Antibiotic prophylaxis for surgical wound infections in clean and clean-contaminated surgery: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and necessity of prophylactic antibiotics in clean and clean-contaminated surgery remains controversial. METHODS: The studies were screened and extracted using databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Clinical Trials.gov according to predefined eligibility criteria. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effect of preoperative and postoperative prophylactic antibiotic use on the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) in patients undergoing any clean or clean-contaminated surgery. RESULTS: A total of 16,189 participants in 48 RCTs were included in the primary meta-analysis following the eligibility criteria. The pooled odds ratio (OR) for SSI with antibiotic prophylaxis versus placebo was 0.60 (95% CI: 0.53-0.68). The pooled OR among gastrointestinal, oncology, orthopedics, neurosurgery, oral, and urology surgery was 3.06 (95% CI: 1.05-8.91), 1.16 (95% CI: 0.89-1.50), 2.04 (95% CI: 1.09-3.81), 3.05 (95% CI: 1.25-7.47), 3.55 (95% CI: 1.78-7.06), and 2.26 (95% CI: 1.12-4.55), respectively. Furthermore, the summary mean difference (MD) for patients' length of hospitalization was -0.91 (95% CI: -1.61, -0.16). The results of sensitivity analyses for all combined effect sizes showed good stability. CONCLUSION: Antibiotics are both effective, safe, and necessary in preventing surgical wound infections in clean and clean-contaminated procedures, attributed to their reduction in the incidence of surgical site infections as well as the length of patient hospitalization.

Rose bengal as photocatalyst: visible light-mediated Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles with nitroalkenes in water.

A novel and facile visible-light-mediated alkylation of indoles and nitroalkenes has been developed. In this protocol, rose bengal acts as a photosensitizer, and environmentally benign water was used as the green and efficient reaction medium. Indoles reacted smoothly with nitroalkenes under the irradiation of visible-light and generated corresponding 3-(2-nitroalkyl)indoles in moderate to good yields (up to 87%).

Enantioselective photooxygenation of ß-dicarbonyl compounds in batch and flow photomicroreactors.

A series of C-2' modified cinchonine-derived phase-transfer catalysts were synthesized and used in the enantioselective photo-organocatalytic aerobic oxidation of ß-dicarbonyl compounds with excellent yields (up to 97%) and high enantioselectivities (up to 90% ee). Furthermore, the reaction was carried out in a flow photomicroreactor, in which the heterogeneous gas-liquid-liquid asymmetric photocatalytic oxidation reaction was performed affording good yields (up to 97%) and enantioselectivities (up to 86% ee) within 0.89 min.

Unexpected fungal communities in the Rehai thermal springs of Tengchong influenced by abiotic factors.

Fungal communities represent an indispensable part of the geothermal spring ecosystem; however, studies on fungal community within hot springs are still scant. Here, we used Illumina HiSeq 2500 sequencing to detect fungal community diversity in extremely acidic hot springs (pH < 4) and neutral and alkaline springs (pH > 6) of Tengchong-indicated by the presence of over 0.75 million valid reads. These sequences were phylogenetically assigned to 5 fungal phyla, 67 order, and 375 genera, indicating unexpected fungal diversity in the hot springs. The genera such as Penicillium, Entyloma, and Cladosporium dominated the fungal community in the acidic geothermal springs, while the groups such as Penicillium, Engyodontium, and Schizophyllum controlled the fungal assemblages in the alkaline hot springs. The alpha-diversity indices and the abundant fungal taxa were significantly correlated with physicochemical factors of the hot springs particularly pH, temperature, and concentrations of Fe2+, NH4+, NO 2-, and S2-, suggesting that the diversity and distribution of fungal assemblages can be influenced by the complex environmental factors of hot springs.

Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer.

Robotic gastrectomy (RG) has progressed rapidly in the last decade, overcoming many obstacles in laparoscopic technology. We compared surgical performance and short-term clinical outcomes between RG and laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG). In total, 163 patients with gastric cancer were randomly treated with RG (n=102) or LG (n=61). D2 lymphadenectomy was achieved in all patients. Digestive tract reconstruction in the RG group was performed by intracorporeal hand sewing, but extracorporeal anastomosis in the LG group was performed with a 25-mm circular stapler or linear stapler. Compared with the LG group, the RG group had less intraoperative blood loss (P=0.005) and more lymph nodes retrieved (P=0.000). Postoperative complications between the 2 groups were not significantly different during the 11-month follow-up (P=0.063). Compared with LG, RG is a feasible and safe approach with minimally invasive, satisfactory intracorporeal digestive tract reconstruction, and fast recovery. Multicenter randomized controlled studies of larger numbers of patients are needed.

