[Association between ambient air pollution and biological aging among the middle-aged and older adults: a systematic review].

Objective: To summarize and elucidate the impact of ambient air pollution on biological aging among middle-aged and older adults. Methods: "Air pollution""Biological age""Epigenetic age""Biological aging"and"Epigenetic aging", as well as specific names of air pollutants and biological age were used as search keywords. This study searched the databases of PubMed and Web of Science for eligible English articles and CNKI, CQVIP, Wanfang, CBM, CSTP and other Chinese databases for eligible Chinese articles from inception until June 30, 2023. The language was limited to Chinese and English. Results: Among the 14 included articles, five studies investigated the impact of air pollution on DNA methylation age using different algorithms, while six studies explored the relationship between air pollutants and telomere length. Six studies focused on frailty as an outcome, and an additional study revealed the relationship between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and its components with composite indicator age (KDM age). The results indicated that, although different forms of biological ages were susceptible to different ambient air pollutants at different degrees, previous studies had consistently found that the increased levels of PM2.5 and one of its major components, black carbon (BC), could significantly accelerate the biological aging of middle-aged and older adults. Similar trends were observed with nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ozone (O3) but with relatively limited evidence. Conclusion: Major air pollutants could accelerate the biological aging of middle-aged and older adults.

[Research progress of the application of metagenomics technology in female reproductive tract diseases].

In recent years, many studies have found that vaginal microbiota is closely related to female reproductive tract diseases. However, traditional microbial culture technology has the defects of long culture cycle and most microorganisms cannot be cultured. The development of metagenomics technique has broken the limitations of culture technology, and has been gradually applied to the study of vaginal microorganisms with the characteristics of high throughput, short time, identification of microbial population structure and gene function. It also provides technical support for elucidating the relationship between vaginal microbiota and female reproductive tract diseases. This article mainly introduces the metagenomics techniques and their applications in prevention, screening and diagnosis of common female reproductive tract diseases, and discusses their promising development and limitations to be overcome.

Ovalbumin expression in the oviduct magnum of hens is related to the rate of egg laying and shows distinct stress-type-specific responses.

Three trials were performed to evaluate the association of ovalbumin (OVA) abundance in the oviduct magnum with egg production and the underlying regulatory mechanism by glucocorticoids. In trial 1, twenty Hy-Line Brown layers (56-60 weeks of age) with different combinations (n = 5/combination) of laying rate (high or low) and egg weight (high or low) were selected from an initial group of 300. An upregulated expression of magnum OVA was observed (p < 0.05) in hens with higher laying rate, regardless of egg weight. In trial 2, eighty Hy-Line Brown layers (80-90 weeks of age) were subjected to the forced moulting (n = 8). The abundance of OVA transcript and protein in the magnum was significantly decreased during moulting (p < 0.01), and the same was true for laying rate (p < 0.01) and serum oestrogen (p < 0.05). In trial 3, forty-five 56-week-old Hy-Line Brown layers were kept individually (n = 15) in the following conditions for 10 days: constant optimal ambient temperature at 23 °C and ad libitum feeding, high ambient temperature at 32 °C for 6 h/day (10:00-16:00) and ad libitum feeding (32AL), and constant optimal ambient temperature at 23 °C and pair-fed to the 32AL hens. In spite of elevated corticosterone in circulation, OVA synthesis, blood oestrogen and laying rate were not affected by heat exposure (p > 0.05). These results allow concluding that OVA expression in the oviduct magnum of hens is related to the rate of egg laying and shows distinct stress-type-specific responses.

[Lower airway abnormalities in patients with allergic rhinitis].

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of lower airway abnormalities in allergic rhinitis(AR) patients without asthma. Methods: Between June 2008 and December 2012, 377 consecutive AR patients and 264 healthy subjects were recruited. All subjects underwent meticulous history taking, nasal examination, allergen skin prick test, blood routine test, serum total immunoglobin E assay, induced sputum cell count and differentials, measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and bronchial challenge test. Results: The positive rates in AR patients was 12.2%(46/377) for bronchial provocation test, 49.2%(185/377) for FeNO, 39.0%(147/377) for sputum eosinophilia, 15.6%(40/377) for peripheral blood eosinophilia and 55.4%(209/377) for increased serum total IgE levels, which were consistently and statistically higher than those of healthy controls(P<0.01). The levels of FeNO [35.0 (21.8, 65.9)ppb], induced sputum eosinophil percentage [2.0 (0.0, 7.5)%], peripheral blood eosinophil percentage [2.9 (1.8, 4.5)%] and serum total IgE [178.4 (63.1, 384.0)kU/L] in AR patients were also higher(P<0.01). Compared with healthy controls, patients with AR demonstrated lower levels of FEV1/FVC%, MMEFpred%, MEF75 pred%, MEF25pred% (all P<0.05). Statistical analysis showed that FeNO, ratio of induced sputum eosinophil percentage and peripheral blood eosinophil percentage had significant correlations with each other(P<0.01), the r value being 0.247, 0.235, 0.355 respectively. Conclusion: AR without asthma is characterized by lower airway inflammation, small airway impairment and bronchial hyperreactivity, features similar to those of asthma.

Dietary supplementation with sodium bicarbonate improves calcium absorption and eggshell quality of laying hens during peak production.

