LY6/PLAUR domain containing 3 (LYPD3) maintains melanoma cell stemness and mediates an immunosuppressive microenvironment.

BACKGROUND: Malignant melanoma is a highly heterogeneous skin cancer with the highest mortality rate among dermatological cancers. Catenins form functional networks in the nucleus to regulate gene expression and determine cell fate. Dysregulation of catenin expression correlates with the malignant characteristics of the tumor. We aimed to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of catenins in melanoma and to further define the function of catenin-related molecular signaling in the tumor microenvironment. METHODS: In this study, a bioinformatics approach combined with experimental validation was used to explore the potential tumor biology mechanisms of catenin-related signaling. RESULTS: Melanoma patients can be divided into two catenin clusters. Patients defined by high Junction Plakoglobin (JUP), Plakophilin 1 (PKP1), Plakophilin 3 (PKP3) levels (C2) had shorter survival time than other patients (C1). We demonstrated that JUP regulates Anterior Gradient 2 (AGR2)/LY6/PLAUR Domain Containing 3 (LYPD3) to maintain melanoma stemness and promotes glycolysis. We also found that LYPD3 was co-expressed with S100A9 and associated with immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). CONCLUSION: The JUP/AGR2/LYPD3 signaling axis plays an important role in the malignant features of melanoma. Targeting the JUP/AGR2/LYPD3 signaling axis can help develop promising drugs.

An Analysis Regarding the Association Between the Nuclear Pore Complex (NPC) and Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC).

Background: The nuclear pore complex (NPC) is the main mediator of nuclear and cytoplasmic communication, and delaying or blocking nuclear RNA export and protein shuttling can inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. Although NPC is a research hotspot in structural biology, relevant studies in hepatocellular carcinoma are scarce, especially in terms of translation into clinical practice. Methods: This study used a bioinformatics approach combining validation experiments to investigate the biological mechanisms that may be related with NPC. A series of experiments performed to explore the function of the Targeting protein for Xenopus kinesin-like protein 2 (TPX2) in HCC. Results: Patients with HCC can be divided into two NPC clusters. Patients with high NPC levels (C1) had a shorter survival time than those with low NPC levels (C2) and are characterised by high levels of proliferative signals. We demonstrated that TPX2 regulates HCC growth and inhibits apoptosis in an NPC-dependent manner and contributes to the maintenance of HCC stemness. We developed the NPCScore to predict the prognosis and degree of differentiation in HCC patients. Conclusion: NPC plays an important role in the malignant proliferation of HCC. Assessing NPC expression patterns could help enhance our understanding of tumor cell proliferation and could guide more effective chemotherapeutic strategies.

Characteristics of bloodstream infection and initial antibiotic use in critically ill burn patients and their impact on patient prognosis.

