Enteral Nutrition ; Humans ; Infection Control ; methods ; Probiotics ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Stress Disorders, Traumatic ; immunology ; therapy

When I started my career as a burn doctor, I looked over all those chapters dealing with wound healing wishing desperately to help me understand the healing process and mechanism of wound. Whereas is that the whole picture of wound healing? Decades have passed; we are still following these protocols. Do we really have nothing better to do with wound healing? When I was asked to write this comment, I was thinking that we should think high and wide in facing wound healing.
Burns ; therapy ; Humans ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of tenascin-C (Tn-C) in keloid and hyperplastic scar (HS).

METHODSTissue samples were harvested from 10 patients with keloid and 10 with HS (6 - 10 months) and from the skin of 5 adult healthy volunteers. The expression of Tn-C in these samples was determined with immunohistochemistry method.

RESULTSThere was scarce expression of Tn-C in the skin tissue in adult healthy volunteers, and it was only present in the dermal papillae at the dermis epidermis conjunctions and partly in the blood vessels and skin appendages adjacent to the basement membrane. There was enhanced expression of Tn-C in the dermal scar tissue and skin appendages in both keloid and HS, especially in keloid, which exhibited a diffused pattern in the tissue. When compared with that in normal skin, the Tn-C expression in the normal skin adjacent to the keloid was enhanced markedly, but not in the normal skin near HS tissue.

CONCLUSIONThere was increased Tn-C expression in keloid and HS (6 - 10 months).

Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keloid ; metabolism ; Male ; Skin ; chemistry ; Tenascin ; analysis

Various skin defects resulting from mechanical injury, burns, chronic ulcers, and resection of tumor etc. are very common in clinic. The traditional treatment measure, such as grafting of autologous split-thickness skin remains the gold standard. However, its limitations are obvious, such as shortage of donor sites, creation of new injury, and scar formation. To realize regenerative or scarless repair of tissue defects has always been the dream of human being. The advent of tissue engineered skin (TES) provides an ideal access to tissue regeneration. After decades of development, several kinds of TES products have been developed and used in clinic, with promising effects. However, a large number of basic scientific problems regarding TES, as well as difficulties in translation of basic research to bedside should be taken into serious consideration. This article presents a comprehensive overview of strategies of construction of TES, the role of TES in regenerative wound repair, and its opportunities and challenges.
Humans ; Regenerative Medicine ; Skin ; injuries ; Skin, Artificial ; Tissue Engineering ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of Tenascin-C mRNA in keloids and hypertrophic Total RNA was isolated from normal adult skin. A cDNA fragment (base 5941-6481bp) of the scars.

METHODSfull-length human Tenascin-C cDNA was synthesized by polymerase chain reaction and subcloned in pGEM-T-easy. Dioxygen-labeled anti-sense and sense probes were synthesized by using a Sp6/T7 RNA synthesis kit in the present of Dig-UTP in vitro. The samples were taken from keloids in 10, hypertrophic scars in 10 and normal adult skin in 5. The hybridization was performed with 4% paraformaldehyde-fixed and wax-embedded sections to detect the Tenascin-C mRNA.

RESULTSThe Tenascin-C mRNA was negative in the normal adult epidermis and weakly located in the fibroblasts of the papillary dermis and the epidermal adnexa. In all of the 10 keloid specimens, the Tenascin-C mRNA was positive throughout the epidermis and widely distributed in the dermis included in the fibroblasts, endothelial cells and epidermal adnexa. In the specimens of the 3 hypertrophic scars,the Tenascin-C mRNA was also positive in the epidermis, but in the other 7 cases, it became negative. In the dermis of the hypertrophic scar,the Tenascin-C mRNA was weaker than that in the keloid, but stronger than that in the normal skin.

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of Tenascin-C mRNA is markedly enhanced in the keloids.

Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Keloid ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Tenascin ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on the mortality of the patients with severe burns.

METHODSIn a prospective multi-center randomized clinical trial, 207 adult patients with severe burns were enrolled in the study, and they were randomly divided into treatment (T, with subcutaneous injection of rhGH) and placebo control (C, with subcutaneous injection of same amount of isotonic saline) groups. The mortality, incidence of hyperglycemia and sepsis in the two groups were observed.