The advantage of supplemental sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) on eggshell quality in laying hens changes with age. Besides increasing calcium (Ca) secretion in the eggshell gland, it may improve Ca absorption in the intestine or kidney. Hy-Line Brown layers (n = 384), 25 weeks of age, were allocated to two treatment groups in two experiments, each of which included 4 replicates of 24 hens. Hens were fed a basal diet (control) or the basal diet containing 3 g NaHCO3 g/kg for 50 or 20 weeks in Experiment 1 or 2, respectively. A 24-h continuous lighting regimen was used to allow hens to consume the dietary supplements during the period of active eggshell formation. In Experiment 1, particularly from 25 to 50 weeks of age, and in Experiment 2, NaHCO3 supplementation favoured hen-d egg production at the expense of lower egg weight. The increased eggshell thickness should have nothing to do with the additional eggshell formation, because of the unchanged egg mass and daily eggshell calcification. At 35 weeks of age in both experiments, NaHCO3 supplementation increased duodenal expression of calbindin-d28k (CaBP-D28k) protein, contributing to higher Ca retention and balance. From 50 to 75 weeks of age in Experiment 1, the hens had little response to NaHCO3 supplementation and showed a negative trend on eggshell thickness and strength. It is concluded that dietary supplementation with 3 g NaHCO3 g/kg improves Ca absorption and eggshell quality of laying hens during the peak but not late production period, with the introduction of continuous lighting.

[Long-term outcomes of childhood steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome].

Objective: To investigate the long-term outcomes and risk factors in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on newly onset SSNS admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2006 to December 2010 and 105 cases with follow-up for more than 10 years were included. Clinical data including general characteristics, clinical manifestation, laboratory tests, treatment and prognosis. The primary outcome was the clinical cure, and the secondary outcomes were relapse or ongoing immunosuppressive treatment within the last 1 year of follow-up and complications at the last follow-up. According to the primary outcome, the patients were divided into clinical cured group and uncured group. Categorical variables were compared between 2 groups using the χ2 or Fisher exact test, and continuous variables by t or Mann-Whitney U test. Multiple Logistic regression models were used for multivariate analysis. Results: Of the 105 children with SSNS, the age of onset was 3.0 (2.1, 5.0) years, and 82 (78.1%) were boys, 23(21.9%) were girls. The follow-up time was (13.1±1.4) years; 38 patients (36.2%) had frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (FRNS or SDNS) and no death or progression to end-stage kidney disease. Eighty-eight patients (83.8%) were clinically cured. Seventeen patients (16.2%) did not reach the clinical cure criteria, and 14 patients (13.3%) had relapsed or ongoing immunosuppressive treatment within the last year of follow-up. The proportion of FRNS or SDNS (12/17 vs. 29.5% (26/88), χ2=10.39), the proportion of treatment with second-line immunosuppressive therapy (13/17 vs. 18.2% (16/88), χ2=21.39), and the level of apolipoprotein A1 at onset ((2.0±0.5) vs. (1.7±0.6) g/L, t=2.02) in the uncured group were higher than those in the clinical cured group (all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that patients treated with immunosuppressive therapy had an increased risk of not reaching clinical cure in the long term (OR=14.63, 95%CI 4.21-50.78, P<0.001). Of the 55 clinically cured patients who had relapsed, 48 patients (87.3%) did not relapse after 12 years of age. The age at last follow-up was 16.4 (14.6, 18.9) years, and 34 patients (32.4%) were ≥18 years of age. Among the 34 patients who had reached adulthood, 5 patients (14.7%) still relapsed or ongoing immunosuppressive treatment within the last year of follow-up. At the last follow-up, among the 105 patients, 13 still had long-term complications, and 8 patients were FRNS or SDNS. The proportion of FRNS or SDNS patients with short stature, obesity, cataracts, and osteoporotic bone fracture was 10.5% (4/38), 7.9% (3/38), 5.3% (2/38), and 2.6% (1/38), respectively. Conclusions: The majority of SSNS children were clinically cured, indicating a favorable long-term prognosis. History of treatment with second-line immunosuppressive therapy was the independent risk factor for patients not reaching the clinical cure criteria in the long term. While it is not uncommon for children with SSNS to persist into adulthood. The prevention and control of long-term complications of FRNS or SDNS patients should be strengthened.

[Prospective study on the effects of resistance training with elastic band at home on muscle function and walking ability of severely burned children].

Objective: To explore the effects of resistance training with elastic band at home on muscle function and walking ability of severely burned children. Methods: A prospective non-randomized controlled study was conducted. From January 2022 to April 2023, 40 children with severe burns who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University & Wuhan Third Hospital. According to the willingness of the children or their families, the children were assigned to conventional rehabilitation group and combined rehabilitation group. During the study, 8 children dropped out of the study, 17 children were finally included in the conventional rehabilitation group with 6 males and 11 females, aged (8.5±2.4) years, and 15 children were included in the combined rehabilitation group with 5 males and 10 females, aged (9.6±2.5) years. The children in the 2 groups received conventional burn rehabilitation treatment in the hospital, including active and passive activity training, scar massage, and pressure therapy. The children in combined rehabilitation group received resistance training with elastic band of 3 to 5 times per week after discharge, and the children in conventional rehabilitation group received daily activity ability training after discharge. Before home rehabilitation training (1 week before discharge) and 12 weeks after home rehabilitation training, the grip strength was measured using a handheld grip dynamometer, the muscle strengths of the upper and lower limbs were measured using a portable dynamometer for muscle strength, lean body mass was measured by bioelectrical impedance measuring instrument, and the 6-min walking distance was measured. Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test, paired sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, or Fisher's exact probability test. Results: After 12 weeks of home rehabilitation training, the grip strengths of children in combined rehabilitation group and conventional rehabilitation group were (15±4) and (11±4) kg, respectively, which were significantly higher than (10±4) and (9±4) kg before home rehabilitation training (with t values of -9.99 and -11.89, respectively, P values all <0.05); the grip strength of children in combined rehabilitation group was significantly higher than that in conventional rehabilitation group (t=3.24, P<0.05). After 12 weeks of home rehabilitation training, the muscle strengths of upper and lower limbs of children in combined rehabilitation group (with t values of -11.39 and -3.40, respectively, P<0.05) and the muscle strengths of upper and lower limbs of children in conventional rehabilitation group (with t values of -7.59 and -6.69, respectively, P<0.05) were significantly higher than those before home rehabilitation training, and the muscle strengths of upper and lower limbs of children in combined rehabilitation group were significantly higher than those in conventional rehabilitation group (with t values of 3.80 and 7.87, respectively, P<0.05). After 12 weeks of home rehabilitation training, the lean body mass of children in combined rehabilitation group was significantly higher than that before home rehabilitation training (t=0.21, P<0.05). After 12 weeks of home rehabilitation training, the 6-min walking distances of children in conventional rehabilitation group and combined rehabilitation group were significantly longer than those before home rehabilitation training (with t values of -5.33 and -3.40, respectively, P<0.05), and the 6-min walking distance of children in combined rehabilitation group was significantly longer than that in conventional rehabilitation group (t=3.81, P<0.05). Conclusions: Conventional burn rehabilitation treatment in hospital and home resistance training with elastic band for 12 weeks after discharge can significantly improve the muscle function and walking ability of severely burned children.