To investigate the bacterial epidemiology of blood cultures taken during the treatment of critically ill burn patients, the use of antibiotics at admission and before the observation of positive blood cultures, and their effect on prognosis. A retrospective study method was used. From January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2019, burn patients who met the inclusion criteria and were treated at the Burn Department, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, were enrolled in the study. Data were collected from the patients' electronic medical records. General patient information, including length of hospital stay, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, in-hospital mortality, the bacteria epidemiological characteristics of blood cultures, and the use of antibiotics within 24 h after admission and before a positive blood culture was observed, was collected. Independent sample t tests and χ2 tests were used to compare the effects of a positive blood culture and the use of appropriate antibiotics within 24 h after admission and before the observation of a positive blood culture on prognosis. (1) The three most frequently detected bacteria in the blood cultures were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii, and the amount of K. pneumoniae detected increased gradually. (2) Compared with the group of patients who were negative for bloodstream infection , the positive bloodstream infection group had a larger total body burn surface area (TBSA) (t = - 5.097, P = 0.000) and third-degree burn area (t = - 5.133, P = 0.000), a significantly longer length of hospital stay (t = 3.003, P = 0.003) and the length of ICU stay (t = 4.258, P = 0.000), and a significantly higher rate of in-hospital mortality (χ2 = 8.485, P = 0.004). When K. pneumoniae was detected, the length of hospital stay (t = 2.148, P = 0.035) and the length of ICU stay (t = 2.880, P = 0.005) were significantly prolonged. (3) The two antibiotics that were most frequently used in patients with acute burns within 24 h after admission were lincomycin (90 cases, 29.32%) and carbapenems (79 cases, 25.73%). Comparing the clinical characteristics of the lincomycin group and the carbapenem group, the TBSA (t = - 3.34, P = 0.001) and the third-degree burn area (t = - 6.08, P = 0.000) of the patients in the carbapenem group were larger, and the length of hospital stay (t = - 2.136, P = 0.035) and length of ICU stay (t = - 5.18, P = 0.000) were longer, but the difference in in-hospital mortality was not statistically significant (χ2 = 1.983, P = 0.159). (4) Comparing the group with appropriate initial antibiotic use within 24 h of admission to the inappropriate use group, the TBSA (t = - 0.605, P = 0.547), the third-degree burn area (t = 0.348, P = 0.729), the length of hospital stay (t = - 0.767, P = 0.445), the length of ICU stay (t = - 0.220, P = 0.827) and in-hospital mortality (χ2 = 1.271, P = 0.260) were not significantly different. (5) Comparing the group with appropriate antibiotic use before a positive blood culture was observed to the group with inappropriate antibiotic use, the TBSA (t = - 0.418, P = 0.677), the third-degree burn area (t = 0.266, P = 0.791), the length of hospital stay, the length of ICU stay (t = 0.995, P = 0.322) and in-hospital mortality (χ2 = 1.274, P = 0.259) were not significantly different. We found that patients with a positive blood culture had a larger burn area and a worse prognosis; that the greater the amount of K. pneumoniae in the bloodstream of burn patients was, the longer the hospital and ICU stays were; that whether appropriate antibiotics were administered to acute critical burn patients 24 h after admission had no effect on the prognosis; and that whether appropriate antibiotics were administered before a positive blood culture was observed had no effect on prognosis.

Betulin Targets Lipin1/2-Meidated P2X7 Receptor as a Therapeutic Approach to Attenuate Lipid Accumulation and Metaflammation

The present study focused on the potential mechanism of betulin (BT), a pentacyclic triterpenoid isolated from the bark of white birch (Betula pubescens), against chronic alcohol-induced lipid accumulation and metaflammation. AML-12 and RAW 264.7 cells were administered ethanol (EtOH), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or BT. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed Lieber-DeCarli liquid diets containing 5% EtOH for 4 weeks, followed by single EtOH gavage on the last day and simultaneous treatment with BT (20 or 50 mg/ kg) by oral gavage once per day. In vitro, MTT showed that 0-25 mM EtOH and 0-25 μM BT had no toxic effect on AML-12 cells. BT could regulate sterolregulatory-element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), lipin1/2, P2X7 receptor (P2X7r) and NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) expressions again EtOH-stimulation. Oil Red O staining also indicated that BT significantly reduced lipid accumulation in EtOH-stimulated AML-12 cells. Lipin1/2 deficiency indicated that BT might mediate lipin1/2 to regulate SREBP1 and P2X7r expression and further alleviate lipid accumulation and inflammation. In vivo, BT significantly alleviated histopathological changes, reduced serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and triglyceride (TG) levels, and regulated lipin1/2, SREBP1, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α/γ (PPARα/γ) and PGC-1α expression compared with the EtOH group. BT reduced the secretion of inflammatory factors and blocked the P2X7rNLRP3 signaling pathway. Collectively, BT attenuated lipid accumulation and metaflammation by regulating the lipin1/2-mediated P2X7r signaling pathway.

Prognostic Value of LHFPL Tetraspan Subfamily Member 6 (LHFPL6) in Gastric Cancer: A Study Based on Bioinformatics Analysis and Experimental Validation.

