose sensor based on CuO nanoparticles-modified carbon nanotube electrode.

In this report, a novel type of cupric oxide (CuO) nanoparticles-modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) array electrode for sensitive nonenzymatic glucose detection has been fabricated. The morphology of the nanocomposite was characterized by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The electrochemical performance of the CuO/MWCNTs electrode for detection of glucose was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The CuO/MWCNTs electrode showed much higher electrocatalytic activity and lower overvoltage than the bare MWCNTs electrode towards oxidation of glucose. At an applied potential of +0.40 V, the CuO/MWCNTs electrode presented a high sensitivity of 2596 microA mM(-1) cm(-2) to glucose. In addition, linear range was obtained over a concentration up to 1.2 mM with a detection limit of 0.2 microM (signal/noise=3). The response time is about 1s with addition of 0.10 mM glucose. More importantly, the CuO/MWCNTs electrode is also highly resistant against poisoning by chloride ion, and the interference from the oxidation of common interfering species such as ascorbic acid, dopamine, uric acid and carbohydrate compounds is effectively avoided. In addition, the CuO/MWCNTs electrode was also used to analyze glucose concentration in human serum samples. The CuO/MWCNTs electrode exhibits an enhanced electrocatalytic property, low working potential, high sensitivity, excellent selectivity, good stability, and fast amperometric sensing towards oxidation of glucose, thus is promising for the future development of nonenzymatic glucose sensors.

Protective effect of early application of lytic cocktail on small intestine of severely scalded rats / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the protective effect of early application of lytic cocktail on small intestine of severely scalded rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-six male SD rats were divided into sham injury group (SI, n=6), scald group (S, n=30) and scald+lytic cocktail group (SL, n=30) according to the random number table. After anesthesia, rats in the latter 2 groups were inflicted with 30% full-thickness scald, while rats in S group were sham scalded with 37 degrees C water. Resuscitation was carried out by intraperitoneal injection with 2 mLxkg(-1)x%TBSA(-1) lactated Ringer's solution in all rats; meanwhile 12 mL/kg lytic cocktail [1 mL pethidine (50 mg/mL)+1 mL chlorpromazine (25 mg/mL)+1 mL promethazine (25 mg/mL)+125 mL saline] was hypodermically injected to rats in SL group, while 12 mL/kg saline was injected into rats in the other 2 groups. Samples of blood and small intestine were harvested from S and SL groups at post scald hour (PSH) 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and from SI group at PSH 3, with 6 rats in each group at each time point. Pathological changes in intestine were observed, and the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and CD68 were determined with immunohistochemistry at PSH 24 for S and SL groups and at PSH 3 for SI group. Plasma levels of D-lactate, diamine oxidase (DAO), IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-10 were determined with ELISA. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) At PSH 24, mild hemorrhage, inflammatory cell infiltration and epithelial cell shedding were observed in small intestinal mucosa of rats in S group. Compared with S group, the intestinal villi of SL group were arranged regularly without obvious hyperemia and edema. (2) Expression levels of ICAM-1 and CD68 [(1.69+/-0.27)%, (0.80+/-0.09)%] in S group were significantly higher than those in SI group [(0.77+/-0.10)%, (0.30+/-0.05)%, with F value respectively 77.303 and 66.933, P<0.05 or P < 0.01] and SL group [(0.53+/-0.09)%, (0.32+/-0.06)%, with F value respectively 77.303 and 66.933, P values all below 0.01]. (3) D-lactate levels of rats in SL group were significantly lower than those of rats in S group at PSH 12, 24 (with F value respectively 20.936 and 19.854, P values all below 0.01), while DAO levels of rats in SL group were significantly lower than those of rats in S group at PSH 3, 12 (with F value respectively 21.930 and 11.342, P values all below 0.05). (4) The levels of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in S group were significantly higher than those of SI group at each time point (P values all below 0.01). The levels of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in SL group were significantly higher than those of S group at PSH 6, 12 and 24 (with F value respectively 96.517, 17.365, 79.715 and 21.328, 17.682, 28.424, P<0.05 or P<0.01). IL-10 level in SL group was higher than that in S group at each time point, and the differences were statistically significant at PSH 6 and 24 (with F value respectively 8.668, 19.634, P < 0.05 or P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Early administration of lytic cocktail can attenuate edema and injury of intestinal mucosa in severely scalded rats. The mechanism may lie in that it can reduce the expression of ICAM-1 in intestinal mucosa, decrease the number of intestinal inflammatory cells and regulate the levels of inflammatory cytokines.</p>

MRI study on the relationship between the invasion patterns and staging of nasopharyngeal carcinoma / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the peri-nasopharyngeal invasion patterns of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) on MRI and its relationship with tumor staging. Methods One thousand five hundred and seventy-three patients with newly diagnosed NPC which were histo-pathologically proved were retrospectively studied. The MRI manifestations and invasion patterns of the NPCs were elevated according to the 2008 Tstaging system of NPC. Z test was used to analyze the rate of adjacent structures invasion in NPCs. Results The structures invaded by NPCs included pharyngobasilar fascia in 1299 cases (82. 58% ); parapharyngeal space, 1090 ( 69. 29% ); nasal cavities, 304 ( 19. 33% ); oropharynx, 49 ( 3. 12% ); carotid space,514(32. 68% ); medial pterygoid muscle, 661 (42. 02% ); lateral pterygoid muscle, 210( 13. 35% ); skull base bones, 943(59. 95% ); cranial nerves, 630(40. 05% ) and paranasal sinuses, 242 ( 15.38% ). The T-stage distribution was T1, 242 cases ( 15.38% ); T2, 288 ( 18. 31% ); T3, 410 (26. 06% ) and T4,633 (40. 24% ). Among the cases with nasal cavities invasion, 90. 46% (275/304)showed the involvement of the structures seen in T3 or T4 stage, which was found in all cases with oropharynx invasion. In addition,69. 14% (457/661) of cases with medial pterygoid muscle invasion and 92. 15% (223/242) of cases with paranasal sinuses invasion showed the involvement of structures seen in T4 stage. As for the invasion patterns of NPC, the lateral invasion of pharyngobasilar fascia was more frequent than upward invasion of skull base (Z = 14. 025, P ＜ 0. 01 ) and downward invasion of oropharynx ( Z = 45.032, P ＜ 0. 01 ), and the downward invasion of oropharynx was less frequent than upward invasion of skull base ( Z = 34. 301, P ＜ 0. 01 ) and forward invasion of nasal cavities ( Z = 14. 404, P ＜ 0. 01 ). Conclusion NPC has a predilection of lateral invasion rather than upward and downward invasion, and its upward and forward invasion are more common than downward invasion.

To intensify our understanding about management of severe burn infection / 中华烧伤杂志

Nowadays, it is necessary to emphasize the three basic inseparable elements in the treatment of severe burn infection, which are systemic care, burn wound care, and rational use of antimicrobials topically or systematically. Systemic care has been shifted from simple nutritional support to maintaining the systemic homeostasis, including balancing immune-inflammatory response, and protecting organs from dysfunction. Some work focused on regulating systemic immune response in the initial phase and the balance of inflammatory response after occurrence of severe burn infection have been reported. These results at least broaden our thinking to recognize that treatment should not only destroy microbes, but also balance the response of the body. Escharectomy in earlier phase has been a consensus. Currently, we turn our vision into how to use "damage control surgery (DCS)" concept in management of severe burn. DCS in burn care includes the evaluation of perioperative situation more accurate to make a more appropriate surgical decision. Meanwhile, an overall strategy should be established to confront the rapidly increasing drug resistance of the pathogens. The release of endotoxin after use of antimicrobials, which has been studied widely, should be explored further.

Effect of different immunomodulation on inflammatory response in burn rats with sepsis / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Thymosin and growth hormone(GH) on inflammatory response in burn rats or burn rats with sepsis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-four SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (NC, without treatment), sepsis group (S, with injection of LPS), sepsis + Thymosin group (ST, with successive injection of Thymosin and LPS), sepsis + GH group [SGH, with successive injection of recombinant human GH (rhGH) and LPS], burn group, burn + sepsis group (BS, with injection of LPS after burn), burn + sepsis + Thymosin group (BST, with successive injection of Thymosin and LPS after burn), burn + sepsis + GH (BSGH, with successive injection of rhGH and LPS after burn), with 8 rats in each group. Specimens of spleen tissues were harvested to determine HLA-DR in lymphocyte and evaluate inflammatory cell infiltration (score). Specimens of peripheral blood were collected to determine Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) level in monocyte and serum level of TNF-alpha, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with those in NC group, serum level of IL-10 in S group decreased obviously, while other indices increased obviously (P < 0.01). The levels of HLA-DR and TLR4 and serum level of TNF-alpha were similar between SGH and ST groups (P > 0.05). Compared with those in SGH group [(2.87 +/- 0.04) score, and IL-6 (0.0083 +/- 0.0018) microg/mg, IL-4 (0.0102 +/- 0.0021) microg/mg, IL-10 (0.0310 +/- 0.0027) microg/mg, respectively], degree of inflammatory cell infiltration (1.50 +/- 0.76) score and serum levels of IL-6, IL-4, IL-10 of rats in ST group decreased obviously (0.0064 +/- 0.0012, 0.0058 +/- 0.0024, 0.0230 +/- 0.0021 microg/mg, respectively, P < 0.01). The levels of HLA-DR, TLR4 and inflammatory cell infiltration degree of spleen in B group were respectively higher than those in NC group and lower than those in BS group. Compared with those in NC group, serum levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6 in B group increased significantly, while IL-4, IL-10 showed an opposite tendency. There was no obvious difference between BST and BSGH groups in serum levels of HLA-DR and IL-6 (P > 0.05). Compared with those in BST group, inflammatory cell infiltration degree in spleen and the levels of TLR, TNF-alpha obviously decreased (P < 0.01), while IL-4 and IL-10 levels increased in BSGH group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Inhibitive effects between Thymosin and GH on extensive inflammatory reaction were similar with or without trauma, and GH has better effect as compared with Thymosin when with trauma.</p>

Comparison between intermingled skin transplantation and microskin grafting in repairing massive deep burn / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study difference in curative effect between intermingled skin transplantation (IT) and microskin grafting (MG) in repairing massive deep burn.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical materials of 101 patients with massive deep burn hospitalized from 1992 to 2008 were retrospectively summarized. Patients were divided into IT group (n = 52) and MG group (n = 49). The size of initial donor site for autologous skin, the wound size initially covered with autologous skin, the survival rate of initial autologous skin grafting, the theoretical expansion multiple of the autologous skin, the actual expansion multiple of the autologous skin, the total size of donated autologous skin, the remained wound condition, and the function of large joint of patients in two groups were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In IT group and MG group, the size of initial donor site for autologous skin was respectively (3.25 +/- 0.48)%TBSA and (3.01 +/- 0.21)%TBSA, the wound size initially covered by autologous skin was respectively (30.4 +/- 3.6)%TBSA and (41.4 +/- 1.3)%TBSA, the survival rate of autologous skin grafting was respectively (99.9 +/- 1.9)% and (87.5 +/- 6.8)%, the theoretical expansion multiple of the autologous skin was respectively 9.5 +/- 1.3 and 13.9 +/- 1.4, the actual expansion multiple of the autologous skin was respectively 9.5 +/- 1.3 and 12.0 +/- 1.5, the difference between two figures of each index was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no statistical significant difference between IT and MG group in respect of the total size of donated autologous skin [respectively (14.2 +/- 1.9) and (14.0 +/- 2.1)%TBSA, P > 0.05]. There were 23 patients (44.2%) with residual wounds over 0.5%TBSA in IT group, and 37 cases (75.5%) in MG group. There were 34 patients (65.4%) with good function of large joints in IT group, and 18 cases (36.7%) in MG group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Expansion multiple of autologous skin after MG is obviously larger than that after IT, thus limited skin source can be fully used. The wound healing quality and the restoration of large joint function of patients treated with IT are better than those of patients treated with MG.</p>

A survey of sanitary working status 20 days after the earthquake in Dujiangyan municipality / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the sanitary working status in the districts for locating residents after earthquake in Dujiangyan municipality.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Some immediate measures were taken after the earthquake including water source surveillance, restoring immunization system and epidemic surveillance. A questionnaire survey was also conducted to collect information in 107 locating districts of 18 towns.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Generally, the sanitary working status was good. Temporary sheds in most districts were Tents (75.70%, 81/107) and simple sheds (19.63%, 21/107), and 69.16% (74/107) districts could use water supply and 94.39% (101/107) arrange specialized persons to disinfect the environment and kill pests. The fly density was 2 per eye-view. The proportions for the correct responds to health knowledge, action adopted and attitude of residents were all above 90%. According to the epidemic surveillance system and mobile syndrome surveillance system in disaster area, there was no increasing trend for the incidences of contagious diseases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>20 days after earthquake, the whole situation of disease prevention in disaster area is stable.</p>

The intermingled transplantation used in severe burn patients after eschar excision / 中华烧伤杂志

In the early developing stage of burn surgery, severe burn patients with large and deep burn wound often died of complications because of shortage of auto-skin. The method of intermingled transplantation composed of a large sheet of partial thickness allo-skin with punched holes for in laying small pieces of partial thickness auto-skin was first advocated by Chinese doctors (Ruijin Hospital) in 1960's. This intermingled transplantation method has saved many severe burn patients with extensive full-thickness burn wound. The mortality rate of severe burn patients has decreased and the survival rate has increased remarkably since the intermingled transplantation treatment method used in the burn units. In this paper we review the process of formation of intermingled transplantation and the mechanisms of success of this Chinese method in repairing the large wound surface area after eschar excision. We will focus our discussion on the low systemic immunological reaction, the effect of auto-skin islet, local immunological tolerance induced by in layed auto skin, the balance of Th1 and Th2 cells and the effects of some cytokines such as IL-10 in local immunological tolerance and etc. after intermingled transplantation.

Study of neovascularization disturbance in deep partial-thickness scald in rats with diabetes mellitus / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relationship between the degree of neovascularization and non-healing wounds in scalded rats with diabetic mellitus.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group (C, n = 30, with treatment of isotonic saline) and streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic group (D, n = 30, with treatment of STZ), and then they were inflicted with 20% TBSA deep partial thickness scald. Wound specimens were harvested immediately after scald and on 1, 3, 7, 10, 14, 21 post scald days (PSD) to observe histological changes, and wound healing rates were calculated. Degree of neovascularization in wound (labeled with blue microsphere) and the quantity of vascular endothelial cells (labeled with red CD31) were also measured by double-labeling immunofluorescence.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with those in C group, Wound healing rate and histological value scores were lowered, and the degree of neovascularization was abated markedly at each time point. The degree of neovascularization in D group (12.00 +/- 1.40) was obviously lower than that in C group on 7 PSD (60.00 +/- 3.00, P <0.01). There was no obvious difference in the number of vascular endothelial cells in both groups, however, the majority of endothelial cells had not formed functional capillaries in D group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Vascular endothelial cell can proliferate actively with poor blood supply in diabetic nonhealing with deep partial-thickness scald wounds, but it is still poor in blood supply due to lack of functional capillaries.</p>

Effect of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor on wound healing in patients with deep partial thickness burn / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) hydrogel in wound healing in patients with deep partial thickness burn.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The study was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel clinical trial. Three hundred and twenty-one patients (302 cases finally fulfilled the protocol) with deep partial thickness burn were divided into A group (n = 200, with treatment of rhGM-CSF hydrogel, 100 microg/10 g/100 cm2/d), C group (n = 102,with treatment of placebo). Side-effect, systemic condition, wound healing time, wound healing rate, and total effective rate at different time points were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were no obvious differences in vital signs, wound secretion, wound edge reaction, blood and urine routine, liver and kidney function between two groups (P > 0.05). No side-effect was observed. The median wound healing time was 17 days in A group, which was obviously shorter than that in C group (20 days, P < 0.01). The mean wound healing rate in A group was 24.5%, 70.5%, 95.3%, 99.6% respectively on 8th, 14th, 20th, 28th day after treatment, which were obviously higher than that in C group (15.1%, 51.4%, 84.6%, 97.1%, respectively, P < 0.01). The total effective rates in A group on 8th, 14th, 20th day after treatment were also higher than that in C group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>rhGM-CSF hydrogel can significantly accelerate wound healing in patients with deep partial thickness burn with certain safety.</p>

Analysis of the influence on the prognosis and safety of arginine in patients with severe trauma and burns--a multi-center randomized double blinded, placebo controlled, clinical trail in 86 patients / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the influence on prognosis and possible side-effects of arginine in</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Multi-center clinical trial, randomized double blinded patients with severe trauma and burns. and placebo control methods were employed in the study. Eighty-six patients with severe trauma and burns were randomly divided into control (C, n = 45) and arginine treatment (Arg, n = 41) groups. The patients in Arg group received arginine in dose of 0. 4 g x kg(-1) x d(-1) orally, while those in C group received same dose of placebo (tyrosine) for 7 days. All the patients in both groups were given diet with equal calories and equal nitrogen content. The changes in the wound healing time, hospital stay, and the incidence of side-effects of the medication in both groups of patients were observed and compared before and after the supplementation of arginine.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The wound healing time and hospital stay days of severe trauma patient in Arg group (n = 29) were 11. 1+/-2. 8 d and 19+/-6 d, which were all obviously shorter than those in C group (13. 2+/-5. 5 d, 22 +/-6 d, n =33, P <0.05). On the other hand, in severe burn patients there were no significant difference of the wound healing time (20+/-5 d vs 22+/-8 d, n = 12, P > 0. 05) and hospital stay days (28+/-6 d vs 29+/-8 d, n = 12, P >0. 05) between the Arg and C groups. In addition, in C and Arg groups, the occurrence of the side-effects were seldom (2. 44% vs 2. 22% , P = 1. 000) and it disappeared when the supplementation of drugs was stopped.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Oral feeding of arginine is beneficial in enhancing wound healing, reduction of hospital stay days in severe trauma patients and with little side-effects, but it is not beneficial to improve the prognosis of severe burn patients. Maybe this is due to inadequate number of case involved in the study.</p>

