Objective:To explore the effect of self-made static progressive braces in the stepwise treatment of hand flexion dysfunction caused by scar contracture after burn injury.Methods:This study was a retrospective observational study. From January 2022 to March 2024, the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University admitted twenty-nine patients who met the inclusion criteria and used the self-made static progressive braces for stepwise treatment of hand flexion dysfunction caused by scar contracture, including 23 males and 6 females, aged 16 to 55 years. The depth of burn on the back of the hand was deep partial-thickness to full-thickness. The self-made static progressive brace referred to the self-made static progressive joint distractor and the self-made static progressive hand flexion distractor. The stepwise treatment was adopted. In the first stage, in-hospital treatment for 2 to 4 weeks was selected. The treatment contents included conventional rehabilitation training and training on the application of the self-made joint distractors. When the active flexion range of motion of the metacarpophalangeal joint was ≥60°, the second stage of treatment was carried out, that is, two weeks of home remote rehabilitation treatment. The treatment contents included individualized exercise training such as training with self-made static progressive joint distractors and training with self-made static progressive hand flexion distractors. Adverse events such as blister, brace compression, and tissue strain during the stepwise treatment were recorded. After the end of the stepwise treatment, the active flexion of the affected hand was observed. During follow-up, the total active range of motion of the affected hand was measured, and the extensibility of the scar and skin and soft tissue on the back of the affected hand and the patient's satisfaction with the therapeutic effect were evaluated. At the last follow-up, the function of the affected hand was evaluated according to the trial standards for evaluation of partial function of upper extremity by the Hand Surgery Society of Chinese Medical Association.Results:During the stepwise treatment, a small amount of blisters developed on the skin at the wrist joint in 2 patients, which was cured after symptomatic treatment; the other patients had no adverse events such as brace compression and tissue strain. After the end of the stepwise treatment, the active flexion function of the hand was better, and the fist could be basically clenched. After 1-3 months of follow-up, the total active range of motion of the affected hand was 200-245°; the scar on the back of the hand was soft and light-colored, and the skin and soft tissue was malleable. Twenty-two patients were very satisfied with the curative effect, 6 patients were satisfied, and 1 patient was dissatisfied. At the last follow-up, there were 20 cases with excellent hand function and 9 cases with good hand function.Conclusions:The stepwise treatment of hand flexion dysfunction caused by scar contracture after burn injury with self-made static progressive braces has a good effect and few complications. Moreover, the two self-made static progressive distractors are convenient in material acquisition, simple to make, cost-effective, and highly practical, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective:To explore the effect of self-made static progressive braces in the stepwise treatment of hand flexion dysfunction caused by scar contracture after burn injury.Methods:This study was a retrospective observational study. From January 2022 to March 2024, the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University admitted twenty-nine patients who met the inclusion criteria and used the self-made static progressive braces for stepwise treatment of hand flexion dysfunction caused by scar contracture, including 23 males and 6 females, aged 16 to 55 years. The depth of burn on the back of the hand was deep partial-thickness to full-thickness. The self-made static progressive brace referred to the self-made static progressive joint distractor and the self-made static progressive hand flexion distractor. The stepwise treatment was adopted. In the first stage, in-hospital treatment for 2 to 4 weeks was selected. The treatment contents included conventional rehabilitation training and training on the application of the self-made joint distractors. When the active flexion range of motion of the metacarpophalangeal joint was ≥60°, the second stage of treatment was carried out, that is, two weeks of home remote rehabilitation treatment. The treatment contents included individualized exercise training such as training with self-made static progressive joint distractors and training with self-made static progressive hand flexion distractors. Adverse events such as blister, brace compression, and tissue strain during the stepwise treatment were recorded. After the end of the stepwise treatment, the active flexion of the affected hand was observed. During follow-up, the total active range of motion of the affected hand was measured, and the extensibility of the scar and skin and soft tissue on the back of the affected hand and the patient's satisfaction with the therapeutic effect were evaluated. At the last follow-up, the function of the affected hand was evaluated according to the trial standards for evaluation of partial function of upper extremity by the Hand Surgery Society of Chinese Medical Association.Results:During the stepwise treatment, a small amount of blisters developed on the skin at the wrist joint in 2 patients, which was cured after symptomatic treatment; the other patients had no adverse events such as brace compression and tissue strain. After the end of the stepwise treatment, the active flexion function of the hand was better, and the fist could be basically clenched. After 1-3 months of follow-up, the total active range of motion of the affected hand was 200-245°; the scar on the back of the hand was soft and light-colored, and the skin and soft tissue was malleable. Twenty-two patients were very satisfied with the curative effect, 6 patients were satisfied, and 1 patient was dissatisfied. At the last follow-up, there were 20 cases with excellent hand function and 9 cases with good hand function.Conclusions:The stepwise treatment of hand flexion dysfunction caused by scar contracture after burn injury with self-made static progressive braces has a good effect and few complications. Moreover, the two self-made static progressive distractors are convenient in material acquisition, simple to make, cost-effective, and highly practical, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective:To investigate the perioperative management of wounds associated with secondary sternal osteomyelitis and/or mediastinitis after sternotomy, and to evaluate its clinical effects.Methods:This study was a retrospective observational study. From January 2017 to December 2022, 36 patients with wounds associated with secondary sternal osteomyelitis and/or mediastinitis after sternotomy who were conformed to the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Burn Center of PLA of the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, including 23 males and 13 females, aged 25 to 81 years. Preparation for surgery was made. For patients with suspected retrosternal mediastinal abscess cavity, all cancellous bone of the unhealed sternum was bitten off to fully expose the retrosternal mediastinum, remove the source of infection and granulation tissue, and to fill the sternum defect with flipped unilateral pectoralis major muscle. For patients who had no retrosternal mediastinal infection but had fresh granulation tissue in unhealed sternal wounds, the necrotic tissue and a small amount of necrotic sternum were palliatively removed, and bilateral pectoralis major muscles were advanced and abutted to cover the sternal defect. After the skin in the donor area was closed by tension-relieving suture, continuous vacuum sealing drainage was performed, and continuous even infusion and lavage were added 24 hours later. The thorax was fixed with an armor-like chest strap, the patients were guided to breathe abdominally, with both upper limbs fixed to the lateral chest wall using a surgical restraint strap. The bacterial culture results of wound exudation specimens on admission were recorded. The wound condition observed during operation, debridement method, muscle flap covering method, intraoperative bleeding volume, days of postoperative infusion and lavage, lavage solution volume and changes on each day, and postoperative complications and wound healing time were recorded. After discharge, the wound healing quality, thorax shape, and mobility functions of thorax and both upper limbs were evaluated during follow-up. The stability and closure of sternum were observed by computed tomography (CT) reexamination.Results:On admission, among 36 patients, 33 cases were positive and 3 cases were negative in bacterial culture results of wound exudation specimens. Intraoperative observation showed that 26 patients had no retrosternal mediastinal infection but had fresh granulation tissue in unhealed sternal wounds, palliative debridement was performed and bilateral pectoralis major muscles were advanced and abutted to cover the defect. In 10 patients with suspected retrosternal mediastinal abscess cavity, the local sternum was completely removed by bite and the defect was covered using flipped unilateral pectoralis major muscle. During the operation, one patient experienced an innominate vein rupture and bleeding of approximately 3 000 mL during mediastinal exploration, and the remaining patients experienced bleeding of 100-1 000 mL. Postoperative infusion and lavage were performed for 4-7 days, with a lavage solution volume of 3 500-4 500 mL/d. The lavage solution gradually changed from dark red to light