[Analysis of the development trend of burn discipline from the literature published in Chinese Journal of Burns in 22 years].

Objective: To analyze the literature published in Chinese Journal of Burns (now Chinese Journal of Burns and Wounds) in the last 22 years, and to explore the development trend of burn discipline. Methods: The relevant clinical and research literature published in Chinese Journal of Burns from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2021 were retrieved through China National Knowledge Infrastructure database. Bibliometrics was used to classify and analyze the literature by research types, involved research fields, and reported causes of injury, and compare them every 3 years according to the year of publication (with literature published in 2021 being included in the last time period). Keywords of all the literature were retrieved, which were corrected and conversed later. CiteSpace 6.1.R2 software was used to visually cluster the included keywords, count high-frequency and high-centrality keywords, and divide the high-frequency keywords by time as before for segment comparison. Results: A total of 4 485 relevant papers were included, with an average of about 204 papers each year. The research types analysis of literature showed that clinical diagnosis and treatment literature had the highest proportion, reaching 65.3% (2 929/4 485), followed by cell experiment and animal experiment literature, accounting for 18.1% (812/4 485) and 13.2% (591/4 485), respectively. The proportion of various research types of the literature in each time period was basically stable. The analysis of the research fields involved in the literature showed that the literature in the field of systemic treatment of burns accounted for the highest proportion, reaching 60.2% (2 699/4 485), followed by the literature in the fields of acute wounds and plastic surgery, accounting for 20.2% (908/4 485) and 7.3% (326/4 485), respectively. The proportion of the literature in the field of systemic treatment of burns decreased from 84.0% (430/512) in 2000-2002 to 40.3% (373/926) in 2018-2021, with a decreasing proportion of 43.7%. While compared with that in 2000-2002, the proportions of literature in the fields of acute wounds, plastic surgery, chronic wounds, and burn rehabilitation were on the rise, with the proportions in 2018-2021 increased by 11.7%, 9.1%, 10.7%, and 5.5%, respectively. In the first 6 time periods, the number of literature in the field of discipline management was few and remained in single digits, but it increased to 49 in 2018-2021. Among the 1 099 literature in the field of systemic treatment of burns with a clear cause of injury, the literature on thermal burns was the most, accounting for 58.5% (643/1 099), followed by the literature on electrical burns and chemical burns, accounting for 19.8% (218/1 099) and 12.6% (138/1 099), respectively. The comparison by time period showed that the proportion of literature reporting thermal burns showed a significant downward trend, while the proportion of literature reporting other causes of injury did not change significantly. A total of 6 822 keywords from 2 236 literature were included for analysis. Visual cluster analysis showed that relevant studies focused on burns, surgical flaps, scars, and wound healing. The top 3 keywords in frequency were burns, wound healing, and surgical flaps, and the top 3 keywords in centrality were burns, scars, and skin transplantation. The comparison by time period showed that the only keyword with a stable frequency in the top 10 ranks was burns; with the passage of time, some keywords such as endotoxin/endotoxins and fibroblasts gradually dropped out of the top 10 ranks, while keywords such as wounds and injuries, surgical flaps, and negative-pressure wound therapy gradually entered the top 10 ranks. Conclusions: Among the literature published in Chinese Journal of Burns during the last 22 years, the literature on systemic treatment of burns and thermal burns has gradually decreased, while the literature on chronic wounds and burn rehabilitation has increased. Surgical flaps, wound healing, and scar prevention and treatment are the current research hot spots in burn discipline.

Toll-like receptor 2 deficiency improves insulin sensitivity and hepatic insulin signalling in the mouse.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Substantial evidence suggests a link between elevated inflammation and development of insulin resistance. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) recognises a large number of lipid-containing molecules and transduces inflammatory signalling in a variety of cell types, including insulin-responsive cells. Considering the contribution of the fatty acid composition in TLR2-depedent signalling, we hypothesised that the inflammatory signals transduced by TLR2 contribute to insulin resistance. METHODS: Mice deficient in TLR2 were used to investigate the in vivo roles of TLR2 in initiating and maintaining inflammation-associated insulin resistance and energy homeostasis. RESULTS: We first recapitulated the observation with elevated expression of TLR2 and inflammatory cytokines in white adipose tissue and liver of ob/ob mice. Aged or high-fat-fed TLR2-deficient mice were protected from obesity and adipocyte hypertrophy compared with wild-type mice. Moreover, mice lacking TLR2 exhibited improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity regardless of feeding them regular chow or a high-fat diet. This is accompanied by reductions in expression of inflammatory cytokines and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in a liver-specific manner. The attenuated hepatic inflammatory cytokine expression and related signalling are correlated with increased insulin action specifically in the liver in TLR2-deficient mice, reflected by increased insulin-stimulated protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation and IRS1 tyrosine phosphorylation and increased insulin-suppressed hepatocyte glucose production. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The absence of TLR2 attenuates local inflammatory cytokine expression and related signalling and increases insulin action specifically in the liver. Thus, our work has identified TLR2 as a key mediator of hepatic inflammation-related signalling and insulin resistance.

