OBJECTIVETo investigate the bacterial flora and their drug resistance in hospitalized burn patients on tropical islands.

METHODSRetrospective study was carried out to analyze pathogenic microorganisms and their drug resistance characteristics in 392 burn patients hospitalized during 2000-2005.

RESULTS(1) Totally 671 strains of bacteria were isolated, among which Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Aerobacter cloacae and Acinetobacter species were predominant, but the isolation rate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was declining compared with that in 1990's. (2) The resistance rate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to imipenem and cefepime was 32.2% and 36.7% , respectively, while that to other antibiotics was above 80%. (3) Among 141 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, 89 strains (63.1%) of MRSA were isolated, and none of them were resistant to Vancomycin.

CONCLUSIONPseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Aerobacter cloacae and Acinetobacter species were predominant in tropical islands. The species of the pathogens are changing . The drug resistance rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are rather high.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Burns ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Middle Aged ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Retrospective Studies ; Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Tropical Climate ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo sum up the clinical experience in the reparation of burn wounds with different types of skin flaps in patients with severe electrical injury.

METHODSFree skin flap, axile island flap with vascular pedicle and muscular skin flap were employed to repair 64 wounds in 49 cases.

RESULTSSkin flap necrosis happened in 2 cases, congestion and necrosis at the edge of skin flaps in 4 cases, and complete survival of the skin flaps and primary healing of the wounds in the remaining cases.

CONCLUSIONReparation of wounds with proper skin flaps according to the degree of the electrical injury is effective and reliable, which might be beneficial to the prevention of necrobiosis and the infection in deep tissue.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Burns, Electric ; surgery ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surgical Flaps

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of Modified Taohong Siwu Decoction (MTSD) in treating pediatric intractable nephropathy (PIN). Methods: Ninety-five patients with PIN were divided into 2 groups at random. The 60 patients in the treated group were treated with MTSD and the 35 patients in the control group were treated with heparin. The clinical therapeutic effect and levels of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto-prostacyclin F1α (6-keto-PGF1α) before and after treatment were observed. Results: The total effective rate in the treated group was 81.7%, which was similar to that in the control group (80.0%, P>0.05). The levels of TXB2 and TXB2/6-keto-PGF1α ratio were higher in both groups of the patients as compared with those of the healthy control (P<0.01). After treatment, the two criteria were significantly improved in the two treated groups, as compared with those before treatment, the difference was significant (P<0.01), while in comparison between the MTSD treated group and the control group, no significant difference was found (P>0.05). Conclusion: MTSD has good effect in treating PIN, it could improve the metabolic unbalance of thromboxane and prostacyclin.

OBJECTIVETo review the long-term clinical effect of composite transplantation of allogeneic acellular dermal matrix (ADM) and split thickness skin autograft (STSG).

METHODSNineteen patients with 34 wounds transplanted with allogeneic ADM combined with STSG who were hospitalized from March 2001 to October 2008 were enrolled as composite transplantation group (CT). Another 9 patients with 11 wounds transplanted with STSG admitted within the same time frame were enrolled as control group (C). All patients were followed up for longer than 2 years. Color, evenness, texture, contracture, sensation, and complications of transplanted skin were assessed using a modified Manchester Scar Scale (1-4 scores, the higher the score, the poorer the situation). The scar formation on skin donor sites was assessed by the Vancouver Scar Scale. Patients' degree of satisfaction and health status during the transplantation period were investigated in the form of questionnaire. The skin tissue structure of 4 patients was observed with histological method. The joint range of motion was assessed by the neutral position before and after operation and at follow-up. Data were processed with nonparametric test, chi-square test or t test.

RESULTS(1) The evenness, contracture, and texture of transplanted skin in CT group scored (1.6 ± 0.5), (1.8 ± 0.8), and (1.5 ± 0.8), respectively, which were significantly lower than those in C group [(2.0 ± 0.7), (2.2 ± 0.9), and (2.3 ± 0.7), with Z value respectively -2.058, -2.220, -2.323, P values all below 0.05]. Scores of color, sensation, and complications of transplanted skin in two groups were close to each other (with Z value respectively -0.628, -0.428, -2.520, P values all above 0.05). (2) Mild scar formation was observed in one of the skin donor sites in CT group. (3) Information as obtained from questionnaire showed no statistical difference between two groups in pinching, itching, and satisfaction degree (with χ(2) value respectively 0.187, 0.019, 2.628, P values all above 0.05). (4) Nerve fibers were seen in hand tissue 2 years after operation. ADM did not induce severe inflammatory responses in the site of grafting. (5) Eleven joints in CT group recovered or improved in function; while the other two joints required secondary surgery. Obvious contracture was observed in the two joints in C group.

