[Effects of artificial dermis combined with autologous skin in repairing the wounds with exposed bone and/or tendon in fingers of children after electric burns].

Objective: To explore the effects of artificial dermis combined with autologous skin in repairing the wounds with exposed bone and/or tendon in fingers of children after electric burns. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From January 2017 to December 2022, 14 children with bone and/or tendon exposed wounds in fingers after electric burns who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to Zhengzhou First People's Hospital, including 9 males and 5 females, aged 2 to 11 years. A total of 38 fingers were affected, with 1 wound per finger. After debridement, artificial dermal coverage combined with vacuum sealing drainage was performed in all the wounds in the first stage, with wound area of 2.0 cm×1.0 cm-4.5 cm×2.5 cm after debridement. The second stage surgery was performed to close the wound with autologous thin intermediate thickness skin graft. Then the children were told to perform functional rehabilitation exercise as early as possible. The survival of autologous skin graft was observed at the 7th day after the second stage surgery. The wound healing time was recorded. After 12 months of follow-up, the Vancouver scar scale was used to evaluate the scar hyperplasia at the skin grafting site of the affected finger; the total action mobility (TAM) of the affected finger joint was measured for evaluating the functional recovery of the affected finger; a self-made efficacy satisfaction rating table was used to investigate the parents' satisfaction with the curative effect of the children. Results: At the 7th day after the second stage surgery, all the children had good survival of autologous skin grafts. The wound healing time was (24.1±2.7) d. After 12 months of follow-up, the scar score at the skin grafting site of the affected finger was 5.2±2.4; the TAM of the affected finger joint was (177±40)°; the functional assessment was good in 12 fingers, medium in 23 fingers, and poor in 3 fingers; the parents' satisfaction with the curative effect of the children in the survey was very satisfied in 10 cases, satisfied in 3 cases, and dissatisfied in 1 case. Conclusions: The combination of artificial dermis and autologous thin intermediate thickness skin graft is an alternative surgical method that can effectively repair the bone and/or tendon exposed wounds in fingers of children after electric burns. After wound healing, the scars are slight, the finger function is well recovered, and the parents of the children are highly satisfied with the curative effect of the children, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

[Effects and mechanism of astragalus polysaccharide on wound healing of deep partial-thickness burns in rats].

Objective: To investigate the effects and mechanism of astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on wound healing of deep partial-thickness burns in rats. Methods: The experimental study method was used. Fifty 7-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normal group, simple burn group, APS group, inhibitor group, and inhibitor+APS group according to the random number table, with 10 rats in each group. Except for normal group, rats in the other 4 groups were inflicted with a deep partial-thickness burn wound on the back. Rats in normal group and simple burn group were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline, and rats in the other three groups were injected with APS and/or integrin-linked kinase (ILK) inhibitor, respectively. After 7 days of injection, the wound healing rate of rats with burns in the four groups was calculated, and the serum content of interferon-γ, interleukin-2 (IL-2), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in rats in 5 groups was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The normal skin tissue of rats in normal group and wound tissue of rats with burns in the four groups were taken, the water content was determined and the water ratio was calculated, the content of interferon-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α was detected by ELISA, the mRNA expressions of epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and ILK were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and the protein expressions of ILK, protein kinase B (Akt), phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), glycogen synthetic kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß), and phosphorylated GSK-3ß (p-GSK-3ß) were detected by Western blotting. Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance and least significant difference test. Results: After 7 days of injection, the wound healing rate of rats in APS group was (67±5)%, which was significantly higher than (52±4)% in simple burn group and (59±5)% in inhibitor+APS group (with all the P values <0.05). The wound healing rate of rats in inhibitor+APS group was significantly higher than (48±4)% in inhibitor group (P<0.05). After 7 days of injection, compared with those in serum or normal skin tissue of rats in normal group, the serum content of interferon-γ, TNF-α, IL-2 and the water ratio of wound tissue of rats in simple burn group were significantly increased (P<0.05); compared with those in APS group, the serum content of interferon-γ, TNF-α, IL-2 and the water ratio of wound tissue of rats in simple burn group and inhibitor+APS group were significantly increased (P<0.05); compared with those in inhibitor group, the serum content of interferon-γ, TNF-α, IL-2 and the water ratio of wound tissue of rats in inhibitor+APS group were significantly decreased (P<0.05). After 7 days of injection, compared with that in normal skin tissue of rats in normal group, the content of interferon-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 in wound tissue of rats in simple burn group was significantly increased (P<0.05); compared with that in APS group, the content of interferon-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 in wound tissue of rats in simple burn group and inhibitor+APS group was significantly increased (P<0.05); compared with that in inhibitor group, the content of interferon-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 in wound tissue of rats in inhibitor+APS group was significantly decreased (P<0.05). After 7 days of injection, compared with those in normal skin tissue of rats in normal group, the mRNA expressions of EGF, bFGF, ILK and protein expressions of ILK, p-Akt, p-GSK-3ß in wound tissue of rats in simple burn group were significantly increased (P<0.05); compared with those in APS group, the mRNA expressions of EGF, bFGF, ILK and protein expressions of ILK, p-Akt, p-GSK-3ß in wound tissue of rats in simple burn group and inhibitor+APS group were significantly decreased (P<0.05); compared with those in inhibitor group, the mRNA expressions of EGF, bFGF, ILK and protein expressions of ILK, p-Akt, p-GSK-3ß in wound tissue of rats in inhibitor+APS group were significantly increased (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the protein expressions of Akt and GSK-3ß in normal skin tissue of rats in normal group and wound tissue of rats with burns in the four groups (P>0.05). Conclusions: APS can alleviate systemic and local inflammation, alleviate tissue edema, and promote the expressions of healing factors in rats with deep partial-thickness burns, thus to promote the wound healing, possibly by activating ILK/Akt/GSK-3ß signaling pathway.