red and finally clear. Except for 1 patient who had suture rupture caused by lifting the patient under the armpit during nursing on the 3 rd day after surgery, the wounds of the other patients healed smoothly after surgery, and the wound healing time of all patients was 7-21 days. Follow-up for 3 to 9 months after discharge showed that the patient who had suture rupture caused by armpit lifting died due to multiple organ failure. In 1 patient, the armor-like chest strap was removed 2 weeks after surgery, and the shoulder joint movement was not restricted, resulting in local rupture of the suture, which healed after dressing change. The wounds of the remaining patients healed well, and they resumed their daily life. The local skin of patient's pectoralis major muscle defect was slightly sunken and lower than that of the contralateral thorax in the patients undergoing treatment of pectoralis major muscle inversion, while no obvious thoracic deformity was observed in patients undergoing treatment with pectoralis major muscle propulsion and abutment. The chest and upper limb movement in all patients were slightly limited or normal. CT reexamination results of 10 patients showed that the sternum was stable, the local sternum was closed or covered completely with no lacuna or defects. Conclusions:Once the wound associated with secondary sternal osteomyelitis and/or mediastinitis after sternotomy is formed, individualized and precise debridement should be performed as soon as possible, different transfer ways of pectoralis major muscle flap should be chosen to cover the defect, and postoperative continuous infusion and lavage together with strict thorax and shoulder joint restraint and immobilization should be performed. This treatment strategy can ensure good wound healing without affecting the shape and function of the donor area.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of autologous split-thickness skin grafting for prefabricating urethra combined with scrotal flap in repairing middle urethral defect with penile defect.Methods:The retrospective observational study was conducted. Eight male patients (aged 14 to 58 years) with middle urethral defect and penile defect caused by various injuries who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from January 2015 to January 2022. The length of urethral defect was 3 to 5 cm, and the wound area of penile defect after debridement was 5.0 cm×2.5 cm to 7.0 cm×5.5 cm. All the patients underwent autologous split-thickness skin grafting for prefabricating defect urethra in stage Ⅰ, and urethral anastomosis was performed and unilateral scrotal flap was transferred to reconstruct urethra and penis in stage Ⅱ. The area of scrotal flap was 6.0 cm×3.0 cm to 8.0 cm×6.0 cm. The wound in the donor area of skin graft was covered by oil gauze, and the wound of flap donor area was sutured directly. On the 7 th day after the operation of stage Ⅱ, the survival of the flap was observed. In 3 weeks after the operation of stage Ⅱ, the urinary flow rate was measured by the urinary flow rate detector (urinary flow rate >15 mL/s was regarded as unobstructed urination), the urinary fistula and erectile function were observed, and the self-made therapeutic satisfaction questionnaire was used to investigate the therapeutic satisfaction degree of patients. During follow-up, the appearance of the flap recipient area was observed, the Vancouver scar scale (VSS) was used to evaluate the scar situation in the donor areas of skin graft and flap, the urinary flow rate was detected as before, the urethral stricture, urinary fistula, and erectile function were observed, and the therapeutic satisfaction degree of patients was investigated. Results:On the 7 th day after the operation of stage Ⅱ, the flaps survived completely in 8 patients. In 3 weeks after the operation of stage Ⅱ, the urinary flow rate was 25.3 (18.0, 38.5) mL/s, with unobstructed urination, without urinary fistula and with erectile function, and the score of therapeutic satisfaction degree was 14.3 (14.0, 15.0). During follow-up of 1 to 7 years, the flap recipient area of 8 patients was full in appearance and not swollen, with similar color to the surrounding tissue; the VSS scores of the donor areas of skin graft and flap were 11.5 (10.0, 13.0) and 10.5 (9.3, 12.0), respectively, the urinary flow rate was 24.6 (17.7, 34.1) mL/s, with no urethral stricture, urinary fistula, and erectile dysfunction, and the score of therapeutic satisfaction degree was 13.5 (13.3, 14.8). Conclusions:Autologous split-thickness skin grafting for prefabricating urethra combined with scrotal flap in repairing the urethral and penile defects not only reconstructs the structure of urethra and the shape of penis, but also restores the sensation and erectile function of penis, with few postoperative complications, no obvious scar hyperplasia, and high satisfaction degree of patients, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective:To investigate the clinical application effect of latissimus dorsi muscle flap in reconstruction of muscle strength around shoulder after electric burns.Methods:From March 2014 to September 2020, 13 patients with electric burns and severe injury around shoulder were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, including 11 males and 2 females, aged 19-55 years. A retrospective observational study was conducted. The left upper limbs were injured in 8 cases, and the right upper limbs were injured in 5 cases, all with eschar wounds of Ⅲ-Ⅳ degree. Among which, there were biceps defects in 6 cases, deltoid defects in 3 cases, triceps defects in 2 cases, and composite defects of multiple muscles around shoulder in 2 cases. The surgery was carried out in two stages. In stage Ⅰ, debridement and exploration of electric burn wounds around shoulders were conducted to preserve local tissue and save the limb as much as possible on the premise of guaranteeing the stability of the body condition. After the last debridement, the wound area was from 10 cm×6 cm to 40 cm×15 cm, the muscle defect area was from 8 cm×4 cm to 19 cm×12 cm, and the humerus was exposed in 7 patients. In stage Ⅱ, according to the residual limb defect degree, muscle reconstruction around shoulder was conducted with the latissimus dorsi muscle flap, and area of the latissimus dorsi muscle flap was 15 cm×6 cm to 20 cm×18 cm. The residual wounds were repaired with autologous split-thickness skin grafts of head, and the donor sites of muscle flaps were sutured directly. The survivals of the muscle flaps and wounds closure post operation, and the appearances of the donor sites and recipient sites during follow-up were observed. At the last follow-up, the shoulder joint function was evaluated using the trial standard for the evaluation of the functions of the upper limbs of the Hand Surgery Society of the Chinese Medical Association, and the satisfaction degrees of patients for appearance and function recoveries of shoulder were investigated by self-made questionnaire with reference to the concise test scoring system of shoulder joint.Results:All of the 13 muscle flaps around shoulder survived after surgery. Two patients had residual wounds in the skin grafting area, the wound in one of the patients was healed after dressing change, and the wound in the other 1 patient was healed with the second autologous split-thickness skin grafting on head after dressing change. During follow-up of 6 to 18 months for all the patients, the muscle flaps of patients were full in appearance and not bloated, and atrophic scar in the repaired area was soft in texture and closed with normal skin around. Linear suture scars were left in the donor sites of muscle flaps, which did not affect the overall appearance. At the last follow-up, the active abduction range of the shoulder joint was 60-90°, upward lift on 120-180°, muscle strength recovered to level Ⅳ and above in 8 cases and to level Ⅲ in 5 cases, and the shoulder joint function was evaluated as excellent in 8 cases and good in 5 cases; 10 patients were very satisfied and 3 patients were satisfied with the appearance and function recovery of the shoulders.Conclusions:The application of latissimus dorsi muscle flap provides a better choice for the muscle strength reconstruction around shoulder after electric burns, with good appearance of the operative areas and ideal prognosis of upper limb function.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of cell cycle checkpoint kinase 1(Chk1)gene in glioblastoma cells( GBM) and its correlation with GBM cell proliferation,tumorigenic activity and prognosis. Methods The ex-pression of Chk1 in GBM cells was selected and analyzed by TCGA database and brain tumor molecular database( Rembrandt),and the level of Chk1 expression in GBM cells was detected by molecular biology techniques such as Western blot and Real-Time PCR. The expression of Chk1 was silenced by siRNA to investigate its effect on proliferation and colony-forming ability of GBM cells. The prognosis survival of GBM patients accompanying with Chk1 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining and Rembrandt database. Results The results of TCGA database and Rembrandt showed that Chk1 gene was highly expressed in GBM tissues. West-ern blot and Real-Time PCR also showed that Chk1 gene was highly expressed in GBM cells. Lentiviral transfection siRNA-specific silencing of Chk1 significantly inhibited proliferation and colony-forming ability of U87 cells( P<0. 01 and P<0. 05). Prognostic survival analysis showed that GBM patients with low expression of Chk1 gene had a significantly better clinical outcome than those of GBM patients with high expression of Chk1 gene(P<0. 001). Conclusion Chk1 gene is overexpressed in GBM cells,up-regula-tion of Chk1 gene expression can promote the growth and proliferation of GBM cells,and Chk1 gene is associated with poor prognosis in GBM patients.

