ObjectivesTo study the relationship between the allele frequencies and genotype distribution of transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-β1) gene promoter polymorphisms in Chinese patients with heptocellular carcinoma(HCC),and to analyze the association of the serum levels and genotype of TGF-β1 with HCC.MethodsThe polymorphisms of TGF-β gene,including polymorphisms of TGF-[β1 gene -800G/A、-509C/T,were analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)methods in 102 patients with HCC and 110 healthy controls,and the serum level of TGF-β1 was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ResultsThe HCC group showed significantly higher serum levels of TGF-β1 than control group [(51.06 ± 9.74)μg/L,(22.12 ± 8.67 )μg/L,t=22.884, P＜0.01], The distributions of TGF-β gene -800G/A polymorphisms were not different significantly between HCC group and control group, but TGF-β1 -509C/T gene polymorphism was significantly different. The relative risk suffered from HCC of C allele was 1.822 times of the T allele (OR=1.822,95 ％CI:1.238-2.682,t=22.884,P＜0.01), the serum level of TGF-β1 T allele carriers was significantly higher than that of no carriers [(53.52:±:10.07)μg/L,(43.57±9.89)μ.g/L,t=3.898, P＜0.01]. ConclusionTGF-β1 gene -509C/T polymorphism is associated with HCC, and T allele may be a risk factor for HCC, in which the TGF-β1 T allele carriers may have increased risk by enhancing the TGF-β1 expression in the pathogenesis of HCC.

Under certain condition, wet cement can cause skin chemical burns, which belongs to alkaline burns. As the symptoms are insidious in onset, the patients may be initially unaware of the injury until several hours later. It often causes full-thickness burns especially in knees, the lower limbs, and ankles. The prevalence of wet cement burns may be hugely underestimated. This article reviews the definition, occurrence, progress of injury and pathogenesis, clinical characteristics and diagnosis, and treatment and prevention of wet cement skin burns, in order to promote its prevention.

On 17th June 2017, a 50 years old man with refractory gout was admitted in our hospital. During the treatment, he was accompanied by intermittent fever (39 to 40 ℃) of unknown origin for 60 days and gastrointestinal bleeding, with difficult wound repair. After comprehensive treatment of thorough debridement, vacuum sealing drainage, skin graft, skin flap repair, and drug administration, the patient was discharged fully recovered on post hospitalization day 104.

Marjolin's ulcer is a rare malignancy arising from various forms of scars, mainly an old scar resulted from burn. The second most common origin is malignant degeneration arising from tissue within osteomyelitis fistulae. Not uncommonly, the lesions may arise secondary to ulcers due to venous insufficiency or pressure sores. The pathology of the majority of Marjolin's ulcer is a well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The exact reason for an ulcer which undergoes a malignant transformation is unknown. The pathologic diagnosis is the gold standard. Surgery remains the preferred treatment after diagnosis is reached. Wide surgical excision with margins up to 2-3 cm has been suggested. The necessity of whether lymphatic dissection should be executed, or radiotherapy and chemotherapy following surgery is still in dispute. This article deals with the etiology of Marjolin's ulcer and its pathological grading, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and prevention, with a hope to provide some useful clinical information.
Burns ; complications ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; etiology ; pathology ; surgery ; Cicatrix ; Humans ; Lymphatic Vessels ; Pressure Ulcer ; pathology ; surgery ; Prognosis ; Skin Neoplasms ; etiology ; pathology ; surgery ; Skin Ulcer

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of rectangular scar flap combined with autologous thinning split-thickness skin graft for repairing type Ⅳ axillary scar contracture deformity after extensive burns.Methods:From January 2015 to January 2019, patients with type Ⅳ axillary scar contracture deformity after extensive burns were admitted to the Department of Skin Wound Repair Center of Wuhan Third Hospital. Rectangular scar flaps were used to reconstruct the axillary area, Y-shaped incision was made on the short side to release the scar, the resulting defects after flap formation were repaired with autologous split-thickness skin grafts. The hyperplasia and contracture of the grafted skin, the size of rectangular scar flap, the appearance of axilla, the growth of residual axillary hair, and the range of motion of shoulder joint were observed during the follow-up of 18 months to 3 years.Results:A total of 6 cases were selected, including 2 males and 4 females, aged from 18 to 58 years, with the duration of scar contracture deformity ranging from 1 to 23 years. The rectangular scar flaps of all 6 patients survived. At the follow-up of 18 months to 3 years, the axillary scar hyperplasia and the skin graft contracture were mild. At 18 months after operation, the function of shoulder joint was restored with 180° shoulder abduction and lifting. Axillary appearance and residual axillary hair growth were satisfactory, the self-care ability and the quality of life of patients improved.Conclusions:Rectangular scar flap combined with autologous thinning split-thickness skin graft is a good method for repairing type Ⅳ axillary scar contracture in patients with lack of autologous skin sources for extensive burns.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of rectangular scar flap combined with autologous thinning split-thickness skin graft for repairing type Ⅳ axillary scar contracture deformity after extensive burns.Methods:From January 2015 to January 2019, patients with type Ⅳ axillary scar contracture deformity after extensive burns were admitted to the Department of Skin Wound Repair Center of Wuhan Third Hospital. Rectangular scar flaps were used to reconstruct the axillary area, Y-shaped incision was made on the short side to release the scar, the resulting defects after flap formation were repaired with autologous split-thickness skin grafts. The hyperplasia and contracture of the grafted skin, the size of rectangular scar flap, the appearance of axilla, the growth of residual axillary hair, and the range of motion of shoulder joint were observed during the follow-up of 18 months to 3 years.Results:A total of 6 cases were selected, including 2 males and 4 females, aged from 18 to 58 years, with the duration of scar contracture deformity ranging from 1 to 23 years. The rectangular scar flaps of all 6 patients survived. At the follow-up of 18 months to 3 years, the axillary scar hyperplasia and the skin graft contracture were mild. At 18 months after operation, the function of shoulder joint was restored with 180° shoulder abduction and lifting. Axillary appearance and residual axillary hair growth were satisfactory, the self-care ability and the quality of life of patients improved.Conclusions:Rectangular scar flap combined with autologous thinning split-thickness skin graft is a good method for repairing type Ⅳ axillary scar contracture in patients with lack of autologous skin sources for extensive burns.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical manifestation, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with Marjolin's ulcers.

