Objective:To explore significance of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)and N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)for diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome and its guidance of treatment.Methods:A total of 124 cases with definite organic heart disease and sudden respiratory distress syndrome (measurement group) received measurement of BNP and NT-proBNP to judge whether they suffered from heart failure or not.Another 110 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome but no receiving BNP and NT-proBNP measurement were en-rolled as no measurement control group.Relevant data,including diagnosis time,length of hospital stay,hospitali-zation cost and mortality rate etc,were collected in all patients.Results:Compared with no measurement control group,there were significant reductions in diagnosis time [(24.2±6.4)min vs.(16.3±5.2)min],length of hospi-tal stay [(12.5±3.5)d vs.(8.5±4.5)d]and mortality rate (8.18% vs.4.84%)in measurement group,P<0.05 all;there was no significant difference in mean hospitalization cost between two groups (P>0.05).Conclusion:Measurement of brain natriuretic peptide and N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide possesses important value for early diagnosis,elevating therapeutic effect and improving prognosis in patients with acute respiratory distress syn-drome.

Objective To investigate the effects of previous open nephrolithotomy on the technical features, outcomes and morbidities of subsequent percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Methods Ninety-eight patients who underwent PCNL from January 2006 to January 2011 were selected in this study. The 34 patients of them who had previous open nephrolithotomy on the same kidney were assigned as group A, and the other 64 patients who had no previous open surgery as group B. The data of operation time, blood transfusion quantity, residual stones rate, hospitalization time and time of tube evulsion were collected and compared between the two groups. Results There were no significant differences between the group A and B with respect to the mean operative time [(84.0±24.6) min vs. (94.0±22.7) min, t=1.372, P=0.177], hospitalization time [(6.5±1.1)days vs. (6.3±1.8)days, t=0.49, P=0.261], blood transfusion quantity [(82.9±10.6) ml vs. (85.0±11.8) ml, t=0.415, P=0.682], kidney and colostomy channels [single channel(70.6% vs. 75.0%), double channel (29.4% vs. 25.0%), χ2 =0.22, P=0.638] and residual stones rate (5% vs. 3%,χ2=0.42, P=0.282). Conclusions When PCNL is performed after previous open nephrolithotomy, there is no difference in success rate and morbidities.

Objective: To investigate the acquired drug-resistant genes and strains relationship in 40 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from burn patients. Methods: Forty strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from burn patients hospitalized in our burn department from January 2014 to December 2015 were selected, with 20 strains from each year. Kirby-Bauer paper disk diffusion method was used to detect sensitivity of the isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa to 9 kinds of antibiotics of cefotaxime, ceftazidime, cefepime, imipenem, meropenem, gentamicin, amikacin, ciprofloxacin, and levofloxacin. Polymerase chain reaction was applied to detect 9 kinds of acquired β-lactamase antibiotics-resistant genes, outer membrane porin protein oprD2 genes, 12 kinds of acquired aminoglycosides antibiotics-resistant genes, and 6 kinds of acquired disinfectant-resistant genes and genetic marker genes of mobile genetic elements. Among the above genes, positive expression genes were verified by DNA sequencing and comparison. Sequences of twenty-eight acquired drug-resistant genes of the above 40 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were analyzed by unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic means cluster analysis. Results: Forty strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were resistant to the above 9 kinds of antibiotics. Two kinds of acquired β-lactamase antibiotics-resistant genes of bla_TEM, bla_CARB, 5 kinds of acquired aminoglycosides antibiotics-resistant genes of aac(6′)-Ⅰb, aac(6′)-Ⅱ, ant(2″)-Ⅰ, ant(3″)-Ⅰ, and rmtB, and 3 kinds of acquired disinfectant-resistant genes and genetic marker genes of mobile genetic elements of qacE△1-sul1, merA, and intⅠ1were detected in 40 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with oprD2 gene deficiency. Forty strains aggregated obviously, with a total of 7 gene modes and 3 clones. Drug-resistant gene sequences of strains of number 2 to 4, 6 to 9, 11, 14, and 17 to 39 were similar and with close relationship. Drug-resistant gene sequences of number 12 and 13 strains were similar and with close relationship. Drug-resistant sequences of number 10 and 16 strains were similar and with close relationship. Conclusions Genes of bla_TEM, bla_CARB, aac(6′)-Ⅰb, aac(6′)-Ⅱ, ant(2″)-Ⅰ, rmtB, qacE△1-sul1, merA, and intⅠ1 were prevalent in these strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with oprD2 gene deficiency isolated from burn patients, which may play key roles in resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to β-lactamase, aminoglycoside, and quinolone antibiotics, and the drug-resistant phenotypes were in good coincidence with genotypes. Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from burn patients were with similar acquired drug-resistant genes and close relationship.