Objective: To investigate the molecular epidemiological characteristics of Human Calicivirus (HuCV) infection among children less than 5 years in Kunming city, Yunnan province, it might be provide effective evident for prevention and control the diarrhea related with HuCV infection. Methods: Four sentinel hospitals were recruited in the study from Kunming city, Yunnan province, 850 diarrhea cases and 170 non-diarrhea subject were recruited in this study from 2014 to 2015. RT-PCR was performed to screen HuCV infection, and gene sequencing was used to ensure positive infection subtypes and genotypes. Results: The positive rate of HuCV was higher in children with diarrhea than in non-diarrhea children (11.5%, 98/85; 4.7%, 8/170, χ²=7.083, P=0.008), and the positive rate of Norovirus (NoV) GII was higher in non-diarrhea children were (11.1%, 94/85; 4.7%, 8/170, χ²=6.353, P=0.012). There was no significant difference in the positive rate of NoV GI (0.1%, 1/850; 0.0%, 0/170, P=0.833) and Sappovirus (0.4%, 3/850; 0.0%, 0/170, P=0.578) in diarrhea children and non-diarrhea children. GII.P4 (10%, n=102) was the most important genotype of NoV GII detected in diarrhea and non-diarrhea individuals. Despite no significant difference in Norovirus GII infection between different age groups (χ²=0.038, P=0.846) and sex(χ²=0.620, P=0.733), infection rate of NoV GII varied with season (χ²=9.867, P=0.020), having close relationship with diarrhea in autumn (15.6%), primarily caused by GII.4 and GII.12 genotype (χ²=8.881, P=0.031; χ²=7.917, P=0.039). Conclusions NoV GII diarrhea had higher epidemic rate, which was caused by multiple genotypes, GII.P4 was a dominant genotype, and was a major pathogenic agent of diarrhea in infants f in Kunming city.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the biochemical and pathological changes in mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) induced by high-fat diet combined with low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) injections.

