The protective role of resveratrol in diabetic wound healing

Diabetic wounds are severe complications of diabetes mellitus (DM), which have difficulty in healing. Although diverse treatments have been used, the prognosis of diabetic wounds is not satisfactory; therefore, an effective therapy to accelerate diabetic wound healing is urgently needed. In our review, we summarized that resveratrol can promote diabetic wound healing by protecting against hyperglycemia, inflammation, oxidative stress, vascular pathology, infection, and peripheral neuropathy. To clarify it clearly, we highlighted its underlying mechanisms of protective effects of resveratrol against diabetic wounds, and high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish its clinical efficacy. Otherwise, with the development of material sciences, resveratrol can exert its therapeutic effectiveness efficiently; however, more high-quality studies are needed to confirm the clinical efficacy of resveratrol on diabetic wounds.

Edaravone promotes viability of random skin flaps via activating PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway-mediated enhancement of autophagy

Random skin flap transplantation is a commonly used technique. However, ischemia and ischemia-reperfusion injury always impair its therapeutic effectiveness through acclerating oxidative stress, apoptosis and suppressing angiogenesis. To survive, cells rely on mediating autophagy, DNA repair, immunoregulation to resist these cellular injuries. Thus, mediating autophagy may affect the survival of random skin flaps. The edaravone (EDA), a oxygen radicals scavenger, also possesses autophagy mediator potential, we investigated the effects of EDA on skin flap survival and its autophagy-related mechanisms. In vivo, mice were administered EDA or saline intraperitoneally for 7 days postoperatively. We found that EDA ameliorated the viability of random skin flaps, promoted autophagy and angiogenesis, attenuated apoptosis and oxidative stress. In vitro, mouse umbilical vascular endothelial cells (MUVECs) were administered EDA or 3-methyladenine (3-MA, an autophagy inhibitor) or rapacymin (Rapa, an autophagy activator) at the beginning of oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD). We found that EDA promoted cell viability, activated autophagy, enhanced angiogenesis, alleviated apoptosis and oxidative stress. On one hand, 3-MA reversed the effects of EDA on cell viability, oxidative stress and apoptosis via inhibiting autophagy. On the other hand, Rapa had the similar effects of EDA. Furthermore, EDA-induced autophagy was mediated through downregulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. The findings showed that EDA ameliorated viability of random skin flaps by promoting angiogenesis, suppressing oxidative stress and apoptosis, which may be mediated by autophagic activation through downregulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway.

Research progress and insights on the role of ferroptosis in wound healing

Ferroptosis is a newly discovered cell death type which is different from apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis as well as necrosis in the following aspects: morphology, biochemistry, gene and regulatory mechanisms. Ferroptosis is regulated by multiples of mechanisms such as system Xc- mechanism, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) mechanism, iron metabolism and lipid metabolism. Currently, ferroptosis has been revealed to be significant in wound healing such as diabetic wound, irradiated wound and ultraviolet (UV)-driven wound. Hence, how to intervene in the pathogenesis as well as the development of wounds and promote the wound healing by the regulation of ferroptosis have become a research hotspot. This review systematically summarises the latest scientific advances of ferroptosis and wound healing fields, with hoping to propose a new insight and advance in the wound treatment.

Role of curcumin in ischemia and reperfusion injury

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is an inevitable pathological process after organic transplantations. Although traditional treatments restore the blood supply of ischemic organs, the damage caused by IRI is always ignored. Therefore, the ideal and effective therapeutic strategy to mitigate IRI is warrented. Curcumin is a type of polyphenols, processing such properties as anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis. However, although many researches have been confirmed that curcumin can exert great effects on the mitigation of IRI, there are still some controversies about its underlying mechanisms among these researches. Thus, this review is to summarize the protective role of curcumin against IRI as well as the controversies of current researches, so as to clarify its underlying mechanisms clearly and provide clinicians a novel idea of the therapy for IRI.

Invasive fungal infection is associated with antibiotic exposure in preterm infants: a multi-centre prospective case-control study

BACKGROUND

Previous antibiotic exposure is an important risk factor for invasive fungal infection (IFI). Antibiotic overexposure is common in lower-income countries; however, multi-centre studies concerning IFI in relation to antibiotic exposure are scarce.

AIM

This prospective, multi-centre matched case-control study explored the correlation of IFI and antibiotic exposure in very preterm infants or very-low-birthweight infants admitted to 23 tertiary hospitals in China between 2018 and 2021.

METHODS

Using a 1:2 matched design for gestational age, birth weight and early-onset sepsis (yes/no), the risk factors between infants diagnosed with IFI and infection-free controls were compared. The antibiotic use rate (AUR) was calculated using calendar days of antibiotic therapy in the 4 weeks preceding IFI onset divided by onset day of IFI.