PURPOSE: The identification of biomarkers and effective therapeutic targets for gastric cancer (GC), the most common cause of cancer-related deaths around the world, is currently a major focus in research. Here, we examined the utility of LHFPL6 as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for GC. METHODS: We explored the clinical relevance, function, and molecular role of LHFPL6 in GC using the MethSurv, cBioPortal, TIMER, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis, ONCOMINE, MEXPRESS, and EWAS Atlas databases. The GSE118919, GSE29272, and GSE13861 datasets were used for differential expression analysis. Using The Cancer Genome Atlas, we developed a Cox regression model and assessed the clinical significance of LHFPLs. In addition, we used the "CIBERSORT" algorithm to make reliable immune infiltration estimations. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to examine protein expression. Cell migration and invasion were assessed using transwell experiments. THP-1-derived macrophages and GC cells were co-cultured in order to model tumor-macrophage interactions in vitro. The levels of CD206 and CD163 were measured using immunofluorescence assays. The results were visualized with the "ggplot2" and "circlize" packages. RESULTS: Our results showed that in GC, LHFPL6 overexpression was significantly associated with a poor prognosis. Our findings also suggested that LHFPL6 may be involved in the activation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Furthermore, LHFPL6 expression showed a positive correlation with the abundance of M2 macrophages, which are potent immunosuppressors. CONCLUSION: LHFPL6 could be a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for GC.

Overexpression of NREP Promotes Migration and Invasion in Gastric Cancer Through Facilitating Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition.

The identification of biomarkers and effective therapeutic targets for gastric cancer (GC), the most common cause of cancer-related deaths around the world, is currently a major focus area in research. Here, we examined the utility of Neuronal Regeneration Related Protein (NREP) as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for GC. We assessed the clinical relevance, function, and molecular role of NREP in GC using bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation. Our results showed that in GC, NREP overexpression was significantly associated with a poor prognosis. Our findings also suggested that NREP may be involved in the activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), with transforming growth factor ß1 mediating both processes. In addition, NREP expression showed a positive correlation with the abundance of M2 macrophages, which are potent immunosuppressors. Together, these results indicate that NREP is overexpressed in GC and affects GC prognosis. Thus, NREP could be a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for GC.

Guiding role of nano-carbon in prevention of cervical lymph node dissection in cN0 thyroid cancer / 中华内分泌外科杂志

Objective:To explore the tracing effect of nano-carbon in the cervical lymph nodes of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and the guiding role of the dissection strategy of the contralateral lymph nodes.Methods:The medical records of 516 patients with PTC in Department of Endocrine and Breast Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from Jan. 2013 to Dec. 2017, including cN0 patients (436 cases) and cN1 patients (80 cases) , were retrospectively analyzed. There were 137 males and 379 females, the male to female ratio was 1.00:2.76. During the operation, nano-carbon was used to trace lymph nodes, and the number of lymph nodes in each lateral area (area II, III, IV) was collected, and the rate of black stained and non-black stained lymph node metastasis (LNM) was calculated based on the postoperative pathological results. SPSS 22.0 statistical software was used for analysis, t test was used for measurement data, and χ2 test was used for count data. Results:In 436 patients with cN0, the black-stained LNM rate in zone II ( P=0.002) , the black-stained LNM rate in zone III ( P=0.000) , and the black-stained LNM rate in zone IV ( P=0.002) were higher than those of non-black stained LNM. The rate of black-stained LNM in 80 cN1 patients (Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ) was also higher than that of non-black-stained LNM (0.011, 0.019, 0.015) . The rate of black-stained LNM in cN0 patients affected the LNM in areas Ⅱ and Ⅳ ( P=0.000, P=0.000) . In patients with cN1, the black-stained LNM rate in zone Ⅲ had an effect on zone Ⅱ (0.030) ; it had no effect on the black-stained LNM rate in zone Ⅳ (0.315) . Conclusion:The black-stained LNM rate of the posterior zone (zone Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ) with nano-carbon can represent the LNM rate of the lateral zone and help guide the lymph node dissection in the lateral zone. In addition, the black-stained LNM rate of zone Ⅲ can affect zone Ⅱ. The LNM rate in zone IV has the role of sentinel lymph nodes in the lateral zone.

Discussion on minimally invasive and cosmetic strategies for thyroid carcinoma surgery / 中华内分泌外科杂志

The incidence of thyroid carcinoma is increasing.Because of the special location,patients usually have cosmetic requirements for thyroid surgery.Compared with open surgery,improved Miccoli surgery,total endoscopic surgery,radiofrequency ablation and other minimally invasive surgery have obvious advantages in cosmetology,but the surgical indications are limited.Through incision design and protection,appropriate suture materials,standard suture methods and negative pressure drainage measures,we can effectively reduce the scar formation of open surgery,and improve the cosmetic results.Preoperative individualized treatment should be formulated according to the patient's actual situation,tumor nature,cosmetic needs,hospital conditions and other comprehensive factors.