CONCLUSIONSAllogeneic ADM combined with STSG transplantation prevents scar contracture and has obvious effect in improving function and appearance. There is no problem in regard to safety for its existence in either adult or children.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Burns ; surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dermis ; transplantation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Skin, Artificial ; Time ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo describe an operative method for the repair of electric burn wound in the upper limbs with lateral intercostal perforator-based pedicled flap, and to observe its clinical effect.

METHODSIntercostal artery perforator-based pedicled abdominal flap with the blood supply originating from the lateral perforator branches of the 7th-10th intercostal arteries were used to repair the wounds of 6 patients with burn wounds in elbows, forearm, wrists and palms. The pedicles were (16. 0 cm x 12. 0 cm) - (9. 0 cm x 7.0 cm) in area, and the pedicles were severed 18 to 21 days after the operation. The survival and the appearance of the flaps were observed after operation.

RESULTSThe procedure was easy and safe, and there was reliable and adequate blood supply in the lateral intercostal perforator-based pedicled flap. All the flaps survived in 5 patients, except marginal necrosis (3.5 cm x 2. 0 cm) was found in the distal portion of flap because flap cutting exceeded the paraumbilical line. The appearance was satisfactory after operation.

CONCLUSIONThis flap is suitable for the repair of deep wounds in hands, forearms, and elbows.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Arm Injuries ; surgery ; Burns, Electric ; surgery ; Child ; Hand Injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Intercostal Muscles ; blood supply ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Thoracic Arteries ; transplantation ; Upper Extremity ; injuries ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo present the clinical application of composite graft of acellular allo-dermis matrix (ADM) with thin auto-microskin on burn wound.

METHODS8 inpatients with 18 full thickness skin burn wounds were transplanted with allo-ADM after eschar was excised, then the auto-microskin and allo-human skin were covered on the area of the matrix, the wound where no allo-ADM grafting were covered as control groups only with auto-microskin and allo-human skin. The area of donor to wound is 1:5 - 1:8.

RESULTSSurvived rate of 18 pieces composite skin that allo-ADM with auto-microskin were grafted were 94%. After following up for 3 to 13 months, the skins of complex grifting had well elastic and smooth texture compared to auto-microskin grafted, they appeared less cicatrisation and ulceration. 3 months after operation, it was indicated by histological examination that tightknit the epithelial-dermal conjunction and epidermal papilla structure could be identified in the allo-ADM skin and there were orderly collagenous fibres, but scar skin structure was observed in that auto-microskin grifted area.

CONCLUSIONThe graft effectiveness of allo-ADM and auto-microskin was better than that of auto-microskin, and this method could be used on major deep burn wound healing.

Adult ; Burns ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Tissue Donors ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the application of an improved method of hepatic vein occlusion with Satinsky clamp when resecting the liver tumor involving second hepatic portal.

METHODSFrom January 2003 to December 2010, there were totally 330 patients with liver tumor admitted, who underwent liver resection with Pringle maneuver plus hepatic vein occlusion with Satinsky clamp. Data regarding the intra-operative and post-operative course of the patients were analyzed. There were 245 male and 85 female patients, with a mean age of (50 ± 11) years. The diameter of tumor was (9 ± 6) cm. Among the 330 patients, there were 271 patients with viral hepatitis B, 215 patients with liver cirrhosis; 321 patients were in Child class A of liver function and 9 in class B. Pringle maneuver plus hepatic vein occlusion with Satinsky clamp was used to occlude the blood flow in the liver resection. The liver transection was performed with clamp-crushing technique.