Two novel mutations of the nicastrin gene in Chinese patients with acne inversa.

Acne inversa (AI, OMIM 142690), also called hidradenitis suppurativa, is a chronic, inflammatory, recurrent and debilitating skin follicular disease that usually presents after puberty with painful, deep-seated, inflamed lesions in the apocrine gland-bearing areas of the body, most commonly the axilla, inguinal and anogenital regions.(1) The prevalence of AI has been estimated at 1 in 100 to 1 in 600.(2) Of patients with AI, 35-40% have a positive family history.(3) The pattern of transmission is consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance.(4) In 2006, Gao et al.(5) mapped the AI gene at chromosome 1p21.1-1q25.3. In 2010, Wang et al.(6) were the first to identify mutations of γ-secretase genes responsible for AI among six Chinese families. γ-Secretase is a transmembrane protease composed of four essential protein subunits: one catalytic presenilin (PSEN1) subunit and three cofactor subunits [presenilin enhancer 2 (PSENEN), nicastrin (NCSTN) and anterior pharynx defective 1 (APH1)]. Two, one and three mutations were found in PSENEN, PSEN1 and NCSTN, respectively. Here, we report a heterozygous nonsense c.1695T>G mutation and a heterozygous missense c.632C>G mutation of the NCSTN gene in two Chinese AI families.

[Diagnostic and predictive values of three criterias of acute kidney injury in children with chronic kidney disease].

Objective: To compare the consistency in diagnosing and staging acute kidney injury (AKI) in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) according to three criterias. Methods: Children with CKD hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat sen University from January 2013 to December 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. These patients underwent serum creatinine examination more than twice during hospitalization. The AKI diagnosis and staging were performed for each patient according to the 2007 pRIFLE, 2012 KDIGO and 2018 pROCK criteria respectively. All the children were followed up for 1 year after discharge through outpatient visit, re-hospitalization or online consultation. The clinical characteristics and prognosis of CKD children with or without AKI that were diagnosed by 3 criteria were compared. Analysis of variance and chi-squared tests were used for the comparison among groups. Concordance between the different diagnostic criteria was evaluated using Cohen's kappa coefficient. Result: A total of 2 551 children with CKD were included in this study, with an age of (8±4) years. There were 1 628 boys and 923 girls. Nephrotic syndrome was the most prevalent primary disease (55.4%), followed by lupus nephritis (11.2%) and purpura nephritis (8.2%). Among all stages of CKD, CKD category G1 was the most common type (2 146 cases, 84.1%), followed by CKD category G2 (221 cases, 8.7%). AKI occurence rates according to pRIFLE, KDIGO and pROCK criteria were 33.9% (866/2 551), 26.2%(669/2 551) and 19.5% (498/2 551) respectively (χ²=136.3,P<0.01). The diagnostic consistency within three criteria for AKI was high in children with CKD (κ=0.702), but AKI staging consistency was low (κ=0.329). Both the diagnosis and staging consistency of three AKI criteria were poor in children with CKD category G5 (all κ<0.400). The length of hospital stay (LOS), hospitalization costs, the occurence of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and in-hospital mortality were significantly higher in children with AKI diagnosed by different criteria (P<0.05). After 1-year follow-up, the repeated admission rate and CKD staging progress significantly increased in children with AKI (P<0.05). In children with baseline serum creatinine≥200 µmol/L, compared with children who did not experience AKI during hospitalization, the LOS and the hospitalization costs in children who were diagnosed AKI according to pRIFLE or pROCK criteria was significantly higher (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the LOS and hospitalization costs between children with or without AKI who were diagnosed according to KDIGO criteria (all P>0.05). Conclusions: AKI diagnosed by all of the three criteria (pRIFLE, KDIGO and pROCK criteria) was associated with the poor prognosis in children with CKD. However, in those whose baseline serum creatinine≥ 200 µmol/L, AKI diagnosed by pRIFLE and pROCK criteria could better reflect the poor outcomes than by KDIGO criteria.

[Retrospective study of fiberoptic bronchoscopy airway lavage in the treatment of extremely severe burn patients with severe inhalation injury].