Analysis of distribution and drug resistance of pathogens of burn patients during 9 years / 中华烧伤杂志

Objective@#To investigate distribution and drug resistance of pathogens of burn patients.@*Methods@#A total of 3 357 strains were cultured and isolated from 25 286 specimens of wounds excretion, deep venous catheters, venous blood, stool, mid-stream urine, sputum, puncture fluid, and throat swab of 11 510 burn patients hospitalized in our burn wards from January 2007 to December 2015. After being identified by API bacteria identification panels and automatically bacteria identification equipment, drug-resistances of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae to 28 common antibiotics were tested by drug sensitivity test with K-B paper disk diffusion method. The WHONET 5.6 software was used to analyze constituent ratio of gram-negative bacteria and gram-positive bacteria in each year, distribution of pathogens in each year, and drug resistance of the above-mentioned 4 pathogens in 9 years to 28 common antibiotics. Data were analyzed by the linear model curve fitting.@*Results@#(1) From 2007 to 2015, constituent ratios of gram-negative bacteria were respectively 41.22% (101/245), 41.88% (165/394), 45.92% (169/368), 42.54% (208/489), 52.35% (267/510), 56.89% (194/341), 58.99% (210/356), 56.95% (172/302), and 50.28% (177/352), with significantly increasing trend (R2=0.625, P<0.05); constituent ratios of gram-positive bacteria were respectively 58.78% (144/245), 58.12% (229/394), 54.08% (199/368), 57.46% (281/489), 47.65% (243/510), 43.11% (147/341), 41.01% (146/356), 43.05% (130/302), 49.72% (175/352), with significantly decreasing trend (R2=0.625, P<0.05). In 9 years, constituent ratio of Staphylococcus aureus ranked the first in all bacteria, and constituent ratios of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae were with significantly increasing trend (R2=0.811, 0.778, P<0.01). (2) In 9 years, drug-resistant rates of Staphylococcus aureus to gentamycin and rifampicin were with significantly decreasing trend (R2=0.727, 0.766, P<0.01); drug-resistant rates of Staphylococcus aureus to phosphonomycin were always in lower levels of 4.6% to 19.5%. In 9 years, drug-resistant rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin had no significant change in trend (R2=0.023, <0.001, P>0.05), while drug-resistant rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to other 10 common antibiotics were with significantly increasing trend (R2=0.764, 0.793, 0.785, 0.768, 0.752, 0.749, 0.789, 0.786, 0.706, 0.629, P<0.01). In 9 years, drug-resistant rate of Acinetobacter baumannii to ampicillin/sulbactam was with significantly decreasing trend (R2=0.652, P<0.01), and drug-resistant rate of Acinetobacter baumannii to amikacin was with significantly increasing trend ( R2=0.531, P<0.05). In 9 years, drug-resistant rates of Klebsiella pneumoniae to piperacillin, ampicillin/sulbactam, cefuroxime, ceftazidime, cefotaxime, cefepime, imipenem, meropenem, amikacin, and gentamicin were with obviously increasing trend (R2=0.481, 0.672, 0.694, 0.532, 0.810, 0.641, 0.809, 0.709, 0.579, 0.810, P<0.05 or P<0.01).@*Conclusions@#Constituent ratios of gram-positive bacteria of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae of burn patients hospitalized in our burn wards from 2007 to 2015 were significantly increased, while constituent ratios of Staphylococcus aureus of those children always ranked the first. Drug-resistence of bacteria of those children in our burn wards was serious. Drug-resistant rate of Staphylococcus aureus only to phosphonomycin was always in lower level. Drug-resistant rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to 10 common antibiotics except ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin were significantly increased. Drug-resistant rate of Acinetobacter baumannii only to ampicillin/sulbactam was significantly decreased. Drug-resistant rates of Klebsiella pneumoniae to most common antibiotics were significantly increased.