RESULTSThe mortality rate in T group was 0.89% as compared with 5.26% in the C group (P >0.05). Hyperglycemia (blood glucose level over 10 mmol/L) was present in 36.61% of patients in T group but 18.95% in C group (P <0.01). There was no difference in the incidence of sepsis between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe application of rhGH in appropriate dosage in adult patients with severe burns could be safe, but blood glucose level should be monitored during the administration.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Glucose ; Burns ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Female ; Human Growth Hormone ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pregnancy ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of hydroxyethyl starch (HES 130/ 0.4, 60 g/L) in resuscitation during shock stage of burns.

METHODSSixty-six burn patients who were admitted to hospital within 2 hours after burn injury requiring fluid resuscitation were enrolled into this study, and they were randomized into HES( n = 33, with HES as a component of fluid resuscitation) and plasma (P, n = 33, with plasma as a component of fluid resuscitation) groups. HES or plasma was given as colloid within 48 postburn hours (PBH), and only albumin [( 111 +/- 4) , ( 105 +/- 5 ) g for each group] were given to the patients during 3 to 7 postburn days (PBD). Heart rate, blood pressure, central venous pressure (CVP) , urine output per hour were measured, gain/loss of body fluid during the first and second 24 PBH were recorded, serum total protein, albumin, hemoglobin( Hb) , prothrombin time (PT) , fibrinogen; platelet ( PLT) , as well as liver and renal function, allergy and bleeding tendency were determined and observed at corresponding time-points.

RESULTSThere were no obvious differences in heart rate, blood pressure, CVP and urine output per hour within 24 PBH between the two groups (P > 0.05). Also there was no difference in gain/loss of body fluid during the first and second 24 PBH. The content of hemoglobin on 1 ,3, 7,14 PBD ,and the PT, the content of fibrinogen, the number of PLT on 1,3,14 PBD also exhibited no difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). The serum contents of total protein and albumin in HES group were [(31 +/- 3) g/L, (30 +/- 3)g/L ] on 1 PBD, and [(20.4 +/- 3.6) g/L, (18.4 +/-2.3) g/L] on 3 PBD, which were obviously lower than those in P group [(45 +/- 4) g/L, (39 +/- 3) g/L on 1 PBD, and 1 (24.5 +/- 4.3) g/L, (21.3 +/- 3.9) g/L) on 3 PBD, (P <0. 01). Though the serum content of albumin on 7 PBD was similar in the two groups (P > 0.05), the serum total protein in HES group (40 +/- 4) g/L was markedly lower than that in P group [(45 +/- 4) g/L, P < 0.01] . Within 7 PBD, no abnormal bleeding was found in the two groups, and the liver function and renal function were similar. There were 4 cases showing allergic reaction in plasma group while none in HES group.

CONCLUSIONNew type of HES can partially substitute plasma and be used in fluid resuscitation for burn patients. However, plasma protein replenishment should still be emphasized.

Adult ; Burns ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Resuscitation ; methods ; Shock ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo isolate MSCs from adult human bone marrow cells and to induce them into adipocytes.

METHODSMSCs were isolated from adult human bone marrow aspirated by Percoll and expanded in L-DMEM. The surface antigen of MSCs, CD14, CD34, CD45, CD44, VLA-1, HLA-DR and cell cycle were analysed on a FACScan flow cytometer. MSCs were cultured in adipogenisis inducing medium including insulin, 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine, indomethine and dexamethasone for 7 days and stained with Oil Red O.

RESULTSMSCs grew as adherent cells and expanded more than 10 passages. They were positive for CD44 and negative for CD14, CD34, CD45, HLA-DR. The expression of VLA-1 was weak. After 7 days of adipocyte inducing, about 85%of the cells displayed accumulation of lipid vacuoles, as detected by Red Oil O.

CONCLUSIONMSCs isolated and cultured from adult human bone marrow can be induced to adipogenisis committed differentiation.