RESULTSHepatic vein occlusion with Satinsky clamp was successful in all 330 patients. The operation time was (132 ± 29) minutes, while (7 ± 3) minutes for dissecting hepatic vein and (22 ± 7) minutes for inflow blood occlusion. The blood loss in operation was (480 ± 265) ml, with 20% of patients receiving blood transfusion. No patient had large hemorrhage and air embolism due to hepatic vein laceration. No patient died in the perioperative period. The complications included 31 patients of pleural effusion, 14 patients of seroperitoneum, 10 patients of biliary fistula, 2 patients of massive blood loss during liver resection and 2 patients of re-bleeding after operation.

CONCLUSIONThe method of hepatic vein occlusion with Satinsky clamp was safe and effective.

Adult ; Female ; Hepatic Veins ; surgery ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surgical Instruments ; Therapeutic Occlusion

The clinical throat swab specimen of an imported suspected case of influenza A (H1N1) was detec ted with real-time PCR, RT-PCR and subsequently confirmed by gene sequencing. The presence of influ enza A (H1N1) virus confirmed the first case with A (H1N1) infection in Mainland China.
China ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza, Human ; virology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny

Objective: To investigate hypertriglyceridemia and hepatomegaly caused by Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus (FSS) and Schisandra chinensis Fructus (FSC) oils in mice. Methods: Mice were orally administered a single dose of Schisandrae Fructus oils. Serum and hepatic triglyceride (TG), triglyceride transfer protein (TTP), apolipoprotein B48 (Apo B48), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), alanine aminotransfease (ALT) and liver index were measured at 6-120 h post-dosing. Results: FSS and FSC oil caused time and dose-dependent increases in serum and hepatic TG levels, with maximum increases in the liver (by 297% and 340%) at 12 h post-dosing and serum (244% and 439%) at 24-h post-dosing, respectively. Schisandrae Fructus oil treatments also elevated the levels of serum TTP by 51% and 63%, Apo B48 by 152% and 425%, and VLDL by 67% and 38% in mice, respectively. FSS and FSC oil treatments also increased liver mass by 53% and 55% and HGF by 106% and 174%, but lowered serum ALT activity by 38% and 22%, respectively. Fenofibrate pre/ co-treatment attenuated the FSS and FSC oil-induced elevation in serum TG levels by 41% and 49% at 48 h post-dosing, respectively, but increased hepatic TG contents (by 38% and 33%, respectively) at 12 h post-dosing. Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence to support the establishment of a novel mouse model of hypertriglyceridemia by oral administration of FSS oil (mainly increasing endogenous TG) and FSC oil (mainly elevating exogenous TG).

INTRODUCTIONThe current metastatic category (M) of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a "catch-all" classification, covering a heterogeneous group of tumors ranging from potentially curable to incurable. The aim of this study was to design an M categorization system that could be applied in planning the treatment of NPC with synchronous metastasis.

METHODSA total of 505 NPC patients diagnosed with synchronous metastasis at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between 2000 and 2009 were involved. The associations of clinical variables, metastatic features, and a proposed M categorization system with overall survival (OS) were determined by using Cox regression model.

RESULTSMultivariate analysis showed that Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) N category (N1-3/N0), number of metastatic lesions (multiple/single), liver involvement (yes/no), radiotherapy to primary tumor (yes/no), and cycles of chemotherapy (>4/≤4) were independent prognostic factors for OS. We defined the following subcategories based on liver involvement and the number of metastatic lesions: M1a, single lesion confined to an isolated organ or location except the liver; M1b, single lesion in the liver and/or multiple lesions in any organs or locations except the liver; and M1c, multiple lesions in the liver. Of the 505 cases, 74 (14.7%) were classified as M1a, 296 (58.6%) as M1b, 134 (26.5%) as M1c, and 1 was not specified. The three M1 subcategories showed significant difference in OS [M1b vs. M1a, hazard ratio (HR) = 1.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.16-2.48, P = 0.007; M1c vs. M1a, HR = 2.64, 95% CI = 1.75-3.98, P < 0.001].

CONCLUSIONSWe developed an M categorization system based on the independent factors related to the prognosis of patients with metastatic NPC. This system may be helpful to further optimize individualized care for NPC patients.

Carcinoma ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis