Application of chitosan-based hydrogels carrying antimicrobial agents in wound healing / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: With the development of chemical synthesis technology, the application of chitosan-based hydrogels as wound dressing has become a hotspot in current research. OBJECTIVE: To generally introduce the chitosan-based hydrogels and to review and summarize the application of chitosan-based hydrogels carrying antimicrobial agents in wound healing.METHODS: A computer retrieval of PubMed, Web of Science, Springerlink and Medline databases was performed with "chitosan hydrogel, wound healing, dressing, antimicrobial agents" as key words for relevant articles published from 2007 to 2016. Initially, 168 articles were retrieved, and finally 76 articles were included in result analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Because of their inherent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, chitosan-based hydrogels possess the ability of absorbing exudates and forming thin film between the wound and the external environment, to exert their advantages for chronic, non-healing wounds caused by infection. Furthermore, chitosan-based hydrogels carrying antibacterial agents can inhibit the growth of microorganisms in the wound, accelerating the progress of wound healing. Moreover, the antimicrobial agents, including organic antibacterial agents and inorganic antibacterial agents (especially nano-silver), show unique advantages in wound healing and microbial resistance in combination with chitosan-based hydrogels.

Application of chitosan-based hydrogels carrying antimicrobial agents in wound healing / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: With the development of chemical synthesis technology, the application of chitosan-based hydrogels as wound dressing has become a hotspot in current research. OBJECTIVE: To generally introduce the chitosan-based hydrogels and to review and summarize the application of chitosan-based hydrogels carrying antimicrobial agents in wound healing.METHODS: A computer retrieval of PubMed, Web of Science, Springerlink and Medline databases was performed with "chitosan hydrogel, wound healing, dressing, antimicrobial agents" as key words for relevant articles published from 2007 to 2016. Initially, 168 articles were retrieved, and finally 76 articles were included in result analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Because of their inherent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, chitosan-based hydrogels possess the ability of absorbing exudates and forming thin film between the wound and the external environment, to exert their advantages for chronic, non-healing wounds caused by infection. Furthermore, chitosan-based hydrogels carrying antibacterial agents can inhibit the growth of microorganisms in the wound, accelerating the progress of wound healing. Moreover, the antimicrobial agents, including organic antibacterial agents and inorganic antibacterial agents (especially nano-silver), show unique advantages in wound healing and microbial resistance in combination with chitosan-based hydrogels.

The reliability and validity of the Chinese version of nurses' self-concept questionnaire.

AIM: To examine the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of nurses' self-concept questionnaire. BACKGROUND: Nurses' self-concept is important to alleviate the current shortage of nurses. Nurses' self-concept questionnaire is an effective instrument to measure nurses' self-perception of professional competencies. However, the psychometric properties of the Chinese version have not been tested. METHODS: A two-stage research design was used in this study. At Stage 1347 registered nurses were recruited to establish the psychometric properties of the Chinese version. At Stage 2, a confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine the extracted factor structure from Stage 1 with 1017 respondents as a sample. RESULTS: The internal consistency of the Chinese version was 0.95 and the test-retest reliability was 0.83. The exploratory factor analysis extracted six dimensions. The findings at Stage 2 showed an acceptable model fit and discriminant validity. The Chinese version was a significant predictor of Maslach Burnout Inventory (ß = -0.58; P = 0.00). CONCLUSIONS: This study verified the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of nurses' self-concept questionnaire. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: The Chinese version of nurses' self-concept questionnaire will facilitate the evaluation of professional self-concept among nurses and help to develop the individualized self-concept strategies.

Alterations in gene expression and steroidogenesis in the testes of transient cerebral ischemia in male rats.

BACKGROUND: Serum testosterone levels have been found lower in acute ischemic stroke male patients. However, the exact mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, we measured serum testosterone levels, steroidogenesis- related genes and Leydig cells number in experimental transient cerebral ischemia male rats to elucidate the mechanism. METHODS: The middle cerebral arteries of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were sutured for 120 minutes and then sacrificed after 24 hours. Blood was collected for measurement of serum testosterone, follicular stimulating hormone and estradiol levels, and testes were collected for measurement of steroidogenesis-related gene mRNA levels and number of Leydig cells. RESULTS: Serum testosterone levels in rats after cerebral ischemia were significantly lower (0.53 ± 0.16) ng/ml, n = 7, mean ± SE) compared with control ((2.33 ± 0.60) ng/ml, n = 7), while serum estradiol and follicular stimulating hormone levels did not change. The mRNA levels for luteinizing hormone receptor (Lhcgr), scavenger receptor class B member 1 (Scarb1), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme (Cyp11a1), 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (HSD3ß1), 17α-hydroxylase/20-lyase (Cyp17a1) and membrane receptor c-kit (kit) were significantly downregulated by cerebral ischemia, while luteinizing hormone, Kit ligand (KitL), 17ß-hydrosteroid dehydrogenase 3 (HSD17ß3) and 5α-reductase (Srd5a1) were not affected. We also observed that, relative to control, the Leydig cell number did not change. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that transient cerebral ischemia in the brain results in lower expression levels of steroidogenesis-related genes and thus lower serum testosterone level. Transient cerebral ischemia did not lower the number of Leydig cells.