The relationship between catechol O-methyltransferase and diseases / 药学学报

Catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT), one of the endogenous phase II metabolizing enzymes, expressed by chromosome 22. COMT catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from common methyl donor S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet or SAM) to one of the catechol hydroxyls. COMT participates in the metabolism of many catechols in vivo, e.g. dopamine, epinephrine, noradrenaline, estradiol. Furthermore COMT also plays important roles in the metabolism of xenobiotic catechols from food and drug. COMT play a critical role in the management of catechols. Metabolism disorders of COMT can cause many diseases or an increased risk of diseases, e.g. Pakinson diseases, schizophrenia, and breast cancer. In this review, we explains the relationship of COMT and related-diseases through expounding disease caused by the COMT metabolic disorders. Finally, we hope that there will be more effective treatments for the COMT metabolism related diseases.

Analysis of drug resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and use of antibiotics in burn wards during 6 years / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the distribution characteristics of pathogens, the drug resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), and the use of antibiotics against Gram negative bacilli (GNB) in burn wards, so as to provide a guide for future treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 2 758 strains of pathogens were isolated from specimens of wound excretion, venous catheter attachment, blood, stool, urine, and sputum from 7 441 patients hospitalized in our burn wards from January 2007 to December 2012. After being identified by API strips and automatic microorganism identification and drug sensitivity analyzer, drug resistance of all the pathogens to 13 antibiotics commonly used in clinic, including amikacin, cefoperazone/sulbactam, ceftazidime, etc., was tested by K-B paper disk diffusion method. The defined daily doses per 1 000 patient-day of 5 antibiotics including amikacin, cefoperazone/sulbactam, ceftazidime, imipenem, and ciprofloxacin each year was set as use intensity. The WHONET 5.6 software was used to analyze the distribution of pathogens and the drug resistance of PA to 13 antibiotics. The SPSS 19.0 software was used to analyze the relation between changes in drug-resistant rates of PA to 13 antibiotics and year, the relation between the proportion of PA in all the pathogens and the use intensity of 5 antibiotics commonly used against GNB, and the relation between the use intensity of ciprofloxacin and the change in drug-resistant rates of PA to amikacin, cefoperazone/sulbactam, and imipenem with Pearson correlation analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) In 6 years, Staphylococcus aureus ranked the first with the highest proportion (31%, 865/2 758). The proportion of PA increased to tie in with Acinetobacter baumannii (both accounting for 17%, 458/2 758), both taking the second place. (2) Drug-resistant rates of PA to amikacin, gentamicin, aztreonam, piperacillin, cefoperazone, cefepime, piperacillin/tazobactam, cefoperazone/sulbactam, imipenem, and meropenem were significantly increased and positively correlated with year (with r values from 0.844 to 0.988, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), while the drug-resistant rate of PA to ciprofloxacin was decreased and negatively correlated with year (r = -0.836, P < 0.05). (3) In 6 years, the use intensity of amikacin (from 8.65 to 91.44), cefoperazone/sulbactam (from 9.62 to 63.56), imipenem (from 7.63 to 157.25), ceftazidime (from 18.39 to 86.11), and ciprofloxacin (from 0 to 19.77) was increased. (4) The proportion of PA in all the pathogens was positively correlated with the use intensity of imipenem and ciprofloxacin (with r values respectively 0.849, 0.933, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), while it was not significantly correlated with the use intensity of amikacin, cefoperazone/sulbactam, or ceftazidime (with r values respectively 0.672, 0.668, 0.794, P values all above 0.05). (5) The use intensity of ciprofloxacin was positively correlated with the drug-resistant rates of PA to amikacin, cefoperazone/sulbactam, and imipenem (with r values respectively 0.878, 0.934, 0.928, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In our burn wards, drug-resistant PA was prevalent, with positive correlation with the use intensity of antibiotics. The sensitive rate can be increased by a decrease in the use of amikacin, cefoperazone/sulbactam, and imipenem periodically.</p>