From June to November 2016, 5 patients with severe burns were admitted to our unit. Broad-spectrum antibiotic and fluconazole were used on patients as earlier empirical anti-infection therapy of bacteria and fungi. Seven to twenty-one days after injury, 5 patients developed fungal infection. Antifungal agents of caspofungin, voriconazole, and amphotericin B liposomewere were used according to the results of fungal culture, and the infected wounds were also treated with repeated debridement and dressing change. Multiple autologous skin grafts were performed after infection control of wounds. With the above antifungal infection treatment for 5 to 11 days, 2 patients′ condition tended to be stable, and no fungus was found in wound secretion after cultured for many times. The patients were discharged with wounds healed after 52 to 54 days′ hospital stay. Due to severe burns degree and or elder age, fungal infection aggravated and expanded to the trunk in the other 3 patients, then developed into burn sepsis, resulting in patients died of multiple organ failure secondary to sepsis.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of adult inpatients with gas burns in the Department of Burns of Hwa Mei Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as the author′s unit) , so as to provide evidence for the prevention of gas burn. Methods: Medical records of all inpatients with flame burns admitted to the author′s unit from January 2011 to December 2017 were collected. The percentage of adult inpatients with gas burns in total inpatients with flame burns in the same period, and their gender, age, injury season, accident place, burn severity, common compound injury, complication, population caliber, education, industry, as well as the pre-injury disease and prognosis of elderly inpatients with gas burns were retrospectively analyzed. In addition, the age, accident place, education, and industry of the floating population in the adult inpatients with gas burns were analyzed separately and compared with the total population of adult inpatients with gas burns in 7 years. Data were processed with chi-square test or Fisher′s exact probability test (Monte Carlo algorithm). Results: During the 7 years, 1 490 inpatients with flame burns were admitted to the author′s unit, among which 511 were adult inpatients with gas burns, accounting for 34.30%. The number of adult inpatients with gas burns increased gradually during the 7 years, but its percentage in the total inpatients with flame burns during the same period showed no significant difference (χ²=7.087, P>0.05). Among the 511 adult inpatients with gas burns (hereinafter referred to as the patients in this group), there were 315 males and 196 females, with a male/female ratio of 1.61 to 1.00, and the middle-aged patients were the most, up to 270 cases, accounting for 52.84%. The distribution of adult inpatients with gas burns during the 7 years was significantly different in gender and age (χ²=54.810, 27.832, P<0.01). Among the patients in this group, most were injured in summer, totally 251 cases, accounting for 49.12%, and the accident place was mainly at home, totally 388 cases, accounting for 75.93%. The distribution of adult inpatients with gas burns during the 7 years was significantly different in injury season (χ²=42.254, P<0.01), but not in accident place (χ²=6.782, P>0.05). The patients in this group were mainly with moderate burns (237 cases, accounting for 46.38%), and the distribution trend of burn severity of adult inpatients with gas burns was basically the same during the 7 years (χ²=19.680, P>0.05); 176 patients (34.44%) were accompanied by inhalation injury, and 30 patients (5.87%) were accompanied by blast injury of lung; post injury complications occurred in 20 patients (3.91%). In the elderly inpatients with gas burns, 44.44% (32/72) were accompanied by pre-injury basic diseases, and the proportion of death or unhealed reached 18.06% (13/72). Most of the patients in this group were permanent residents (358 cases, accounting for 70.06%) and received secondary education (304 cases, accounting for 59.49%), and the majority of them were engaged in manufacturing/construction (138 cases, accounting for 27.01%), self-employed business (90 cases, accounting for 17.61%), and catering (90 cases, accounting for 17.61%) industries. The distribution of adult inpatients with gas burns during the 7 years was significantly different in population caliber, education, and occupation (χ²=17.496, 29.898, 88.896, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Among the patients of this group, the floating population were mainly young (90 cases, accounting for 58.82%) and middle-aged (62 cases, accounting for 40.52%), with main accident place at home (97 cases, accounting for 63.40%), generally received secondary education (101 cases, accounting for 66.01%), and were mainly engaged in manufacturing/construction (71 cases, accounting for 46.41%), self-employed business (26 cases, accounting for 16.99%), and catering (20 cases, accounting for 13.07%) industries. Compared with the total adult inpatients with gas burns in 7 years, the floating population were younger, more injured in the workplace, and more concentrated in industry (χ²=42.924, 9.390, 27.819, P<0.01). Conclusions Gas burn was the leading injury cause of inpatients with flame burns in the author′s unit, which mainly occurred in summer and at home; the patients were mainly male, young and middle-aged, and permanent residents, most of which were with moderate burn, often accompanied by inhalation injury. Most of the patients were of secondary education, engaged in manufacturing/construction, self-employed business, and catering industries, among which the floating population were younger, more injured in the workplace, and more concentrated in industry. In order to prevent gas burn, we should pay more attention to the propaganda and education of gas safety among young and middle-aged men, floating population, retired old people and housewives, especially in summer, we should do a good job in gas safety inspection at home. In addition, we should urge enterprises to further strengthen the supervision of production safety.