Adipocytes ; physiology ; Adult ; Antigens, CD34 ; analysis ; Bone Marrow Cells ; physiology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Separation ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; HLA-DR Antigens ; analysis ; Humans ; Hyaluronan Receptors ; analysis ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors ; analysis ; Stem Cells ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the abnormalities of human epiderm in keloids and hypertrophic scars.

METHODSBiopsies from ten untreated keloids (duration of disease 3 - 30 years) and ten hypertrophic scars (duration of disease 6 - 10 months) and five normal adult skin specimens. Total RNA was isolated from normal adult skin. A cDNA fragment (base 5941 - 6481 bp) of the full-length human Tenascin-C cDNA was synthesized by polymerase chain reaction and subcloned in pGEM-T-easy. Dioxigen-labeled anti-sense and sense probes were synthesized by using a Sp6/T7 in vitro RNA synthesis kit in the present of Dig-UTP. In situ hybridization was performed on 4% paraformaldehyde-fixed and wax-embedded sections of keloids and hypertrophic scars. NBT-NCIP was used in color detection. Immunohistochemical procedure. The sections were incubated with antibodies (anti-Tenascin-C, anti-CK-16 and anti-Ki-67). Ultrasensitive Streptavidin Peroxidase staining was performed following established procedures.

RESULTSThe study show that the proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes in keloids and hypertrophic scars is very clear. The expressions of Tenascin-C mRNA in keloids epidermal keratinocytes markedly increased in contrast with epidermal keratinocytes of hypertrophic scars and adult skin. The CK-16 and Ki-67 stainings significantly enhanced in the epidermal keratinocytes of keloids and hypertrophic scars.

CONCLUSIONSThe different expressions of Tenascin-C, CK-16 and Ki-67 among normal adult skin, keloids and hypertrophic scars show the abnormalities of epidermal keratinocytes proliferation and differentiation in keloids and hypertrophic scars.

Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Epidermis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Keloid ; metabolism ; pathology ; Keratins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ki-67 Antigen ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Tenascin ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of early enteral nutrition with synbiotics on the plasma endotoxin level, the nutritional state, the inflammatory response and the incidence of infectious complications in severely burned patients.

METHODSRandomized double blind and control method was employed im the study. Forty severely burned patients were randomly divided into A and B groups with 20 in each group. The patients in group A received early enteral nutrition with synbiotics including four kinds of lactic acid bacteria and four kinds of fibers, while those in group B received early enteral nutrition with synbiotics including only four kinds of fibers. The patients with 80% to 280% coefficient unit burned surface(UBS) were further divided into A1 (n = 10) and B1 (n = 11) groups. The plasma endotoxin level in group A and B was determined dynamically on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 10th, 14th, and 21st postburn days (PBD), and its abnormal rate in both groups was statistically analyzed in correlation with the normal endotoxin level. meanwhile, the mortality, the incidence of infectious complications and the blood bacterial culture results were compared between the two groups. The plasma levels of IL-1, IL-6 and prognostic inflammatory nutrition index (PINI) were also determined at the above time points.

RESULTSThe plasma endotoxin level in group A (37.9 +/- 5.4) ng/L was evidently lower than that in group B (59.1 +/- 7.9) ng/L (P < 0.05) on 10 PBD. The abnormal rate of plasma endotoxin in group A (36.7%) was evidently lower than that (49.2%) in group B (P < 0.05). Blood culture was positive in 3 patients in group A, and 5 in group B. There was no obvious difference in the incidence of infectious complication between the two groups. Two patients died in group A and 1 group B. There was no obvious difference in plasma IL-1 level between A1 and B1 groups at different time points. The plasma IL-6 level in A1 group in 10th and 14th PBD was evidently lower than that in B1 group (P < 0.05). The PINI in A1 group on the 10 PBD was remarkably lower than that in B1 group.

CONCLUSIONEarly enteral nutrition with synbiotics was helpful in decreasing inflammatory stress response and lowering the plasma endotoxin level. Enteral supplementation of synbiotics might be beneficial to the controlling of burn infection.

Adult ; Burns ; therapy ; Dietary Fiber ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Endotoxins ; blood ; Enteral Nutrition ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa ; drug effects ; Male ; Probiotics ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use