METHODSThe clinical materials of 21 patients with Marjolin's ulcers hospitalized from January 2007 to January 2013 were retrospectively analyzed, including age, gender, injury causes, duration time of primary disease in developing Marjolin's ulcer, duration of ulcer, lesion site, ulcer area, symptoms and signs of ulcer region, bacterial culture results before operation, histopathological type, grade of carcinoma cell differentiation, depth of invasion, treatment, and outcome.

RESULTS(1) The age of 21 patients at the time of diagnosis of Marjolin's ulcers was 19-74 (47 ± 13) years, and the ratio of male to female was nearly 0.9:1.0. (2) The main primary lesions were flame burns and high temperature liquid scald, respectively occurred in 12 cases (57.1%) and 7 cases (33.3%). The time for development of Marjolin's ulcers from primary injury was 10-56 (40 ± 14) years. (3) Ulceration on top of scar lasted for longer than one year in 12 patients (57.1%). (4) Lesion site was mainly located in the limbs in 13 patients (61.9%), and on head and face in 6 patients (28.6%), respectively. (5) Ulcer area ranged 0.25-74.25 (39 ± 25) cm(2). Foul excretion, bleeding, intensified pain, and gradual enlargement of ulceration were observed in the lesion of most patients. (6) Bacterial culture of wound excretion before operation showed positive results in 16 patients (76.2%).

RESULTSof bacterial culture of blood were negative in all patients. (7) Pathological examination revealed squamous cell carcinoma in 20 cases and basal cell carcinoma in 1 case, and mostly of high or medium differentiation. Cancer cells in nearly 40% patients had invaded the subcutaneous tissue or deeper area. (8) All patients were treated by surgery, among them autologous skin grafting was done after excision of lesion in 11 patients, and in 5 patients the defects were closed with skin flaps after excision of lesion, and in 5 patients limbs harboring the lesion were amputated. Twelve patients (57.1%) received postoperative rehabilitation treatment. Two patients with pulmonary metastasis received chemotherapy. (9) Most of the flaps and skin grafts survived well after surgery, and a few cases with failure of skin grafting or transplantation of flaps underwent skin grafts again. Patients were followed up for 6 months to 5 years, in 4 patients recurrence occurred after surgery, and 2 of them died. The other patients survived without recurrence.

CONCLUSIONSSquamous cell carcinoma was the most common pathological type of Marjolin's ulcer admitted to our unit. A recurrent ulcer with long course should be considered as Marjolin's ulcer, and it should be scrutinized pathologically. Currently, surgery remains the optimal treatment for Marjolin's ulcer. Regular follow-up should be carried out after resection of the lesion to detect carcinoma recurrence and metastasis.

Burns ; complications ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; etiology ; pathology ; surgery ; Cicatrix ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin Neoplasms ; etiology ; pathology ; surgery ; Skin Transplantation ; Skin Ulcer ; etiology ; pathology ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome

Evaluating the consistency of herb injectable formulations could improve their product quality and clinical safety, particularly concerning the composition and content levels of trace ingredients. Panax notoginseng Saponins Injection (PNSI), widely used in China for treating acute cardiovascular diseases, contains low-abundance (10%-25%) and trace saponins in addition to its five main constituents (notoginsenoside R₁, ginsenoside Rg₁, ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Rb₁, and ginsenoside Rd). This study aimed to establish a robust analytical method and assess the variability in trace saponin levels within PNSI from different vendors and formulation types. To achieve this, a liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method employing multiple ions monitoring (MIM) was developed. A "post-column valve switching" strategy was implemented to eliminate highly abundant peaks (NR₁, Rg₁, and Re) at 26 min. A total of 51 saponins in PNSI were quantified or relatively quantified using 18 saponin standards, with digoxin as the internal standard. This study evaluated 119 batches of PNSI from seven vendors, revealing significant variability in trace saponin levels among different vendors and formulation types. These findings highlight the importance of consistent content in low-abundance and trace saponins to ensure product control and clinical safety. Standardization of these ingredients is crucial for maintaining the quality and effectiveness of PNSI in treating acute cardiovascular diseases.
Ginsenosides ; Saponins ; Chemometrics ; Panax notoginseng ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry