Wangzhou Li

The status of microRNA-21 expression and its clinical significance in human cutaneous malignant melanoma.

Dysregulation of microRNA-21 plays critical roles in tumor initiation and progression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of microRNA-21 expression in human cutaneous malignant melanoma and determine its clinical significance. TaqMan(®) real-time RT-PCR assay was performed to examine the expression of microRNA-21 in 10 cases of dysplastic nevi, 86 cases of primary cutaneous melanomas, 10 cases of melanoma metastases. The correlation of microRNA-21 expression with clinicopathological factors or prognosis of patients with cutaneous melanoma was statistically analyzed. Additionally, the effects of microRNA-21 expression on growth, apoptosis and chemo- or radiosensitivity of melanoma cells were also investigated by transfection of microRNA-21 inhibitor. We firstly showed that increased levels of microRNA-21 expression were shown from dysplastic nevi to primary cutaneous melanomas to melanoma metastases. Moreover, high miR-21 expression was found to be correlated with Breslow thickness and advanced clinical stage. Patients with high microRNA-21 expression showed shorter 5-year disease-free or overall survival than those with low microRNA-21 expression. Furthermore, multivariate regression analysis showed that the status of microRNA-21 expression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival of patients. Antisense-mediated microRNA-21 inhibition could significantly suppress growth, increase apoptosis and enhance chemo- or radiosensitivity of human cutaneous melanoma cells by inducing the increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Thus, the status of microRNA-21 might be an independent prognostic factor for patients with cutaneous melanoma, and microRNA-21 has the potential of being a novel molecular target for the treatment of human cutaneous melanoma.

Zeolite-based hemostat QuikClot releases calcium into blood and promotes blood coagulation in vitro.

Aim:To examine the changes in electrolyte concentrations after addition of zeolite-based hemostat QuikClot in blood and the effects of zeolite on blood coagulation in vitro.Methods:Fresh blood was taken from healthy adult volunteers and sheep, and the electrolyte concentrations in blood were measured using a blood electrolyte analyzer. Zeolite Saline Solution (ZSS) was prepared by addition of 2 g zeolite to 0.9% NaCl solution (4, 8, or 16 mL). The electrolytes in ZSS were measured using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) of blood were measured using the test tube method. The activated clotting time (ACT) and clotting rate (CR) of blood were measured with Sonoclot Coagulation and Platelet Function Analyzer.Results:Addition of zeolite (50 and 100 mg) in 2 mL human blood significantly increased Ca2+ concentration, while Na+ and K+ concentrations were significantly decreased. Addition of zeolite (50 and 100 mg) in 0.9% NaCl solution (2 mL) caused similar changes in Ca2+ and Na+ concentrations. Si4+ (0.2434 g/L) and Al3+ (0.2575 g/L) were detected in ZSS (2 g/8 mL). Addition of ZSS in sheep blood shortened APTT in a concentration dependent manner, without changing PT. ZSS or aqueous solution of CaCl2 that contained Ca2+ concentration identical to that of ZSS significantly shortened ACT in human blood without significantly changing CR, and the effect of ZSS on ACT was not significantly different from that of CaCl2.Conclusion:Zeolite releases Ca2+ into blood, thus accelerating the intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation and shortening the clot formation time.

Epidemiological studies of electrical injuries in Shaanxi Province of China: A retrospective report of 383 cases

A statistical survey was conducted at the Burn Unit of the Tangdu Hospital, Shaanxi, China, during the 10-year period from January 2000 to December 2009. In this retrospective study, 383 patients who admitted to our burn unit because of electrical trauma were included. Data including the patients general condition, clinical presentation, complications and operation times was collected retrospectively and analyzed with epidemiological methods. Subjects in our collective were predominantly male (90.3%, n=346/383) and were composed by those who injured in work-related incidents (78.3%, n=300/383), rural individuals (58.2%, n=223/383) and students (9.4%, n=36/383). High voltage was directly correlated to severity clinical complications, and amputation. The percentage of myocardial impairment was 79.3% (n=92/116) among patients who suffered with electrical current through heart tissue. Along with the more developed east area of China, electrical injuries are becoming a growing concern of the developing West part in China as well. Electrical injuries induce serious tissue damage, need long hospital stay, and result in high rate of permanent disability and economic hardship for the afflicted families. A competent prevention program needs to be developed to address this problem.

Treatment of infected soft tissue blast injury in swine by regulated negative pressure wound therapy.