[Effects of expanded frontal-parietal pedicled flap in reconstructing cervical scar contracture deformity in children after burns].

Objective: To explore the effects of expanded frontal-parietal pedicled flap in reconstructing cervical scar contracture deformity in children after burns. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From January 2015 to December 2020, 18 male children with cervical scar contracture deformity after burns who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to Zhengzhou First People's Hospital, aged 4 to 12 years, including 10 cases with degree Ⅱ cervical scar contracture deformity and 8 cases with degree Ⅲ scar contracture deformity, and were all reconstructed with expanded frontal-parietal pedicled flap. The surgery was performed in 3 stages. In the first stage, a cylindrical skin and soft tissue expander (hereinafter referred to as expander) with rated capacity of 300 to 500 mL was placed in the frontal-parietal region. The expansion time was 4 to 6 months with the total normal saline injection volume being 2.1 to 3.0 times of the rated capacity of expander. In the second stage, expander removal, scar excision, contracture release, and flap transfer were performed, with the flap areas of 18 cm×9 cm to 23 cm×13 cm and the secondary wound areas of 16 cm×8 cm to 21 cm×11 cm after scar excision and contracture release. After 3 to 4 weeks, in the third stage, the flap pedicle was cut off and restored. The rated volume of placed expander, total normal saline injection volume, type of vascular pedicle of flap, survival of flap and reconstruction of scar after the second stage surgery were recorded. The neck range of motion and cervico-mental angle were measured before surgery and one-year after surgery. The appearance of neck, occurrence of common complications in the donor and recipient sites of children, and satisfaction of children's families for treatment effects were followed up. Data were statistically analyzed with paired sample t test. Results: All the patients successfully completed the three stages of operation. The rated volume of implanted expander was 300 mL in 6 children, 400 mL in 9 children, and 500 mL in 3 children, with the volume of normal saline injection being 630 to 1 500 mL. The type of vascular pedicle of flap was double pedicle in 13 cases and was single pedicle in 5 cases. All the flaps in 17 children survived well, and the secondary wounds after neck scar excision and contracture release were all reconstructed in one procedure. In one case, the distal blood supply of the single pedicled flap was poor after the second stage surgery, with necrosis of about 2.5 cm in length. The distal necrotic tissue was removed on 10 days after the operation, and the wound was completely closed after the flap was repositioned. In the follow-up of 6 months to 3 years post operation, the cervical scar contracture deformity in 18 children was corrected without recurrence. The flap was not bloated, the texture was soft, and the appearances of chin and neck were good. The range of motion of cervical pre-buckling, extension, left flexion, and right flexion, and cervico-mental angle in one year after operation were improved compared with those before operation (with t values of 43.10, 22.64, 27.96, 20.59, and 88.42, respectively, P<0.01). The incision in the frontal donor site was located in the hairline, the scar was slight and concealed. No complication such as cranial depression was observed in expander placement site, and the children's families were satisfied with the result of reconstruction. Conclusions: Application of expanded frontal-parietal pedicled flap in reconstructing the cervical scar contracture deformity in children after burns can obviously improve the appearance and function of neck, with unlikely recurrence of postoperative scar contractures, thus it is an ideal method of reconstruction.

[Effects of continuous goal-directed analgesia on fluid resuscitation of massive burn patients during shock].

Objective: To investigate the effects of continuous goal-directed analgesia on fluid resuscitation during shock stage in patients with massive burns, providing a basis for rational optimization of analgesia protocols in patients with burn shock. Methods: A retrospective case series study was conducted. One hundred and thirty-six patients with massive burns who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to Zhengzhou First People's Hospital from January 2015 to December 2020, and the patients were divided into continuous analgesia (CA) group (68 cases,with average age of 44 years old) and intermittent analgesia (IA) group (68 cases,with average age of 45 years old) according to whether sufentanil injection was continuously used for intravenous analgesia during the shock stage. The patients in the 2 groups were predominantly male. Before and at 72 h of treatment, the severity of disease and trauma pain of patients in the 2 groups were scored by the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) and the visual analogue scale (VAS). Hematocrit, heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP), oxygen saturation in central venous blood (ScvO2), rehydration coefficient, blood lactate value, hourly urine output, and the adverse reactions such as hypotension, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, skeletal muscle tonicity, respiratory depression, bradycardia, pruritus, and drug addiction of patients in the 2 groups during the treatment were recorded at the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd 24 h post-injury. Data were statistically analyzed with analysis of variance for repeated measurement, paired or independent sample t test, Bonferroni correction,chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Before treatment, APACHE Ⅱ and VAS scores of patients in the 2 groups were close (with t values of -0.67 and 0.32, respectively, P>0.05); At 72 h of treatment, APACHE Ⅱ and VAS scores of patients in CA group were 8.5±2.2 and 2.5±1.6, both of which were significantly lower than (15.2±3.0) and (7.9±2.0) of patients in IA group, respectively (with t values of -14.94 and -17.46, respectively, P<0.01). Compared with the pre-treatment period, the APACHE Ⅱ and VAS scores of patients in IA group decreased significantly at 72 h of treatment (with t values of 11.35 and 30.59, respectively, P<0.01); the changes in APACHE Ⅱ and VAS scores of patients at 72 h of treatment in comparison with those of patients before treatment in CA group were all similar to those of patients in IA group (with t values of 4.00 and 4.82, respectively, P<0.01). Compared with those of patients in IA group, there were no significant changes in CVP, hematocrit, heart rate, ScvO2, and MAP of patients in CA group at all three 24 h post-injury (with t values of <0.01, 0.12, 2.10, 1.55, 0.03; 0.13, 0.22, <0.01, 0.17, 0.49; 0.63, 0.06, 0.04, 2.79, and 2.33, respectively, P>0.05). Compared with those of patients in IA group at the 1st 24 h post-injury, CVP, ScvO2 and MAP of patients were significantly higher at the 2nd and 3rd 24 h post-injury (with t values of -10.10, -9.31, -8.89; -10.81, -4.65, and -9.43, respectively, P<0.01), and the heart rate of patients was significantly lower at the 2nd and 3rd 24 h post-injury (with t values of 7.53 and 7.78, respectively, P<0.01), and the hematocrit of patients decreased significantly only at the 3rd 24 h post-injury (t=15.55, P<0.01); the changes of CVP, ScvO2, MAP and heart rate of patients at the 2nd and the 3rd 24 h post-injury, and HCT of patients at the 3rd 24 h post-injury, in comparison with those of patients at the 1st 24 h post-injury in CA group were similar to those of patients in IA group (with t values of -12.25, -10.24, -8.99, 9.42, -8.83, -7.53, -11.57, 10.44, and 12.91, respectively, P<0.01). Compared with those of patients in IA group, the rehydration coefficient of patients in CA group was significantly higher only at the 3rd 24 h post-injury (t=5.60, P<0.05), blood lactate value of patients in CA group was significantly lower at the 1st and 2nd 24 h post-injury (with t values of 4.32 and 14.52, respectively, P<0.05 or P<0.01), the hourly urine output of patients in CA group increased significantly at the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd 24 h post-injury (with t values of 24.65, 13.12, and 5.63, respectively, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the those of patients at the 1st 24 h post-injury, the rehydration coefficient of patients in IA group decreased significantly at the 2nd and the 3rd 24 h post-injury (with t values of 33.98 and 36.91, respectively, P<0.01), the blood lactate values of patients in IA group decreased significantly at the 2nd and the 3rd 24 h post-injury (with t values of 8.20 and 11.68, respectively, P<0.01), and the hourly urine output of patients in IA group was significantly increased at the 2nd and the 3rd 24 h post-injury (with t values of -3.52 and -5.92, respectively, P<0.01); the changes of rehydration coefficients and blood lactate values of patients at the 2nd and the 3rd 24 h post-injury in comparison with those of patients at the 1st 24 h post-injury in CA group were similar to those of patients in IA group (with t values of 35.64, 33.64, 9.86, and 12.56, respectively, P<0.01), but hourly urine output of patients in CA group increased significantly only at the 3rd 24 h compared with that of patients at the 1st 24 h post-injury (t=-3.07, P<0.01). Adverse reactions such as hypotension, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, bradycardia, and pruritus occurred rarely in patients of the 2 groups, and none of the patients had skeletal muscle tonicity, respiratory depression, or drug addiction. The incidence of adverse reactions of patients in CA group was similar to that in IA group (χ2=0.08, P>0.05). Conclusions: Continuous goal-directed analgesia can effectively relieve pain and improve vital signs of patients with large burns. Meanwhile it has little impact on volume load, which can assist in correcting ischemia and hypoxia during the shock period and help patients get through the shock period smoothly.