As a result of the stimulation of proinflammatory mediators, circulating peripheral-blood mononuclear cells migrate into the wound area, and they differentiate into different phenotypes of macrophage to take different roles in healing process. Their phenotypes interchange under different microenvironments. The disturbance of cutaneous environment in diabetic patients has been shown to alter the quantity, morphology, and functions of the macrophages resulting in retardation of wound healing. Healing of intractable diabetic wound can be improved by the supplement of exogenous growth factors, which might improve healing process by regulating the phenotype of macrophage in intractable diabetic wound. This article reviews the relationship between intractable diabetic wound and macrophage to explore new methods of treating intractable diabetic wound.
Diabetes Mellitus ; immunology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Macrophages ; physiology ; Skin ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antibacterial activity of silver sulfadiazine (SD-Ag), mupirocin, and clotrimazole used alone or in combination against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from burn wounds.

METHODSEighteen MRSA isolates from wound excretion of 18 burn patients hospitalized in our unit from July to December 2011 were collected continuously and non-repetitively. (1) Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), 50% MIC (MIC50), and 90% MIC (MIC90) of SD-Ag, mupirocin, and clotrimazole used alone, those of SD-Ag and mupirocin used in combination, and those of SD-Ag, mupirocin, and clotrimazole used in combination to MRSA were determined by checkerboard agar dilution method. (2) Fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index was calculated to determine the combined effect of SD-Ag plus mupirocin, and SD-Ag plus mupirocin and clotrimazole. Synergy with FIC index less than or equal to 0.5 or additivity with FIC index more than 0.5 and less than or equal to 1.0 was regarded as effective, and indifference with FIC index more than 1.0 and less than or equal to 4.0 or antagonism with FIC index more than 4.0 was regarded as ineffective. The effective ratio was compared with overall ratio (assumed as 0) by unilateral binomial distribution test.

RESULTSThe MIC, MIC50, and MIC90 of SD-Ag, mupirocin, and clotrimazole used alone against 18 MRSA isolates were respectively 8, 8, 16 µg/mL; 2, 16, 64 µg/mL; 2, 2, 2 µg/mL. MIC of antimicrobial agents used in combination decreased from 3.1% to 50.0% as compared with that of individual agent used alone. Compared with those of single application of SD-Ag and mupirocin, MIC50 of SD-Ag and that of mupirocin both decreased 75.0%, and MIC90 of them decreased 87.5% when SD-Ag and mupirocin were used in combination. Compared with those of single application of SD-Ag, mupirocin, and clotrimazole, MIC50 of SD-Ag, mupirocin, and clotrimazole respectively decreased 75.0%, 87.5%, and 50.0%; MIC90 of them respectively decreased 87.5%, 96.9%, and 50.0% when SD-Ag, mupirocin, and clotrimazole were used in combination. Among the 18 MRSA isolates, the combined effect of SD-Ag and mupirocin was synergic in 9 isolates, additive in 7 isolates, indifferent in 2 isolates, and antagonistic in 0 isolate; the combined effect of SD-Ag, mupirocin, and clotrimazole was additive in 16 isolates, indifferent in 2 isolates, and antagonistic in 0 isolate. There were statistically significant differences between effective ratio and overall ratio of 18 MRSA isolates treated with combined antimicrobial agents (P values all above 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSFor burn wounds at middle and late stages infected with Staphylococcus aureus or Staphylococcus aureus and Fungus, low dose of SD-Ag or combination of above-mentioned antimicrobial agents can effectively control infection and decrease the adverse effect of antimicrobial agents on wound healing.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Burns ; microbiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Clotrimazole ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Middle Aged ; Mupirocin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Silver Sulfadiazine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Young Adult