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the therapeutic potential of regulated negative pressure wound therapy (RNPT) in treating infected blast injuries in swine. Background: Approximately 30% to 80% of blast injuries develop infection, which increases the morbidity and mortality of these casualties. RNPT has been used in US military operations in Iraq; however, no randomized controlled study has been conducted on the use of RNPT to treat infected war injuries. Methods: Infected soft tissue blast injuries were treated with gauze dressings or RNPT with different pressures ranging from −5 to −35 kPa. To evaluate the wound healing process, the wound area, wound depth, the number of proliferative cells, and the vascular endothelial cells in the granulation tissue were measured at different time points. Furthermore, to evaluate the infection and inflammation of the blast injury, the bacterial load, bacterial species, and several inflammatory markers were detected. Results: Compared with gauze dressing treatments, RNPT reduced bacterial load more efficiently, initiated granulation tissue formation earlier, and increased the inflammation faster. Negative pressures ranging from −10 to −25 kPa applied on the RNPT group showed beneficial effects in treating the infected soft tissue blast injury. RNPT did not significantly change both the aerobic and anaerobic bacterial composition compared with those of the gauze dressing group. Conclusions: RNPT clearly shows beneficial effects in treating the infected soft tissue blast injury in comparison with the gauze dressing therapy in swine.

Human acellular dermal matrix allograft: A randomized, controlled human trial for the long-term evaluation of patients with extensive burns

The potential of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) to improve cosmetic and functional outcomes has been demonstrated; however, there have been few clinical comparative studies assessing the long-term morphological, histological and functional changes after ADM placement. This study was designed to retrospectively evaluate the long-term outcomes of the cograft acellular dermal matrix with autologous thin split-thickness skin for the coverage of wounds in extensively burned patients. Thirty burn patients treated with a composite graft of ADM with autologous split-thickness skin from January 2007 to December 2009 were enrolled in this study. Another group of thirty patients who received only an autogenous split-thickness skin implant served as the control. Our study revealed that the collagen in the dermis treated with ADM were ordered, and the proportion of collagen III/I was much higher in the control group than in the ADM group. The basement membrane was prominent and continuous. Meanwhile, the VBSS (Vancouver Burn Skin Score) was used to evaluate skin quality, which shows a significant differences between the two group (P<0.001). Then the functional level was evaluated by the BI (Barthel Index), and the ADM group was much better than the control group (P=0.005). Based on these results, we concluded that the composite graft of ADM with autologous thin split-thickness skin was suitable for repairing the defects in functional areas after a burn. This technique might facilitate wound management with acceptable esthetic outcomes, good functional recovery and less scar hyperplasia at the donor site.

Structure and properties of chitin/alginate blend membranes from NaOH/urea aqueous solution.

Chitin/alginate (CA) blend membranes were successfully prepared from 8 wt% NaOH/4 wt% urea aqueous solution by coagulating with 0.5M CaCl(2) aqueous solution containing 5 wt% HCl. Morphology, mechanical properties, thermal stability, and antimicrobial effects of the membranes were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, IR and UV spectroscopes, X-ray diffraction, tensile tests, thermogravimetric analysis, water swelling and antimicrobial tests. The CA blends were miscible when the content of alginate was range from 33 to 67 wt%. The crystallinity of the blend membranes decreased with an increase of alginate. Comparing with chitin membranes, the tensile strength and breaking elongation of the blend membranes were obviously improved in dry and wet states. The best values of the tensile strength and breaking elongation were 48 MPa and 27%, respectively. All the blend membranes still retained obvious antimicrobial effects toward S. aureus and E. coli. Therefore, they showed potential for biomedical application.

A refined minimally invasive procedure for radical treatment of axillary osmidrosis: Combined tumescent liposuction with subcutaneous pruning through a small incision

Tumescent liposuction has been proved to be a safe, effective and minimally invasive procedure in axillary osmidrosis treatment. However, the procedure alone is very hard to completely remove the apocrine glands tightly attached to the dermis in dermo-subcutaneous junction. Although several similar techniques have been reported in the past few years, the results are still not fully satisfied. In this report, we introduce a modified procedure as an alternative for osmidrosis patients. Twenty-eight patients (22 females and 6 males) were recruited to a clinic study for axillary malodor treatment from March 2009 to September 2010. The study obtained approval from the Medical Ethics Committee of Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University. Informed consent was obtained from each patient. The inclusion criteria were: 18 years or older, unpleasant odor frequently detected by both the patient and those being in proximity, no surgical intervention was done before, willing and able to appear for postoperative follow up. Surgeries were performed under local tumescent anesthesia in the outpatient operating room. Distribution of the armpit hair was marked as 0.5e1 cm larger than the outer edge and a 0.8e1 cm incision was made (Figure 1A). After infiltrating of 150e300 mL tumescent fluid into the subcutaneous tissue, a single-pore tube of 3 mm in diameter was used to perform aspiration of the deep subcutaneous adipose tissue until most of the fats and apocrine glands in this layer were removed (Figure 1B). Then, ophthalmic or dissecting scissors were used to remove the residual apocrine sweat glands located in superficial subcutaneous tissue and dermo-subcutaneous junction (Figrure 1C). Subcutaneous pruning continued until the thickness of the skin flap approximated to that of a full-thickness skin graft. The tissue debris was squeezed out and irrigated several

New swine model of infected soft tissue blast injury.

BACKGROUND War injuries, especially blast injuries, have a high risk of infection. However, no animal models of infected war injuries have been built in large animals, which retards both the understanding and the treatment optimization of infected war injuries. METHODS Soft tissue blast injuries were created by explosion of electric detonators in white domestic pigs. The ultra structure of the tissue around the wound was determined by transmission electron microscope. To develop infection of blast injury wounds, the pigs were housed in a standard animal house which was disinfected periodically, and the wounds were left untreated for 3 days. Wound specimens were collected daily to determine the bacterial load and bacterial components. To determine whether infection induces tissue necrosis in infected soft tissue blast injury wounds, uninfected blast injury wounds were created as controls of infected wounds by surgical debridement daily, and the wound area and wound depth of both wounds were measured. RESULTS The wound area and the wound depth of the soft tissue blast injury created in this study fell in the range of human moderate soft tissue war injuries, and the ultra structure of the wounds was comparable with that of human blast injury wounds. The bacterial load of uninfected wounds was under 105 colony forming unit/g during the first 3 days of injury, while that of infected wounds was over 107 colony forming unit/g after 2 days of injury. The infected soft tissue blast injury wounds contained most of the bacteria frequently isolated in battlefield wounds. In addition, infection induced evident tissue necrosis in infected blast injury wounds. CONCLUSION The infected soft tissue blast injury wounds mimic those in human, and they can be used to address key points of treatment optimization.

Electrical injury alters ion channel expression levels and electrophysiological properties in rabbit dorsal root ganglia neurons

The electrophysiological and morphological changes of nerve fibers induced by electrical injury have been widely addressed. However, the changes of ion channels in neurons after electrical shocks have not been systematically investigated yet. In this study, the sciatic nerves of rabbit were injured by 50 V 50 Hz, 110 V 50 Hz, and 220 V 50 Hz alternating current, respectively. One week later, the expression levels and electrophysiological changes of voltage-gated potassium (Kv) and sodium (Nav) channels in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons were evaluated by RT-PCR, immunofluorescence staining and patch clamp technique. The Nav1.1 expression was decreased by 50V injury. The Kv1.2, Kv1.4, Nav1.1 and Nav1.7 expression levels and Kv current densities were reduced after 110 V injury. Under the 220 V injury circumstance, Kv1.2, Nav1.1, Nav1.7 expression levels, Kv current densities and TTX-R Na(+) current densities were significantly decreased, while TTX-S Na(+) current densities increased. These findings suggest that the expression levels, subunit compositions, and electrophysiological properties of Kv and Nav channels are altered after electrical injury, and the severity of injury gets worse as injury voltage increases.

A Comparative Study on the Biological Characteristics of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells from Lipectomy and Liposuction.

Purposes To compare the biological behaviors of human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) isolated from adipose tissue by lipectomy and liposuction, with the purpose of providing the basis for clinical application. Methods The proliferation and apoptosis of ADSCs were analyzed by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. Cell migration was measured by a wound healing assay. An ELISA assay was used to evaluate paracrine functions. SOD and MDA were tested by xanthine oxidase and thiobarbituric acid reactions, respectively. In addition, we used a CCK-8, LDH assay and flow cytometry to analyze the proliferation and apoptosis of ADSCs treated with lidocaine or adrenaline. Results The viable ADSCs yield from liposuction was significantly lower than that from lipectomy, while the apoptosis of cells from liposuction was significantly higher than from lipectomy. The paracrine secretion of the two sources of ADSCs was highest when treated with 10−7 mol/L insulin and 10 ng/mL TGF-α, but there were no significant differences in VEGF, IL-6, IL-8 or HGF levels. The ADSCs from lipectomy migrated faster than those from liposuction, and SOD in the lipectomy group was higher than in the liposuction group, whereas MDA of the lipectomy group was lower than that of the liposuction group. The proliferation ADSCs treated with lidocaine or adrenaline was greatly decreased, while apoptosis was significantly increased, and cytotoxicity of lidocaine or adrenaline to ADSCs was dose-dependent. Conclusions Compared with ADSCs from liposuction, the ADSCs from lipectomy have better biological characteristics. Lidocaine and adrenaline decreased the viability of ADSCs, and their cytotoxicity to ADSCs was dose-dependent.