[Clinical effects of single pedicle transfer of expanded axial flap across the midline of the frontal-parietal region in reconstruction of large scar deformities in the face and neck].

Objective: To explore the clinical effects of single pedicle transfer of expanded axial flap across the midline of the frontal-parietal region in reconstruction of large scar deformities in the face and neck. Methods: From January 2016 to August 2019, 10 male patients, aged from 20 to 52 years with post-burn facial and cervical scar deformities, were admitted to the First People's Hospital of Zhengzhou, with the size of scar ranging from 15 cm×7 cm to 23 cm×11 cm. In the first stage, a cylindrical skin and soft tissue expander with rated capacity ranging from 400 to 600 mL was placed in the frontal-parietal region. Another cylindrical expander with rated capacity ranging from 50 to 100 mL was placed in the temporal region of the patient with scars in front of the ear and in cheek. The injection time was 3 to 5 months with the total injection volume being 1.5 to 2.5 times of the rated capacity of expander. In the second stage, the superficial temporal artery frontal branch and its branches were explored, the expander was removed, the scars in the face and neck were conducted resection and contracture relaxation, and the single pedicle transfer of expanded axial flap across the midline of the frontal-parietal region for reconstruction was performed. When the branches of the superficial temporal vessels were difficult to be detected by Doppler ultrasonic blood stream detector, the patient underwent computed tomography (CT) angiography and three-dimensional reconstruction. The donor site in frontal-parietal region was directly sutured, and the wound of the exposed donor site at the pedicle and temporal region was temporarily covered with scar skin. After the suture wound was healed and the hair in expanded flap grew out, hair removal and laser hair removal were performed. Three to four weeks after transplantation of expanded flap, the flap pedicle was cut off, restored, and trimmed in the third stage. The status about the completion of operation, the implantation of expander in the temporal region, CT angiography and three-dimensional reconstruction were recorded. The effective resection area of expanded flap, the length across the midline and the length of the pedicle, and the survival status of the expanded flap and complications after operation were observed. The appearance of donor and recipient sites, the scar recurrence, the appearance and function improvement of patients, and the satisfaction degree of patients were followed up. Results: All the 10 patients successfully completed three stages of operation, of which 6 patients had an auxiliary expander placement in the temporal region, and 5 patients underwent CT angiography and three-dimensional reconstruction. The effective resection area of expanded flap ranged from 18 cm×8 cm to 25 cm×13 cm. The distal end of the flap across the midline extended 4-6 cm to the opposite side, and the length of pedicle was 2-6 cm. All the expanded flaps of patients survived well after formation and transfer. The venous reflux disorder and obvious swelling occurred in 6 patients at the distal end of the flap after operation, and the blood supply recovered after acupuncture bloodletting, etc. Follow-up of 6 to 24 months showed that the color, texture, and thickness of the expanded flaps were similar to those of the facial skin, and no recurrence of scar was observed; the incision in the donor site of the frontal-parietal region was concealed, the hair growth of the temples and head was normal, and the reconstructed hairline was natural; compared with those before operation, the appearance, head-up, mouth-opening, and other functions of patients were significantly improved; the patients were satisfied with the effect of reconstruction. Conclusions: Clinical application of single pedicle transfer of expanded axial flap across the midline of the frontal-parietal region in reconstruction of large scar deformities in the face and neck can achieve a good appearance and function, and the donor site shows good shape, which enriches the application range of the trans-regional blood supply flap. It is a reliable method for reconstruction of large scar deformities in the face and neck.