Saliva CA125 and TPS levels in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the levels of carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) and tissue polypeptide-specific antigen (TPS) in saliva of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and patients with nonneoplastic disease of the oral cavity, and to investigate their diagnostic value and their relationship with pathological grade and clinical stage. METHODS: A total of 97 hospitalized patients with OSCC, 36 patients with nonneoplastic disease of the oral cavity and 50 healthy individuals were included in this investigation. Mixed saliva was collected from these patients and the healthy controls before treatment. Saliva samples were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The saliva CA125 and TPS concentrations were significantly higher in patients with OSCC than in patients with nonneoplastic disease and healthy controls, but not significantly different between patients with nonneoplastic disease and controls. Neither the saliva CA125 nor the TPS level was correlated with pathological grade and clinical stage. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of saliva CA125 and TPS for the diagnosis of OSCC were 80.0%, 66.0%, 75.7%, and 82.1%, 74.0%, 79.3%, respectively. When CA125 and TPS were analyzed independently, there was no significant difference in sensitivity, specificity and accuracy between the two markers. When CA125 and TPS were analyzed in combination, there was no significant difference in sensitivity, specificity and accuracy between independent detection and combined detection. CONCLUSIONS: The saliva CA125 and TPS concentrations were elevated in patients with OSCC. CA125 and TPS may prove to be useful tumor markers in OSCC.

[Effect of nicotine on the proliferation and cell apoptosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma SCC15 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of nicotine on the proliferation and cell apoptosis in SCC15 oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. METHODS: The growth, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and nuclear factor kappalight-chain-enhancer of activated B cell (NF-κB) DNA binding activity were detected in SCC15 oral cancer cell using methly thiazolyl tetrazolium assay, flow cytometry, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: In SCC15 cells treated with nicotine for 48 h at different concentrations (0.1, 1, 10 µmol/L) ROS level was (98.24 ± 0.04)%, (98.50 ± 0.06)%, (98.61 ± 0.07)%, respectively, which were significantly higher than in control groups [(96.01 ± 0.58)%, P = 0.000] and the A value for cell growth was 2.19 ± 0.08, 2.20 ± 0.11 and 2.38 ± 0.08, respectively, which were significantly higher than in control groups (1.93 ± 0.13) (P < 0.05). Only 1 µmol/L nicotine induced significantly higher cell apoptosis than in other groups (P = 0.000). Cell growth was inhibited in SCC15 cells treated with 1 µmol/L nicotine for 72 h, which had statistically significant difference compared with control (P = 0.022). Cell apoptosis rate in 1 µmol/L nicotine treated groups for 24 h was significantly higher than 48 h and 72 h (P = 0.000). NF-κB expression in the nucleus were increased in SCC15 cells treated with 1 µmol/L nicotine for 24, 48 and 72 h and the A value for NF-κB DNA binding activity was 1.509, 1.093 and 0.746, respectively, which were higher than in control group (0.544). CONCLUSIONS: Nicotine induced SCC15 cell growth and apoptosis, which maybe by NF-κB signal pathway activated in oral cancer cells.

[Expression of survivin, caspase-3 in oral precancerous lesions and oral squamous-cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the roles of surviving and caspase-3 in the development of oral cancer. METHODS: Archival tissue sections of 17 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), 28 oral leukoplakia with dysplasia, 10 normal oral mucosa were obtained from Capital Medical University School of Stomatology for immunohistochemical staining of markers of survivin and caspase-3. The cell apoptosis was detected with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nucleotide shift enzyme (TdT) mediated d-UTP end labeling (TUNEL). Positively stained cells were counted and analyzed statistically to determine potential relationship between survivin, caspase-3 and cell apoptosis. RESULTS: The expression of survivin was faint or negative in normal epithelial cells. The average positive rate of survivin was (1.05 ± 1.21)% in control group and (21.89 ± 10.45)% in OSCC. Caspase-3 was expressed in all the normal mucosa,but it obviously down-regulated in dysplasia and OSCC. The apoptosis index (AI) decreased from (0.89 ± 0.46)% in normal mucosa to (0.21 ± 0.12)% in OSCC. CONCLUSIONS: Both survivin and caspase-3 are associated with carcinogenesis of the oral mucosa. Survivin may restrain cell apoptosis by inhibiting caspase-3.