Multi-center clinical study of the effect of silver nitrate ointment on the partial-thickness burn wounds / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the therapeutic effect of silver nitrate ointment on partial-thickness burn wounds, and observe its side-effects.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Multi-center, randomized, positive drug paralleled self-controlled trial was carried out. Eighty patients with superficial partial-thickness burns, and 40 with deep-partial thickness burns were randomized into AgNO3 group and SD-Ag group according to drug topically applied to the wounds. The wound healing time, wound healing rate and bacterial culture of the wound, the effect and safety of the drug, as well as drug irritation to the wounds were studied in these two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>For the patients with superficial partial-thickness burn wounds, the wound healing time in silver nitrate group was (9.5 +/- 2.7) days, which was obviously shorter than that in SD-Ag group [(10.8 +/- 3.4) days, P <0.01]. The wound healing rate in silver nitrate group on 7 post-burn day ( PBD) was (77.9 +/- 20.5)%, which was obviously higher than that in SD-Ag group [(67.3 +/- 22.6) %, P < 0.01]. For those with deep-partial thickness burn wounds, the wound healing time in silver nitrate group was (21.5 +/- 4.8) days, which was evidently shorter than that in SD-Ag group [(23.3 +/- 6.4) days, P <0.01]. The wound healing rate in silver nitrate group on 20 PBD was (86.6 +/- 15.9)%, which was evidently higher than that in SD-Ag group [(78.5 +/- 17.7)%, P < 0.01]. Silver nitrate ointment has the same antibacterial effect as 1% SD-Ag cream, but it was less painful when applied to the open wounds.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Silver nitrate ointment is an effective and safe medicament for the clinical management of partial-thickness burn wounds.</p>

Multi-center clinical study of acticoat (nanocrystalline silver dressing) for the management of residual burn wounds / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of Acticoat (nanocrystalline silver dressing) for the treatment of residual burn wounds.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-eight patients with 166 residual burn wounds were enrolled in the multi-center randomized clinical trials. In addition to the routine treatment, Acticoat was applied onto the wounds of the trial group once a day if there was much exudation from the wound, or the dressing change was made every other two days when the wounds were clean. Silver sulfadiazine (SD-Ag) was used in the control group of patients. The healing time was observed up to 20 days. The healing rate on the 15th day after treatment was taken as the percentage of healing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average healing time was (12 +/- 5) days after the application of Acticoat, which was significantly shorter than that in control wounds with SD-Ag (16 +/- 6) days, (P = 0.005 < 0.01). The total effective rate of the wounds for trial was 97.05%, which was higher than that in control (94.17%) group, but there was no statistically significant difference. The bacterial clearing rate of the Acticoat group on the 6th and 12th post treatment day was 21.7% and 43.5% respectively, which was significantly higher than that in control group. No side-effect was observed in the two groups during the study.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acticoat with nanocrystalline silver can promote the healing of residual burn wounds effectively.</p>

The biological characteristics of dermal fibroblasts of the diabetic rats with deep-partial thickness scald / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the biological characteristics of dermal fibroblasts of the diabetic rats with deep partial thickness scald, and to explore its relationship with delayed wound healing due to diabetes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250 g were randomly divided into control (NM, n=40) and STZ-induced diabetic (DM, n=50) groups, and then deep partial thickness scald involving 10% TBSA were reproduced in the two groups. Skin samples were harvested from the wounds on 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21 post scald day (PSD) for the determination of certain histological characteristics.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The thickness of dermis layer in DM group before injury was obviously thinner than that in NM group (P < 0.01). There was an infiltration of a large amount of chronic inflammatory cells and increased content of cutaneous glucose in the dermal tissue in DM group (2.77 mg/g) compared with 0.85 mg/g in NM group, (P < 0.01). An accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) was found in the dermal tissue in DM group. After the scalding, the percentage of fibroblasts in S phase and hydroxyproline synthesis in DM group was evidently lower than those in NM group. But the apoptosis rate of fibroblasts was much higher in DM group than that in NM group (P < 0.05 or 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It is found that the high contents of glucose and AGEs in diabetic skin exert untoward effects on biological characteristics of dermal fibroblast, probably constituting one of the underlying mechanisms of delay wound healing of scald in diabetic rats.</p>