Dynamic predictive model for postoperative nausea and vomiting for intravenous fentanyl patient-controlled analgesia.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting is the most common side-effect of opioid-based intravenous patient-controlled analgesia. Apfel's simplified risk score is popular but it has some limitations. We developed and validated a dynamic predictive model for nausea or vomiting up to 48 postoperative hours, available as an online web application. Fentanyl was used by 22,144 adult patients for analgesia after non-cardiac surgery under general anaesthesia: we randomly divided them into development (80%) and validation (20%) cohorts, repeated 100 times. We used linear discriminant analysis to select variables for multivariate logistic regression. The incidences of postoperative nausea or vomiting were: 0-48 h, 5691/22,144 (26%); 0-6 h, 2749/22,144 (12%); 6-12 h, 2687/22,144 (12%); 12-18 h, 2624/22,144 (12%); 18-24 h, 1884/22,144 (9%); and 24-48 h, 1082/22,144 (5%). The median (95%CI) area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.72 (0.71-0.73) up to 48 postoperative hours compared with 0.65 (0.64-0.66) for the Apfel model, p < 0.001. The equivalent areas for 0-6 h, 6-12 h, 12-18 h, 18-24 h and 24-48 h were: 0.70 (0.69-0.72); 0.71 (0.69-0.73); 0.69 (0.68-0.71); 0.70 (0.67-0.72); and 0.69 (0.66-0.71), respectively. Our web application allows clinicians to calculate incidences of nausea and vomiting in patients receiving intravenous fentanyl for patient-controlled analgesia.

[Application effects of CT angiography and three-dimensional reconstruction technique in repairing scar around the mouth and chin with expanded forehead axial flap].

Objective: To explore application effects of CT angiography (CTA) and three-dimensional reconstruction technique in repairing scar around the mouth and chin with expanded forehead axial flap. Methods: From June 2013 to October 2017, 9 patients with hyperplastic scar around the mouth and chin after deep burns on face were admitted to our unit. The sizes of scars of patients ranged from 8 cm×7 cm to 13 cm×8 cm. One cylindrical skin soft-tissue dilator with nominal volume of 400 to 500 mL was implanted in forehead area of each patient. Five to six months after the dilator was implanted, scar around the mouth and chin was resected, and the dilator was removed. The secondary wound after scar resection was repaired by expanded forehead axial flap with bilateral superficial temporal vessel pedicles. Three of the nine patients received microstomia diorthosis at the same time. Before the operation, CTA and three-dimensional reconstruction were applied to obtain three-dimensional images of superficial temporal arteries and the branches in the donor site, which could identify the travel, adjacent location, and vascular anastomosis of the above-mentioned vessels to guide flap design. The sizes of flaps of patients ranged from 25 cm×9 cm to 30 cm×8 cm. Two to three weeks after the operation, flap pedicles were cut off, restored, and trimmed. The donor site was sutured directly. Ten to twelve days after the flap repair operation, the flap site received depilation treatment with semiconductor freezing point laser once a month for 4 to 6 times. Results: Flaps of all patients survived well, with no blood circulation disorder. The flaps of three patients were slightly bulky, while they were with natural appearance after flap thinning operation in 3 months post flap repair operation. During follow-up of 6 months to 2 years after the operation, color, texture, and thickness of the flaps were close to normal skin around scars. The appearance of perioral and mental region, and opening function of mouth improved significantly, with no recurrence of scar. Frontotemporal incision was hidden, hair on head grew normally, and reconstructed hairline was natural. Conclusions: Scar around the mouth and chin repaired with expanded forehead axial flap were with good appearance and function in operation area and good shape in donor site. CTA and three-dimensional reconstruction technique can provide clear three-dimensional images of superficial temporal arteries and the branches in expanded forehead axial flaps, which can provide reliable basis for preoperative designing of flap, reduce operative risk, and improve survival rate of flap, thus having clinical application value.

[Clinical effects of repair of wounds in fingers after electrical burn with wrist perforator free flaps].

Objective: To explore the clinical effects of repair of wounds in the fingers after electrical burn with wrist perforator free flaps. Methods: Twelve patients (13 fingers) with electrical burn were hospitalized in our burn ward from January 2016 to January 2017. After radical debridement, the size of wounds ranged from 5.0 cm×2.0 cm to 10.0 cm×7.0 cm. Wounds with size below or equal to 6.0 cm ×2.5 cm were repaired with free flaps based on the superficial palmar branch of radial artery, with flap area ranging from 2.5 cm×2.2 cm to 6.0 cm×4.5 cm. The superficial palmar branch of radial artery, subcutaneous vein, and palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve underwent end-to-end anastomosis with digital proper artery, dorsal superficial vein, and digital proper nerve in the finger, respectively. The donor sites were sutured directly. Wounds with size larger than 6.0 cm×2.5 cm were repaired with free flaps based on the dorsal carpal branch of ulnar artery, with flap area ranging from 4.5 cm×3.0 cm to 12.0 cm×8.5 cm. The dorsal carpal branch of ulnar artery, subcutaneous vein, and medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve underwent end-to-end anastomosis with digital proper artery, dorsal superficial vein, and digital proper nerve in the finger, respectively. The donor sites were sutured directly or covered by full-thickness skin graft from abdomen. Results: Five free flaps based on the superficial palmar branch of radial artery and 8 free flaps based on the dorsal carpal branch of ulnar artery were used in the patients. In one week after surgery, 12 flaps survived completely, while one free flap based on the dorsal carpal branch of ulnar artery suffered from slight infection, after depressing change, it survived in the end. After the follow-up of half a year, the flaps were full in shape and the distance of two-point discrimination of ranged from 4.0 to 7.0 mm. The fingers showed good functional recovery and no deformity. The grade of function of the fingers was excellent in 10 cases and good in 3 cases. There were small incision scars in donor sites. Conclusions: The wrist perforator free flap is safe and reliable for repairing electrical burn wound of finger. The wounded finger shows good appearance and function after operation.