Objective: To explore the clinical effects of fiberoptic bronchoscopy airway lavage (FBAL) in the treatment of extremely severe burn patients with severe inhalation injury. Methods: From January 2015 to January 2019, 47 extremely severe burn patients with severe inhalation injury who were hospitalized in Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University & Wuhan Third Hospital, meeting the inclusion criteria, were recruited in this retrospective cohort study. According to whether or not they were treated with FBAL, the patients were divided into fiberoptic bronchoscopy group (23 cases, 19 males and 4 females) and routine group (24 cases, 20 males and 4 females), with the age of (44±11) and (49±9) years, and the admission time of 4 (3, 4) h and 4 (3, 5) h respectively. The patients in routine group were given routine comprehensive treatment, and the patients in fiberoptic bronchoscopy group were treated with FBAL on the basis of routine comprehensive treatment. The pH value, arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO(2)), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO(2)), arterial oxygen saturation (SaO(2)), oxygenation index, white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophils, blood lactic acid, and procalcitonin (PCT) at admission and on post injury day (PID) 3, 5, 7, and 10, the time of mechanical ventilation, the day of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, the incidence of complications and death within PID 28 were compared between the two study groups. The occurrences of bronchospasm and asphyxia of patients in fiberoptic bronchoscopy group were monitored. Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, Bonferroni correction, chi-square test, and Fisher's exact probability test. Results: (1) At admission, the values of pH, PaO(2), PaCO(2), SaO(2), and oxygenation index of patients in the two groups were similar (Z=-0.118, -0.320, -0.362, -2.416, -0.234, P>0.05). On PID 3, 5, 7, and 10, the values of pH, PaO(2), SaO(2), and oxygenation index of patients in fiberoptic bronchoscopy group were significantly higher than those of routine group (Z(3 d)=-4.711, -4.161, -5.525, -2.661; Z(5 d)=-3.489, -4.678, -5.875, -3.599; Z(7 d)=-5.104, -4.619, -5.876, -4.844; Z(10 d)=-4.026, -5.698, -5.877, -4.716; P<0.05 or P<0.01). The PaCO(2) values of patients in fiberoptic bronchoscopy group were significantly lower than those of routine group (Z=-2.895, -3.162, -3.407, -2.831, P<0.05 or P<0.01). (2) At admission and on PID 3, 5, and 7, the values of WBC, blood lactic acid, and PCT of patients in the two groups were similar (Z=-0.830, -0.915, -0.458, -0.648, -1.714, -1.479; -0.330, -0.128, -1.766, -0.494, -1.396, -1.522, P>0.05). On PID 10, the values of WBC, blood lactic acid, and PCT of patients in fiberoptic bronchoscopy group were significantly lower than those of routine group (Z=-3.502, -2.630, -2.662, P<0.05 or P<0.01). At admission, the value of neutrophils of patients in fiberoptic bronchoscopy group was 0.887 (0.862, 0.912), which was similar to 0.887 (0.856, 0.897) in routine group (Z=-0.404, P>0.05). On PID 3, 5, 7, and 10, the values of neutrophils of patients in fiberoptic bronchoscopy group were respectively 0.848 (0.802, 0.867), 0.831 (0.815, 0.849), 0.798 (0.771, 0.849), 0.796 (0.751, 0.869), which were significantly lower than those of routine group [0.882 (0.820, 0.906), 0.871 (0.835, 0.903), 0.845 (0.819, 0.905), 0.881 (0.819, 0.916), Z=-2.756, -2.810, -2.618, -3.033, P<0.05]. (3) The time of mechanical ventilation and the days of ICU stay of patients were shorter in fiberoptic bronchoscopy group than those in routine group (Z=-2.199, t=2.368, P<0.05). Within PID 28, the number of patients with complications was significantly less in fiberoptic bronchoscopy group than in routine group (χ(2)=5.436, P<0.05), while the incidence of death within PID 28 in fiberoptic bronchoscopy group was similar to that of routine group (P>0.05). The airway lavage procedures of patients in fiberoptic bronchoscopy group went well with no bronchospasm or asphyxia occurred. Conclusions: FBAL is effective in treating extremely severe burn patients combined with severe inhalation injury. It can improve the oxygenation status of the lung, reduce the systemic inflammatory reaction of patients, shorten the time of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay, and reduce the incidence of complications.

Analysis of EEG Lemple-Ziv complexity and correlative aspects before and after treatment of anti-syphilis therapy for neurosyphilis.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of electroencephalogram (EEG) complexity in patients with neurosyphilis by comparing the changes of electroencephalogram Lempel-Ziv complexity (EEG-LZC) before and after anti-syphilis treatment. Methods The EEG complexity of neurosyphilis patients diagnosed in our hospital from July in 2015 to June in 2017 was analyzed and compared with other diagnostic results such as serology examination and cerebrospinal fluid examination. Results A total of 27 patients were diagnosed, including 19 males and 8 females, of which 6 were mesenchymal(cerebrospinal membrane and meningeal vascular), 16 were parenchymal(paralytic dementia, spinal cord tuberculosis and optic neuropathy), and 5 were asymptomatic. After intensive anti-syphilis therapy, the LZC increased significantly in all patients while the trend and degree of change were consistent with other diagnostic results. Conclusion The LZC can be used as one of the diagnostic indexes meanwhile the trend and degree of its change can be used as the reference index of curative effect to neurosyphilis.

[The significance of eosinophils in the correlation of upper and lower airway inflammation in patients with chronic rhinitis].

Objective: To explore the predictor of lower airway inflammation among the index of nasal inflammation by investigating the expression and association of eosinophils (EOS) in the upper-lower airways and blood of patients with chronic rhinitis. Methods: A total of 162 patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), 117 patients with non-allergic rhinitis (NAR) and 104 controls were enrolled from June 2010 to December 2013 from General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command, People's Liberation Army. All subjects were required detailed medical history collection and nasal resistance measurement. Skin prick test (SPT), blood total immunoglobin E (tIgE) and blood EOS, nasal lavage and induced sputum EOS, nasal provocation and bronchial provocation test (NPT, BPT), nasal and forced exhaled nitric oxide (NNO, FeNO) were performed in all patients. One-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between groups. LSD t test or Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between the two groups. Pearson or Spearman related parameter test was used for correlation analysis. Results: The nasal lavage EOS, NNO, induced sputum EOS, FeNO, blood EOS and tIgE were higher in the AR group than that in the NAR group (3.70[1.20, 14.23]/200 HP vs 1.40[0.20, 3.40]/200 HP, 673.50[466.80, 936.00] ppb vs 455.80[248.10, 705.60] ppb, 2.97[0.00, 10.63]% vs 1.00[0.23, 2.00]%, (49.28±26.37)ppb vs (34.07±19.11)ppb, 4.00[2.00, 7.00]% vs 2.00[1.00, 5.00]%, 208.01[61.70, 387.50] IU/ml vs 43.30[19.00, 122.00] IU/ml, F or χ(2) value was 11.442, 19.440, 70.727, 69.449, 47.453, 46.525, respectively, all P<0.05). But there was no significant difference in nasal resistance, NPT and BPT between the two groups. Nasal lavage EOS in AR group and NAR group was correlated with induced sputum EOS, FeNO, tIgE and blood EOS (r value of AR group was 0.448, 0.202, 0.159, 0.321, r value of NAR group was 0.442, 0.268, 0.268, 0.334, respectively, all P<0.05), but not with BPT. After adjustment for gender, age, height and weight, nasal EOS was positively correlated with sputum EOS. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that nasal EOS, blood EOS and SPT were factors affecting sputum EOS levels. The optimal threshold for nasal EOS to determine induced sputum EOS was 3.30/200 HP by (receiver operating characteristic,ROC) analysis. Conclusion: The nasal EOS is correlated with multiple lower airway and systemic inflammatory markers, and is a risk factor for the induced sputum EOS, which can be used as an inflammation biomarker to predict the lower air inflammation.

Increased ferritin gene expression in atherosclerotic lesions.

To identify genes potentially implicated in atherogenesis, a cDNA library was constructed from human atherosclerotic aorta and differentially screened with 32P-labeled-cDNAs prepared from human normal and atherosclerotic aortas. Two cDNA clones exhibiting higher hybridization to the 32P-labeled cDNAs from atherosclerotic vessels were isolated and identified to be genes encoding L-ferritin and H-ferritin, respectively. Northern blot analysis confirmed that the expression of both ferritin genes was notably higher in human and rabbit atherosclerotic aortas than in their normal counterparts. A time-course study illustrated that both L- and H-ferritin mRNAs were markedly increased in aortas of rabbits after feeding with a high cholesterol diet for 6 wk, which was also the time period after which the formation of lesions became evident. In situ hybridization revealed that both L- and H-ferritin mRNAs were induced in endothelial cells and macrophages of human early lesions. The signals were also detected in the smooth muscle cells of advanced lesions. Immunostaining further identified the presence of ferritin protein in atherosclerotic lesions. On the other hand, Prussian blue stain revealed the presence of iron deposits in advanced lesions but not in early human or rabbit lesions. Further experiments with cultured human monocytic THP-1 cells and aortic smooth muscle cells demonstrated that ferritin mRNAs were subjected to up-regulation by treatment with IL-1 or TNF, while TGF, PDGF, and oxidized LDL did not affect the expression of either ferritin gene in both cell lines. Collectively, these results clearly demonstrate that ferritin genes are susceptible to induction in the course of plaque formation.

[Epidemiological investigation on 2 133 hospitalized patients with electrical burns].

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of the hospitalized patients with electrical burns in Institute of Burns of Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University & Wuhan Third Hospital (hereinafter referred to as Institute of Burns of Wuhan Third Hospital), so as to provide reference for the prevention and treatment of electrical burns. Methods: Medical records of all hospitalized burn patients in Institute of Burns of Wuhan Third Hospital from January 2004 to December 2016 were collected. Genders, ages, social categories, seasons of injury, total burn areas, depths of wounds, electrical voltages of injury, sites of wound, treatment methods, amputation rates, lengths of hospital stay, operation costs, hospitalization costs, and treatment outcomes of the electrical burn patients were collected. Treatment methods, lengths of hospital stay, operation costs, and hospitalization costs of the thermal burn patients were collected and compared with those of the electrical burn patients. Electrical voltages of injury, amputation rates, operation costs, hospitalization costs, and treatment outcomes were compared and analyzed between the electrical contact burn patients and the electrical arc burn patients. Data were processed with Chi-square test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Results: During the 13 years, 23 534 burn patients were admitted to Institute of Burns of Wuhan Third Hospital, among whom 2 133 (9.1%) were with electrical burns, without obvious variation in admission number of electrical burn patients every year. There were 1 418 patients (66.5%) with electrical contact burns and 715 patients (33.5%) with electrical arc burns. The ratio of male to female was 11.2∶1.0 among the electrical burn patients with known genders. The proportions of three age groups of more than 20 years old and less than or equal to 30 years old, more than 30 years old and less than or equal to 40 years old, and more than 40 years old and less than or equal to 50 years old were relatively higher, which were 18.3% (391/2 133), 22.1% (471/2 133), and 24.6% (525/2 133), respectively. The first three social category groups in proportions were workers, peasants, and preschool children, which were 57.9% (1 235/2 133), 14.6% (311/2 133), and 6.0% (128/2 133), respectively. Among the electrical burn patients with known seasons of injury, most cases were injured in summer (659 cases, accounting for 34.1%), obviously more than the proportions in autumn (537 cases, accounting for 27.8%), spring (455 cases, accounting for 23.5%), and winter (283 cases, accounting for 14.6%), with χ(2) values from 8.414 to 149.573, P values below 0.01. The group of patients with total burn areas less than 10% total body surface area (TBSA) occupied the highest proportion (1 603 cases, accounting for 75.15%), among whom 229 (10.74%) were with scattered small wounds which were less than 1% TBSA. The percentage of electrical contact burn patients with deep wounds was 79.1% (1 122/1 418), which was obviously higher than 2.5% (18/715) of the electrical arc burn patients (χ(2)=381.741, P<0.001). Among the patients with known electrical voltages of injury, patients injured by high voltage among the electrical contact burn patients accounted for 78.4% (469/598), which was obviously higher than 8.7% (11/127) of the electrical arc burn patients (χ(2)=227.893, P<0.001). The most common wound site of the electrical burn patients was upper limbs (1 650 cases, accounting for 63.2%), followed by lower limbs (382 cases, accounting for 14.6%), head and neck (292 cases, accounting for 11.2%), trunk (247 cases, accounting for 9.5%), and hip and perineum (40 cases, accounting for 1.5%). The operation rate of electrical burn patients was 32.4% (691/2 133), obviously higher than 19.1% (3 860/20 209)of the thermal burn patients during the same period (χ(2)=210.255, P<0.001). Wounds of 116 electrical contact burn patients were repaired with free flap by vascular anastomosis, of which 9 (7.8%) failed. The length of hospital stay, the operation cost, and the hospitalization cost of electrical burn patients were (28±29) d, (9 534±16 935) and (44 258±93 012) Yuan, respectively, obviously longer or higher than those of the thermal burn patients during the same period [(17±19) d, (2 990±8 916) and (23 291±88 340) Yuan, respectively, with Z values from -21.323 to -10.996, P values below 0.001]. The amputation rate and the death rate of electrical burn patients were 3.8% (82/2 133) and 0.8% (16/2 133) respectively. Compared with those of electrical arc burn patients, the amputation rate and the operation cost of electrical contact burn patients were obviously higher (χ(2)=36.970, Z=-11.351, P values below 0.001), and the length of hospital stay of electrical contact burn patients was obviously longer (Z=-5.181, P<0.001). There were no significant differences in hospitalization cost and treatment outcome between the electrical contact burn patients and the electrical arc burn patients (Z=-1.461, χ(2)=1.673, P values above 0.05). Conclusions: The number and the proportion of hospitalized electrical burn patients in Institute of Burns of Wuhan Third Hospital were relatively high, indicating a hard task of prevention for electrical burns in Wuhan area. Working-age workers and farmers, and preschool children were the key groups in prevention from electrical burns. The length of hospital stay, the operation cost, and the hospitalization cost of electrical burn patients were obviously higher than those of thermal burn patients. The amputation rate and the operation cost of electrical contact burn patients were obviously higher than those of electrical arc burn patients, but there were no obvious differences in hospitalization cost or treatment outcome between them. Actively using tissue flaps including free flap to repair of wounds may be helpful to reduce the amputation rate, improve the results, and shorten the time of treatment.

[Analysis of microRNA expression profile in serum of patients with electrical burn or thermal burn].

Objective: To explore the differential expression of microRNAs in the serum among patients with electrical burn or thermal burn and healthy persons and to explore the significance. Methods: In this study we included three patients with electrical burn and three patients with thermal burn, conforming to the inclusion criteria and hospitalized in our burn ward from June to August 2015, and three healthy adult volunteers. Their serum samples were separated from whole blood and divided into electrical burn group, thermal burn group, and normal control group. Total RNA was extracted from their serum samples using Trizol method. The differentially expressed microRNAs (with differential ratio larger than or equal to 2.000, less than or equal to 0.500) among the three groups were screened by microRNA chip technique. Then cluster and Venn diagram analysis of the differentially expressed microRNAs were performed. Enrichment analysis of Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) signaling pathway was performed on the distinctly changed microRNAs (with differential ratio larger than or equal to 5.000, less than or equal to 0.500). Results: There were 220 differentially expressed microRNAs among serum of the three groups. MicroRNA expression profiles in serum of electrical burn and thermal burn groups were different from that in serum of normal control group. Compared with those in serum of normal control group, the expressions of 59 microRNAs changed more than 2.000 times in serum of electrical burn group, with 50 up-regulated microRNAs and 9 down-regulated microRNAs; the expressions of 40 microRNAs changed more than 2.000 times in serum of thermal burn group, with 21 up-regulated microRNAs and 19 down-regulated microRNAs. Compared with those in serum of thermal burn group, the expressions of 167 microRNAs changed more than 2.000 times in serum of electrical burn group. There were 17 exclusively expressed microRNAs in serum of thermal burn group and 26 exclusively expressed microRNAs in serum of electrical burn group, compared with those in serum of normal control group. Enrichment analysis of KEGG signaling pathway showed that compared with those in serum of normal control group, microRNAs which changed distinctly in serum of electrical burn group took part in the insulin secretion signaling pathway, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy signaling pathway, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy signaling pathway, glutamatergic synapse signaling pathway, calcium signaling pathway, cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling pathway, glycerophospholipid metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, serotonergic synapse signaling pathway, etc, while microRNAs which changed distinctly in serum of thermal burn group took part in the tumor transcription misregulation signaling pathway, proteoglycans in tumor signaling pathway, microRNAs in tumor signaling pathway, long-term potentiation signaling pathway, citrate cycle signaling pathway, tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, focal adhesion signaling pathway, endocytosis signaling pathway, insulin secretion signaling pathway, p53 signaling pathway, and estrogen signaling pathway, etc. Conclusions: MicroRNA expression profiles in serum of electrical and thermal burn are different from that in serum of healthy adult. The signaling pathways enriched with target genes which are regulated by the differentially expressed microRNAs are related to the pathological changes and clinical manifestations after electrical or thermal burn.