[Effect of nerve growth factor on the early phase of osseointegration around oral implants].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the early bone integration of oral implants after injection of exogenous nerve growth factor (NGF) and investigate the effects of NGF on peri-implant osseointegration. METHODS: Twelve New Zealand white rabbits were used in this study to establish bi-mandible implant model. Then local injection of 1 µg NGF was given on the right side of the mandible as experimental group and normal saline only was injected on the left side as control group once a day for seven days. The rabbits were respectively sacrificed at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after surgery. The implant-bone grinding samples were prepared and stained by toluidine blue for general observation, X-ray, histology and bone histomorphometry analysis. RESULTS: The density of the new bone around implants at 2 and 4 weeks was lower than normal bone. Compared with the control group, the quantity of new bone and bone-implant contact ratio significantly increased in the experimental group. At 8 weeks, the new bone density in both groups was similar to the normal bone. In the experimental group, the haversian system was observed. Bone contact ratio was significantly different between experimental and control group at 2 and 4 weeks, but similar at 8 weeks.[control group at 2 weeks (26.67 ± 3.88)%, 4 weeks (52.59 ± 5.07)% and 8 weeks (97.33 ± 6.75)%, experimental group at 2 weeks (42.24 ± 6.67)%, 4 weeks (72.25 ± 6.30)% and 8 weeks (99.15 ± 4.68)%]. CONCLUSIONS: Applying exogenous NGF in the early phase could accelerate the formation and maturation of trabecular bone around the implants and shorten the period of osseointegration. Nerve growth factor could promote osseointegration in the early stage of oral implantation.

Homologous recombination as an evolutionary force in the avian influenza A virus.

Avian influenza A viruses (AIVs), including the H5N1, H9N2, and H7N7 subtypes, have been directly transmitted to humans, raising concerns over the possibility of a new influenza pandemic. To prevent a future avian influenza pandemic, it is very important to fully understand the molecular basis driving the change in AIV virulence and host tropism. Although virulent variants of other viruses have been generated by homologous recombination, the occurrence of homologous recombination within AIV segments is controversial and far from proven. This study reports three circulating H9N2 AIVs with similar mosaic PA genes descended from H9N2 and H5N1. Additionally, many homologous recombinants are also found deposited in GenBank. Recombination events can occur in PB2, PB1, PA, HA, and NP segments and between lineages of the same/different serotype. These results collectively demonstrate that intragenic recombination plays a role in driving the evolution of AIVs, potentially resulting in effects on AIV virulence and host tropism changes.

[Electronic surveying of digital partially dentate casts].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a method of surveying the digitalized partially dentate cast in order to accomplish computer aided design (CAD) of removable partial denture (RPD) frameworks. METHODS: The stone cast of a partially dentate patient was scanned using a three-dimensional laser scanner. Points on the surface of the digitalized cast, termed as a "point cloud", were obtained. The point cloud was then imported into self-developed Tanglong software to sample and uniform. New module of identifying the surveying lines was specially written in Tanglong using C++. A straight line was created in the center of the cloud point. Then the cloud point surrounding the straight line was divided into many parts. Local coordinates were established to indicate the information of angle and distance of every point to the straight line. Surveying lines were produced step by step electronically by identifying the closest and farthest points relative to the straight line and then connected together. Different surveying lines were obtained by adjusting the angle of the straight line. After the surveying lines were decided, the undercut areas could be marked and the depth of undercut was calculated automatically. The blockout of the undercuts could also be achieved by moving the location of the point cloud in undercut area. RESULTS: Survey lines of digitalized partially dentate casts were generated in computer. The undercut area and its depth were identified and the undercut could be blocked out. The shape of survey lines on the digitalized casts was similar to that on the physical casts drawn using traditional method. CONCLUSIONS: The new module in Tanglong software was developed specifically for surveying partially dentate casts. It had a user-friendly interface with the easy-to-understand menus. The success of surveying dental casts digitally would make it possible to CAD of RPD frameworks.

[Cytokeratin 18 and their gene expression in jaw odontogenic keratocyst epithelial lining].

OBJECTIVE: To examine cytokeratin 18(CK18) and it's gene in jaw odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) epithelial lining. METHODS: The epithelial linings of 32 cases were subject to monoclonal antibody immunohistochemical staining for CK18, CK8 and CK19. RT-PCR and in situ hybridization for CK18 mRNA were conducted in 12 of 32 cases in keratocyst epithelial cell linings. RESULTS: In 17 cases, CK18 were observed in keratinized surface layers, though weakly positive. In 27 cases, CK18 were positive in the granular cell layers. CK18 were also positive in the spinous cell layers in 14 cases. In all cases, CK18 was negative in basal cell layers. By RT-PCR, 4 cases expressed CK18 strongly, 8 cases weakly. By in situ hybridization, 8 cases expressed CK18 mRNA positively in both spinous and granular cell layers, and 4 cases positively in basal and keratinized cell layers. CK8 were expressed in basal cell layers of keratocyst epithelial linings. In 23 cases, CK19 were expressed in surface cell layers of keratocyst epithelial linings. CONCLUSION: The expression of CK18 in keratocyst epithelial linings transfers from basal cell layer to spinous layer. The expression of CK18 immunohistochemical staining and CK18 mRNA in situ hybridization are different, which shows CK18 might be related to proliferation of OKC epithelial linings. That suggests the existence of regulation of CK18 and CK18 mRNA expression.