[Effects of Meek skin grafting on patients with extensive deep burn at different age groups].

Objective: To investigate the effect of Meek skin grafting on patients with extensive deep burn at different age groups. Methods: Eighty-four patients with extensive deep burns conforming to the study criteria were hospitalized in our unit from April 2011 to April 2015. Patients were divided into children group (C, with age less than 12 years old), young and middle-aged group (YM, with age more than 18 years and less than 50 years old), and old age group (O, with age more than 55 years old) according to age, with 28 patients in each group. All patients received Meek skin grafting treatment. The use of autologous skin area, operation time, wound healing time, and hospitalization time were recorded. The survival rate of skin graft on post operation day 7, complete wound healing rate in post treatment week 2, and the mortality were calculated. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance, t test, and χ(2) test. Results: The use of autologous skin area of patients in group C was (5.1±1.0)% total body surface area (TBSA), significantly less than (8.3±1.0)%TBSA and (8.3±1.4)%TBSA in groups YM and O, respectively (with t values 32.900 and 52.624, respectively, P values below 0.05). The operation time, wound healing time, and hospitalization time of patients in group C were (1.368±0.562) h, (9.6±0.6) and (32±11) d, significantly shorter than those in group YM [(3.235±0.011) h, (16.9±2.6) and (48±12) d, respectively] and group O [(3.692±0.481) h, (17.3±2.6) and (46±13) d, respectively, with t values from 4.350 to 21.160, P values below 0.05]. The survival rate of skin graft of patients on post operation day 7 in group C was (92±15)%, significantly higher than (81±10)% and (72±12)% in groups YM and O, respectively (with t values 5.509 and 3.229, respectively, P values below 0.05). The above indexes in groups YM and O were similar (with t values from 0.576 to 22.958, P values above 0.05). Complete wound healing rate in post treatment week 2 and the mortality of patients in group C were similar to those in groups YM and O (with χ(2) values 0.365 and 0.122, respectively, P values above 0.05). Conclusions: Meek skin grafting can be used in the treatment of patients with extensive deep burns at different age groups, compared with the young and middle-aged and old patients, the effect in children was better.

A High-sugar High-fat Diet Induced Metabolic Syndrome Shows some Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease in Rats.

OBJECTIVES: Cases of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (SAD) are the predominant form of the age-related dementia. New evidence suggests that metabolic syndrome (MS), a metabolic disorder, is an initiating factor of some SAD cases. A high-sugar high-fat diet could cause MS, we aimed to investigate whether it could directly lead to SAD. MEASUREMENTS: The characteristic molecules of AD (hippocampus Aß and Tau) were tested by using ELISA and western blotting to confirm the happening hallmarks of AD in brain. MS and inflammation related biochemical indicators were measured using immunological method. Proteins associated with the insulin resistance signal pathway (JNK, PI-3K, AKT, GSK-3ß, GLUT3) were evaluated using western blotting method. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by immunofluorescence method. RESULTS: Expressions of hippocampus Aß, phosphorylation-Tau (p-Tau), inflammatory factors and p-JNK, Gsk-3ßwere higher in the model rats than those in the control rats and expressions of p-PI3K, p-AKT and GLUT3 were reversed. CONCLUSIONS: The MS model animals, which can induce the characteristics symptoms of AD, and therefore it may be preliminarily considered that the AD pertains to the MS-related diseases.

Effect-site concentration of remifentanil for attenuating QTc interval prolongation following intubation in hypertensive female patients.