FINDINGS

In total, 6368 infants were included in the study, of which 90 (1.4%) were diagnosed with IFI. Median AUR, length of antibiotic therapy (LOT) and days of antibiotic therapy (DOT) within the 4 weeks preceding IFI onset were 0.90, 18 days and 30 days, respectively. Multi-variate analysis showed that a 10% increase in AUR, each additional day of DOT and LOT, and each additional day of third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems were notably associated with IFI.

CONCLUSION

Prolonged antibiotic therapy is common before the onset of IFI, and is an important risk factor, especially the use of third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems. Antibiotic stewardship should be urgently developed and promoted for preterm infants in order to reduce IFI in lower-income countries such as China.

Foam sclerotherapy compared with liquid sclerotherapy for the treatment of lower extremity varicose veins: A protocol for systematic review and meta analysis

BACKGROUND

There is a continued discussion on which is the best sclerosant to treat lower extremity varicose veins. Therefore, we did this meta-analysis to determine that foam sclerotherapy versus liquid sclerotherapy, which could perform better in the treatment of lower extremity varicose veins.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We independently searched 5 databases from inception to February 1, 2019, for randomized controlled trials and prospective controlled trials for comparing foam sclerotherapy and liquid sclerotherapy for the treatment of lower extremity varicose veins. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the quality of studies. The primary outcome and secondary outcomes were analyzed using stata 15.0. This meta-analysis was performed according to Cochrane Handbook.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in effective rate (P < .001, odd ratios = 5.64, 95% confidence interval = 3.93-8.10) and incidence rate of pain (P = .030, odd ratios = 1.52, 95% confidence interval = 1.04-2.21) between foam sclerotherapy and liquid sclerotherapy. And there were no significant differences among local inflammation (P = .896, rate difference = 0.00, 95% confidence interval = -0.03 to 0.03), thrombophlebitis (P = .90, rate difference = 0.00, 95% confidence interval = -0.02 to 0.02) and hyperpigmentation (P = .336, rate difference = 0.05, 95% confidence interval = -0.05 to 0.14).

CONCLUSIONS

Although foam sclerotherapy has a higher incidence rate of complications, it could achieve a more stable clinical efficacy in the treatment of lower extremity varicose veins than liquid sclerotherapy.

Male axillary accessory breast cancer: A case report

RATIONALE

Accessory breast cancer is extremely rare among all cancerous diseases, especially in male patients. There were only few male axillary accessory breast cancer cases that have been reported in scientific literatures so far. Hereby, we would like to discuss a case of male axillary accessory breast cancer found in our hospital.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We report a male senile patient suffering from a painful, enlarged, and hardened right axillary mass for more than 20 years. He came for further treatments due to progressive growth of the mass for 11 months with bloody ulceration for more than 1 month.

DIAGNOSIS

Pathological examination manifested a grade II infiltrating ductal carcinoma derived from the accessory mammary gland (right axilla), with invasion of local skin. Immunohistochemical examination result: estrogen receptor (++) 90%, progesterone receptor (+++) 100%, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (1+), ki67 (20% positive), prostate specific antigen (-), caudal-related homeobox-2 (-), thyroid transcription factor-1 (-), Synaptophysin (+), NapsinA (1), and CK7 (-).

INTERVENTIONS

Modified radical mastectomy and axillary lymph nodes clearance were performed on the accessary breast cancer under general anesthesia. Postoperatively, endocrine therapy was provided for the patient, orally-taken Letrozole was recommended for the rest of the patient's life.

OUTCOMES

The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged 3 days after the operation. The patient continued to take Letrozole orally regularly at home and no signs of recurrence were observed.

CONCLUSION

Axillary accessory breast cancer in males is extremely rare, with no conspicuous and typical clinical presentations, which leads to inevitable neglect by clinicians. Therefore, there is significant necessity for clinicians to be cautious with this type of disease.

A new type of surgery for the treatment of bromhidrosis

It is common to treat bromhidrosis by surgery, but postoperative complications such as subcutaneous exudate and subcutaneous hematoma can occur and lead to delayed healing of the wound and eventually lead to the formation of unattractive scars. In this study, we evaluated our new surgical treatment for bromhidrosis, which we believe improves prognosis over conventional surgery.The new procedure was performed on 22 patients with bromhidrosis. Our procedure is as follows. One centimeter-long incisions are made along the skin and cleaning of the subcutaneous apocrine glands using a special serrated scraping device is completed. Then, several 0.5 cm-long drainage holes are made according to the design of the Sudoku puzzle and 4 anchoring points identified to stabilize the oil gauze. Finally, the incisions were sutured and the wound covered with a bandage.Of 44 axillas, the bromhidrosis of 42 axillas was completely cured, and greatly reduced in 2 axillas. Local epidermal necrosis occurred in 5 axillas, but there was no full-thickness skin necrosis. Subcutaneous hematoma was not observed, and postoperative scarring was minimal.We found that our modified surgery can effectively reduce the occurrence of subcutaneous hematoma, avoid delayed healing of the wound, and minimize postoperative scarring.Level II, therapeutic study.