METHODSC57BL/6J mice were divided randomly into normal control group (NC group), high-fat diet group (HC group) and high-fat diet plus STZ group (HC+STZ group). The mice were fed on normal chow or a high-fat diet for 1 month before two introperitoneal injections of STZ (40 mg/kg) or citrate buffer with an interval of 24 h as appropriate. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) was detected every week for 4 weeks, and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed one month after the injections, after which the biochemical profiles, islet and liver were evaluated by immunohistochemical and pathological analysis.

RESULTSIn HC+STZ group, FBG was above the cutoff value (13.89 mmol/L) in 75% of the mice at 1 week after STZ injections and in all the mice at two weeks except for the death of 1 mouse, with a success rate of modeling of 91.3%. FBG in HC group, though slightly higher than that in NC group, remained normal (6.8 mmol/L). The body weight in HC+STZ and HC groups was significantly higher than that in NC group after feeding but without obvious increases after the injections (P<0.01). Blood glucose in HC+STZ group at 0.5 to 2 h after OGTT and the area under curve (AUC) were higher than those in NC and HC groups (P<0.01); the AUC in HC group was a also higher than that in NC group (P<0.05). Plasma creatinine was significantly higher in HC+STZ group than in NC (P<0.01) and HC (P<0.05) groups. Insulin secretion by the islets decreased obviously in HC+STZ and HC group. The mice in HC+STZ group showed atrophy, fibrosis, and vacuolization in the islets with mild fatty liver but no visible renal pathologies.