BACKGROUND: Haemodynamic changes after sympathetic stimuli like tracheal intubation are more pronounced in hypertensive patients than in normotensive patients. Heart rate (HR)-corrected QT (QTc) interval changes related to intubation may also be more prominent in hypertensive patients. We hypothesised that there would be a difference in the effect-site concentration (Ce) of remifentanil to attenuate QTc interval prolongation in normotensive and hypertensive patients following intubation. METHODS: Twenty-two normotensive and 22 hypertensive female patients (≥ 50 year) were enrolled and anaesthesised with remifentanil and propofol using a target-controlled infusion. All hypertensive patients received oral antihypertensive medications for > 6 months and took the medications in the morning of the surgery. The effective concentration of remifentanil Ce in 50% (EC50 ) and 95% of the population (EC95 ) required to maintain QTc interval prolongation < 15 ms following intubation was calculated using the isotonic regression and a bootstrapping approach following the Dixon's up-and-down method. RESULTS: Median duration of hypertension was 6 years. Isotonic regression revealed that the EC50 (83% confidence interval) of remifentanil Ce for reducing QTc interval prolongation following intubation was 3.8 (3.5-4.1) ng/ml in normotensive and 6.1 (5.8-6.2) ng/ml in hypertensive female patients. The EC95 (95% confidence interval) of remifentanil Ce was 4.4 (4.3-4.5) ng/ml in normotensive and 6.5 (6.4-6.5) ng/ml in hypertensive female patients. CONCLUSION: The Ce of remifentanil required to attenuate QTc interval prolongation following intubation was significantly higher in hypertensive patients than it was in normotensive patients. Thus, more caution should be taken related to QTc interval prolongation when intubating hypertensive patients.

The effect of intra-operative transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on posterior neck pain following thyroidectomy.

Posterior neck pain following thyroidectomy is common because full neck extension is required during the procedure. We evaluated the effect of intra-operative transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on postoperative neck pain in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy under general anaesthesia. One hundred patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups; 50 patients received transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation applied to the trapezius muscle and 50 patients acted as controls. Postoperative posterior neck pain and anterior wound pain were evaluated using an 11-point numerical rating scale at 30 min, 6 h, 24 h and 48 h following surgery. The numerical rating scale for posterior neck pain was significantly lower in the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation group compared with the control group at all time points (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the numerical rating scale for anterior wound pain at any time point. No adverse effects related to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation were observed. We conclude that intra-operative transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation applied to the trapezius muscle reduced posterior neck pain following thyroidectomy.

The impact of small doses of LPS on NASH in high sucrose and high fat diet induced rats.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the impact of small doses of lipolysaccharide (LPS) on the development of NASH in the context of a high sucrose and high fat diet in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into groups fed a synthetic diet (n=8), a regular diet (n=8), a synthetic diet + LPS (n=8) or saline (n=8) and a regular diet + LPS (n=8) or saline (n=8). The LPS (or saline) was administered from the 6th week on (0.5 mg/kg) by subcutaneous injection every two days under the same conditions with free access to water and food. At the end of the 9th week the animals were euthanized and the liver tissue dissected for analysis. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Von Gieson's (VG) staining was performed on parafin embedded sections to observe the pathological changes of the liver, the degree of fibrosis, and infiltrative lymphocytes were counted in the liver tissue. RESULTS: We quantitatively measured the levels of LPS in the plasma of rats, ALT activity, and TNF-alpha. We found that the synthetic diet + LPS group showed severe steatosis, and was associated with bridging necrosis and mild fibrosis when compared to the group fed a Synthetic diet + saline. In addition, the amount of infiltrative lymphocytes and the level of plasma ALT and TNF-alpha in the synthetic diet + LPS group were significantly increased. The difference observed were statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Small doses of LPS promote the development of NASH induced by a high sucrose and high fat.

Environmental risk factors for women with polycystic ovary syndrome in china: a population-based case-control study.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive endocrinology disease with heterogeneous phenotype. Environmental factors are thought to be involved in the development of PCOS. The present study aimed to explore the potential environmental risk factors of PCOS. A cross-sectional study and stratified population-based case-control study were carried out. Pre-designed questionnaires were prepared, including questions about medication history, contact history of endocrine disruptors (EDs), environment and habituation. Fasting blood was collected for measurement of sex hormone, glucose and insulin. Matched logistic regression analysis was used to find the potential independent risk factor of PCOS. One thousand eight hundred fifty-four participants (aged 12-44 years) were analyzed in the cross-sectional investigation. One hundred sixty-nine PCOS patients and 338 matched controls were compared. PCOS patients were more frequent than controls in eating plastic-packaged food (p=0.001), contacting pesticide (p=0.021), eating fruit with pericarp (p=0.001), living beside a garbage heap (p=0.001), working at an acid plant (p=0.028), taking Chinese patent drugs (p=0.001), smoking (p=0.028) and drinking alcohol (p=0.001). However, PCOS patients were less likely to use kitchen ventilators (p=0.002), eat canned food (p=0.049), contact decorated materials, use skin care products (p=0.01) and cosmetics (p=0.027). No difference was found in taking antiepileptic drugs (p=0.93). Eating plastic-packaged food (p=0.001, OR=44.449), eating fruit with pericarp (p=0.03, OR=5.7) and drinking alcohol (p=0.001, OR=29.632) were found to be the independent risk factors for PCOS. The existence of an association between EDs and PCOS was proved. Plastic-packaged food, fruit with pericarp and drinking alcohol should be avoided as possible as we can. However, the causal relationships among these factors and PCOS should be proved by further research.