Effect of gene abaI expression on acinetobacter baumannii biofilm formation / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To investigate the influence of abaI expression on acinetobacter baumannii biofilm formation.Methods Acinetobacter baumannii strain S isolated from bums patients was collected for the study,while the standard strain ATCC19606 was served as the control.At 6,24 and 48 hours,the gene expressions of abaI,pgaA,pgaB and pgaC were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PT-PCR,secretion of N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) by biological sensor and biofilm formation by MTT method.Results (1) Gene expressions of abaI,pgaA,pgaB and pgaC at 6 hours were 8.63 ±5.93,1.98 ± 1.93,1.01 ± 1.32 and 2.67 ± 3.46 respectively,which showed a quick increase at 24 hours (22.81 ± 17.60,5.13 ± 4.32,5.66 ± 3.97,11.97 ± 7.75 respectively),followed by a rapid decline in 48 hours (3.43 ± 0.88,1.30 ± 0.24,3.01 ± 3.00,3.02 ± 3.29 respectively).Gene expressions of pgaB and pgaC at 6 hours and that of pgaA and pgaC at 48 hours revealed statistically significant differences from those at 24 hours (P ＜ 0.05).(2) AHLs showed a level of 18.49 ± 11.03 at 6 hours,reached a peak of 52.23 ± 15.95 at 24 hours,then descended to 5.53 ± 0.94 at 48 hours.AHLs level at 24 hours showed statistically significant difference from that at 6 hours and 48 hours (P ＜ 0.05).(3)Biofilm formation at 24 hours and 48 hours was 2.83 ±0.44 and 2.71 ±0.15 respectively,far higher than that at 6 hours (0.49 ± 0.11,P ＜ 0.05).(4) In the correlation analysis among AHLs,biofilm formation and gene abaI,pgaA,pgaB and pgaC expressions,significant positive correlation was found between abaI and pgaA and between AHLs and pgaC expression (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Acinetobacter baumannii may regulate gene expressions of pgaA and pgaC responsible for biofilm formation to adjust to the external environment by means of changing abaI gene expression and AHLs secretion.

Relationship of drug resistance in acinetobacter baumannii isolated from the burn patients with the expression alteration of efflux pump adeAB / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To observe the expressions of efflux pump gene cluster adeAB in acinetobacter baumannii isolated from the burn patients and the expression changes of its upstream regulatory genes adeR and adeS and determine the influence of those genes on drug resistance of acinetobacter baumannii.Methods Nine drug-resistant strains and nine sensitive strains of acinetobacter baumannii isolated from the burn patients treated between June 2012 and March 2013 were used.After strain identification using 16SrDNA sequencing,acinetobacter baumannii standard strain ATCC19606 was employed as the control.mRNA expressions of efllux pump genes adeA and adeB and their upstream regulatory genes adeR and adeS were detected by real-time quantitative PCR.Results (1) adeA and adeB genes presented higher expressions in drug-resistant strains (3.71 ±0.95,76.16 ± 8.75) than in sensitive strains (0.92 ± 0.94,0.72 ± 0.78) (F =38.71,663.65 respectively,both P ＜ 0.05).(2) adeS and adeR genes showed higher expressions in drug resistant strains (18.02 ± 6.71,3.02 ± 2.69) than in sensitive strains (1.64±1.51,0.76±0.61) (F =51.04,5.57 respectively,bothP＜0.05).Conclusions The over-expression of efflux pump gene cluster adeAB induced by the expression alteration of its upstream regulatory genes adeR and adeS is closely associated with the drug resistance of acinetobacter baumannii in the burn patient.Besides,the regulatory genes may depend on adeS to sense the nosocomial environment condition,activate or inactivate adeR and hence regulate efflux pump expression.

Affective computing--a mysterious tool to explore human emotions / 生物医学工程学杂志

Perception, affection and consciousness are basic psychological functions of human being. Affection is the subjective reflection of different kinds of objects. The foundation of human being's thinking is constituted by the three basic functions. Affective computing is an effective tool of revealing the affectiveness of human being in order to understand the world. Our research of affective computing focused on the relation, the generation and the influent factors among different affections. In this paper, the affective mechanism, the basic theory of affective computing, is studied, the method of acquiring and recognition of affective information is discussed, and the application of affective computing is summarized as well, in order to attract more researchers into this working area.

Analysis of the drug-resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the use of antibiotics in burn wards / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study changes in the drug-resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) and the use of antibiotics in burn wards so as to optimize the use of antibiotic in the future.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Bacteria were isolated from specimens of blood, venous catheter, stool, sputum, urine, wound tissue from 5717 patients hospitalized in our burn wards within the duration of January 2005 to December 2009. The number of specimens examined and positive rates of bacteria were calculated. Changes in constituent ratio of cocci and bacilli, spectrum of bacteria, the drug-resistance rate of PA, and the usage of antibiotics were analyzed. The number of specimens examined, constituent ratio of cocci and bacilli, drug-resistance rate were processed with chi-square test. Bivariate correlation analysis was performed between the usage of antibiotics and the drug-resistance rate.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The number of specimens examined showed no statistical difference during the five years (with rates from 73.2% to 76.1%, χ(2) = 5.583, P > 0.05), while constituent ratio of cocci and bacilli showed statistical difference (with ratios from 105:134 to 169:126, χ(2) = 14.806, P < 0.01). The positive rates of bacteria were increasing in the five years. (2) One thousand six hundred and seventy-five strains were identified during the five years from different kinds of specimens, with 29 from blood, 39 from venous catheter, 3 from stool, 157 from sputum, 13 from urine, and 1434 from wound tissue. Among them, Staphylococcus aureus accounted for 28% to 42%, PA accounted for 10% to 25%, Acinetobacter baumannii accounted for 10% to 19%, and they were the predominant strains. (3) The difference among drug-resistance rates of PA to each kind of 12 antibiotics during the five years were statistically significant (with χ(2) values from 47.911 to 308.095, P values all below 0.01). The drug-resistance rates of PA to some antibiotics showed downward trend in the former four years, including amikacin, ceftazidime, and imipenem/cilastatin, but it rebounded in the fifth year. (4) There was descending trend in usage of cefoperazone/sulbactam and levofloxacin, but vancomycin was always used widely. (5) Drug-resistance rates of PA to 7 antibiotics, including amikacin, imipenem/cilastatin, and ciprofloxacin, etc., were positively correlated with usage of various antibiotics (with r values from 0.879 to 0.978, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In our burn wards, drug-resistant PA was prevalent. Disinfection and isolation measures, appropriate use of antibiotics, etc. can reduce PA infection.</p>

Efficacy and safety evaluation of systemic red light therapy for burn wound repair / 中国医疗器械杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate effects of systemic red light therapy on wound repair of burned patients and discuss its possible mechanisms of wound healing promotion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>138 burned patients were randomly divided into systemic red light treatment group (n = 69) and control group (n = 69). Patients in control group received routine therapy, while those in test group were given systemic red light therapy once a day, 30 minutes at a time until the wounds were recovered. The clinical findings and variables indicating wound repair were assessed on the 7th, 10th, 14th day, 21st day post-burn and the day when the wounds were healed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Mean time of wound recovery were 19.86 +/- 2.43 days and 21.02 +/- 2.97 days respectively of those deep-thickness wounds in test group and control group, with statistically significance (P < 0.05). For the severity of the pain, VAS during time of dressing change on the 10th, 14th day post burn was lower in test group than that in control group which indicated less painful in test group (P < 0.05), suggesting pain relief effect of systemic red light therapy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Systemic red light therapy was effective to promote wound healing of deep-thickness burn wounds and other similar acute wounds. Simultaneously, it is efficacious in pain relief and safe for those patients.</p>

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>

Investigation on the drug resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in our burn ward in the past 11 years / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the use of antibiotics and the drug resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the burn ward of our hospital in the past 11 years, so as to optimize the use of antibiotics in the future.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Bacterial epidemiology during 1991-2001 in our burn ward was investigated. The change of the drug resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was observed by defined daily dose (DDD) of antibiotics in adult patients and by the ranking of antibiotic administration days.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Staphylococcus aureus (10.53%-34.40%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (75.66%-11.47%) were dominant in our burn ward. (2) Predominant antibiotics used included Penicillin, Amikacin, Vancomycin, Imipenem and Ceftazidime. (3) There was increasing drug resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to the following antibiotics ranking in following order: Piperacillin (41.57%-100.00%), Imipenem (36.36%-98.46%), Ceftazidime (23.46%-97.85%), Amikacin (13.16%-100.00%) and ciprofloxacin (6.90%-100.00%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There was increasing drug resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to all antibiotics, which might be related to antibiotic abuse.</p>