CONCLUSIONHigh-fat diet and low-dose STZ injections can induce T2DM in mice with very similar biochemical and pathological changes to human T2DM and with such complications as fatty liver.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Body Weight ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; physiopathology ; Diet, High-Fat ; Fatty Liver ; physiopathology ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Islets of Langerhans ; pathology ; Kidney ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Streptozocin

OBJECTIVETo investigate AXIN1-related CSRNP1 gene expression and the mechanism of its transcriptional regulation in TGF-β1-induced tumor cells.

METHODSHuman lung carcinoma A549 cells or human prostate cancer PC3 cells were treated with TGF-β1 at different doses (0, 20, 40, and 80 ng/ml) or at 20 ng/ml for 0, 8, 12, or 24 h, and the dose and time effect of TGF-β1 on CSRNP1 mRNA expression in the tumor cells were evaluated with real-time RT-PCR. A549 cells were also treated with TGF-β1 and cycloheximide to clarify whether CSRNP1 expression induced by TGF-β1 required de novo protein synthesis. A549 cells transfected with pcDNA3.1, flag-SMAD3, or flag-SMAD3-mu, after serum starvation, were treated with or without TGF-β1 (20 ng/mL) for 24 h, and the overexpression of wild-type SMAD3 and dominant negative SMAD3-mu mutant were confirmed by Western blotting. The effect of SMAD3 or SMAD3-mu overexpression on CSRNP1 mRNA expression was also measured by real-time RT-PCR.

RESULTSIn both A549 and PC3 cells, TGF-β1 dose- and time-dependently stimulated CSRNP1 expression, which required de novo protein synthesis in A549 cells. Overexpression of wild-type SMAD3 significantly increased the expression of CSRNP1 mRNA induced by TGF-β1, while overexpression of dominant negative SMAD3 mutant remarkably reduced CSRNP1 mRNA expression in response to TGF-β1 in A549 cells.

CONCLUSIONTGF-β1 may contribute to CSRNP1 expression through SMAD3 activation and downstream signaling in tumor cells.

Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Axin Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Signal Transduction ; Smad3 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the glycolytic phenotype of SHG44 human glioma cells under hypoxic conditions and the association between cell proliferation and apoptosis and the metabolic status.

METHODSAn in vitro hypoxic cell model was established in SHG44 cells using CoCl2. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to assess the expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and the enzymes involved in glycolysis including PDK1, PKM2, and LDHA. Intracellular ATP levels were measured by bioluminescence assay to assess the energy metabolic status of SHG44 cells. The viability and apoptosis of the cells were examined using MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively.

RESULTSThe cells in hypoxic culture showed obviously increased expressions of HIF-1α, LDHA, PDK1, and PKM2 at both the mRNA and protein levels as compared to those in normal cell culture. Hypoxia of the cells also resulted in a lowered cell proliferative activity and an increased apoptosis rate with lowered intracellular ATP concentrations and elevated mitochondrial membrane potential.

CONCLUSIONHypoxia can induce a glycolytic phenotype of tumor cells. The sensitivity of tumor cells to hypoxia-induced cell death is directly correlated with their metabolic status.

Adenosine Triphosphate ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; Carrier Proteins ; metabolism ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Glioma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Glycolysis ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Thyroid Hormones ; metabolism