[Application of nasolabial fold wrapped perforator flap in one-stage repairof nasal alar full-thickness defects after tumor resection].

Objective:To explore the application of nasolabial fold wrapped perforator flap in one-stage repair of nasal alar full-thickness defects after external nasal tumor resection.Method:Fifteen csaes of alar full-thickness defects after external nasal tumor resection were repaired with the nasolabial fold wrapped perforator flaps in a one-stage procedure. We detected the blood vessel distribution and exit of the blood vessel with Doppler Ultrasonography before these surgeries，and designed the nasolabial fold wrapped perforator flap according to the area and size of nasal alar defects． The flap with reasonable thickness was able to repair the both sides of defect after being trimmed properly. Meanwhile，the flap could be folded to form a local flap covered or lined with skin. We rotated and transferred the flap to repair nasal alar defect． Result:All the flaps survived and all donor sites healed primarily．After 3 to 36 months of follow-up,the color，texture and thickness of the flaps was similar to those of recipient sites．The scar in donor site was minor．There was little scab skin in the nasal cavity. The cosmetic results was satisfactory. Conclusion:The nasolabial fold wrapped perforator flap has the advantages of reliable blood supply,long pedicle flap,proper thickness,outside the skin and the inner lining. The cosmetic appearance of nose is satisfactory.There was little scab skin in the nasal cavity. Also the sensory function of the external nose was retained. The nasolabial fold wrapped perforator flap technique provides an ideal reconstructive option for the nasal alar full-thickness defect repair at one-stage after tumor resection.

[Differential expression of microRNAs in serum of severe burn patients and analysis of the signaling pathway at early stage].

Objective: To explore differential expression of microRNAs in serum of patients with severe burn and analysis of the signaling pathway at early stage. Methods: In this study, we included three healthy adult volunteers and three patients with severe burn, conforming to the inclusion criteria and hospitalized in Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University & Wuhan Third Hospital in July 2015. Venous whole blood of 6 mL of each burn patient and healthy volunteer was collected at 24 to 48 h post injury of burn patients. The whole blood was divided into burn group and healthy control group. Whole blood of 2 mL of each one was used to determine white blood cell count and neutrophile granulocyte content. Serum was separated from the other whole blood of 4 mL of each one. Half of serum was used to determine content of blood glucose, total protein, and albumin; another half of serum was used to extract total RNA with Trizol method. The differentially expressed microRNA, with differential expression ratio larger than or equal to 1.500 between 2 groups, were screened by microRNA chip technique. Then cluster analysis and functional enrichment analysis of Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) signaling pathway were performed on the differentially expressed microRNAs. Data were processed with t test. Results: (1) Content of white blood cell count, neutrophile granulocyte of whole blood, and blood glucose of serum of patients in burn group was obviously higher than that in healthy control group (with t values from 4.27 to 7.83, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Content of total protein and albumin of serum of patients in burn group was significantly lower than that in healthy control group (with t values respectively -12.80 and -12.36, P values below 0.01). (2)Compared with those in serum of healthy control group, differential expression ratios of 48 microRNAs in serum of burn group were larger than 1.500, with 22 up-regulated microRNAs and 26 down-regulated microRNAs. MicroRNA expression profile in serum of burn group was different from that of healthy control group. (3)Functional enrichment analysis of KEGG signaling pathway showed that compared with those in serum of healthy control group, microRNAs of differential expression in serum of burn group took part in tumor transcription misregulation signaling pathway, tumor proteoglycan signaling pathway, long-term potentiation signaling pathway, tumor associated microRNAs signaling pathway, citrate cycle signaling pathway, tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, focal adhesion signaling pathway, endocytosis signaling pathway, insulin secretion signaling pathway, and estrogen signaling pathway. Conclusions: MicroRNA expression profile in serum of patients with severe burn is different from that in serum of healthy adults. MicroRNAs of differential expression may take part in important pathophysiological process of energy metabolism, inflammatory response, and regulation of blood glucose at early stage of severe burn.

[Application of laser speckle perfusion imaging in predicting wound healing time of burn patients].

Objective: To explore the application effect of laser speckle perfusion imaging (LSPI) in predicting wound healing time of burn patients. Methods: LSPI was performed in 84 adult burn patients hospitalized in department of burns of Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University & Wuhan Third Hospital within post injury hour (PIH) 24 to 72 to detect the blood perfusion values of the wounds. The wound healing time was recorded. The 128 wounds were divided into superficial group (wound healing time shorter than or equal to 14 d, n=57) and deep group (wound healing time longer than 14 d and shorter than or equal to 28 d, n=71) according to the healing time. The blood perfusion values of the two groups were compared. Data were processed with t test or chi-square test. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn and Youden index was calculated to determine the optimal critical blood perfusion value of wound healing time of the two groups, and the validity of the critical value was assessed by Kappa consistency test. Results: (1) The blood perfusion value of woundsin superficial group was (6.8±1.8) perfusion unit (PU), which was significantly higher than (3.5±1.3) PU in deep group (t=11.404, P<0.01). (2) The total area under ROC curve of blood perfusion value to predict wound healing time was 0.931 (with 95% confidence interval 0.887-0.975, P<0.01). Combined with Youden index, 5.52 PU was chosen as the optimal critical value of wound healing time of the two groups, with sensitivity of 76.9% and specificity of 94.7%. (3) The healing time of 44 wounds predicted was shorter than or equal to 14 d, and the healing time of 84 wounds predicted was longer than 14 d and shorter than or equal to 28 d, while the actual number of wounds was 57 and 71, respectively. The Kappa coefficient of consistency test was 0.754 (P<0.01). Conclusion: LSPI is a useful method to predict the healing time of burn wounds.