Sex-related differences in the effect-site concentration of remifentanil for preventing QTc interval prolongation following intubation in elderly patients with a normal QTc interval.

BACKGROUND: Female sex and age more than 65 years are common risk factors for the development of torsades de pointes in association with heart rate-corrected QT (QTc) interval prolongation, which can be induced by tracheal intubation during general anaesthesia. However, the administration of remifentanil can prevent intubation-induced QTc interval prolongation. We compared sex-related differences in the effect-site concentration (Ce) of remifentanil for preventing QTc interval prolongation among elderly patients. METHODS: Twenty-two female and 22 male patients older than 65 years were enrolled. Anaesthesia was induced with remifentanil and propofol using a target-controlled infusion. The Ce of remifentanil for maintaining a QTc interval prolongation <15 ms following intubation was determined for each sex using the isotonic regression method and a bootstrapping approach following Dixon's up-and-down method. RESULTS: The Ce of remifentanil for preventing QTc interval prolongation following intubation in 50 % of the population (EC50) and 95 % of the population (EC95) were significantly lower in females than in males. Isotonic regression revealed that the EC50 (83 % confidence interval) of remifentanil was 3.50 (2.95-4.08) ng/mL in females and 4.38 (4.08-4.63) ng/mL in males. The EC95 (95 % confidence interval) of remifentanil was 4.43 (4.25-4.48) ng/mL in females and 4.94 (4.78-4.98) ng/mL in males. CONCLUSIONS: Target-controlled infusion of remifentanil is effective in attenuating QTc interval prolongation after intubation among elderly patients and the Ce of remifentanil is lower in females than in males.

Cryoprotection of fibroblasts by carboxylated poly-L-lysine upon repeated freeze/thaw cycles.

The cryoprotection of carboxylated h-poly-L-lysine (COOH-PLL) was investigated on fibroblasts [L-929 cells and human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs)] during multiple freeze/thaw cycles. COOH-PLL was not toxic to two fibroblast cell types even at 25% (w/v) concentration, whereas dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) was highly toxic over 3.13% (v/v). When L-929 cells were subjected to 5 freeze/thaw cycles, the media containing 7.5% (w/v) COOH-PLL maintained cell morphology and significantly suppressed growth inhibition as well as cell detachment (P < 0.05). The result was comparable to the media containing 10% (v/v) DMSO. For HDFs, COOH-PLL could effectively retain cell viability and proliferation against 3 freeze/thaw cycles. Cell viability of HDFs was decreased after 5 freeze/thaw cycles, but COOH-PLL exerted better cryoprotection. The cell type might account for the difference in the observations. The data demonstrated that COOH-PLL is a good cryoprotectant for mammalian cells against repeated freeze/thaw cycles, and may be used for cell preservation in fields of cell transplantation, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Protein Profile in Corpus Luteum during Pregnancy in Korean Native Cows.

Steroidogenesis requires coordination of the anabolic and catabolic pathways of lipid metabolism, but the profile of proteins associated with progesterone synthesis in cyclic and pregnant corpus luteum (CL) is not well-known in cattle. In Experiment 1, plasma progesterone level was monitored in cyclic cows (n = 5) and pregnant cows (n = 6; until d-90). A significant decline in the plasma progesterone level occurred at d-19 of cyclic cows. Progesterone level in abbatoir-derived luteal tissues was also determined at d 1 to 5, 6 to 13 and 14 to 20 of cyclic cows, and d-60 and -90 of pregnant cows (n = 5 each). Progesterone level in d-60 CL was not different from those in d 6 to 13 CL and d-90 CL, although the difference between d 6 to 13 and d-90 was significant. In Experiment 2, protein expression pattern in CL at d-90 (n = 4) was compared with that in CL of cyclic cows at d 6 to 13 (n = 5). Significant changes in the level of protein expression were detected in 32 protein spots by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-DE), and 23 of them were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Six proteins were found only in pregnant CL, while the other 17 proteins were found only in cyclic CL. Among the above 6 proteins, vimentin which is involved in the regulation of post-implantation development was included. Thus, the protein expression pattern in CL was disorientated from cyclic luteal phase to mid pregnancy, and alterations in specific CL protein expression may contribute to the maintenance of pregnancy in Korean native cows.