Intralesional Injection of Botulinum Toxin Type A Compared with Intralesional Injection of Corticosteroid for the Treatment of Hypertrophic Scar and Keloid: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

The optimal treatment for hypertrophic scar and keloid remains controversial. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the effectiveness of intralesional injection of botulinum toxin type A compared with placebo and intralesional injection of corticosteroid compared with placebo in patients with hypertrophic scar and keloid.

Material/Methods

Six databases were searched using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) keywords and included Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, WanFang, and CNKI from their inception to March 1 2019, without language restriction. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective controlled trials (PCTs) were identified that compared intralesional injection of botulinum toxin type A with placebo and corticosteroid with placebo in hypertrophic scar and keloid. The quality of controlled trials was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS).

Results

Comparison of intralesional botulinum toxin type A and corticosteroid showed significant differences in the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (P<0.001) (WMD, −4.30; 95% CI, −4.44 to −4.16) and effective rate (P=0.012) (RR=0.82; 95% CI, 0.70–0.96). Intralesional injection of botulinum toxin type A compared with placebo showed significant differences in the VAS (P<0.001) (WMD, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.21–1.62), the width of scar (P=0.00) (WMD, −0.15; 95% CI, −0.19 to −0.10) and Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) (P=0.003) (WMD, −0.69; 95% CI, −1.14 to −0.23).

Conclusions

Systematic review and meta-analysis showed that injection of intralesional botulinum toxin type A was more effective in the treatment of hypertrophic scar and keloid than injection of intralesional corticosteroid or placebo.

The Treatment of Axillary Odor: A Network Meta-Analysis

Background

Axillary osmidrosis (AO) is common in plastic surgery. But there is no perfect way to treat AO. We systematically compared the efficacy of 10 AO treatments with network meta-analysis in order to provide reference for the clinical treatment of axillary odor.

Material/Methods

Chinese and English databases were searched by computer. Some relevant studies were collected for network meta-analysis.

Results

We identified 56 studies, including a total of 8618 patients for meta-analysis. The network meta-analysis showed that 21 out of 45 pairs of 10 AO treatments had no statistical significance. In statistical comparison, subcutaneous curettage and swelling suction subcutaneous pruning were better than a single treatment. In addition, the effects of both laser and electric ion therapy were inferior to those of other treatments. The order of therapeutic effects predicted by surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA), curve was swelling aspiration+subcutaneous pruning >subcutaneous pruning >subcutaneous curettage+subcutaneous pruning >spindle excision >botulinum toxin A injection >swelling aspiration >subcutaneous curettage >YAG laser therapy >CO₂ laser therapy >electric ion therapy.

Conclusions

In operative treatment of AO, swelling aspiration+subcutaneous pruning is the best operative treatment, and botulinum toxin A injection is the best in non-operative treatment. Overall, the effect of surgical treatment was more significant than that of non-surgical treatment.

Silencing of ATPase family AAA domain-containing protein 2 inhibits migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors with a high rate of distant metastasis, postoperative recurrence and mortality. ATPase family AAA domain-containing protein 2 (ATAD2), a member of ATPase family, is highly expressed in various cancers, including colorectal cancer. However, whether ATAD2 plays a role in the migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells remains unknown. In this study, we established ATAD2 knockdown in colorectal cancer cell lines by RNA interference and found that silencing of ATAD2 inhibited the migration and invasion ability of Caco-2 and SW-480 cells. Moreover, ATAD2 silencing suppressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and reduced the expression and enzymatic activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in Caco-2 and SW-480 cells. In summary, our results suggest that silencing of ATAD2 inhibits migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells by suppressing EMT and decreasing the activity of MMPs. Hence, ATAD2 could be considered as a novel molecular marker of metastatic colorectal cancer, and it may provide new insights for clinical diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer.

Correlations of MC4R and MSH2 expression with obesity in colon cancer patients

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the correlations of MC4R and MSH2 with adult obesity, a total of 46 patients with early-stage colon cancer were treated in our hospital between February 2008 and February 2009 and were enrolled.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Venous blood was regularly drawn from subjects of the observation group and 48 healthy subjects for 6 years. Expression levels of MC4R and MSH2 genes were tested using quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses, and the ensuing proteins were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and Western blotting and immunohistochemical analyses. Finally, correlations with body mass index (BMI) and the presence of colon cancer were identified using multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, MSH2 mRNA and protein expression increased significantly over time (p < 0.05) in patients with colon cancer. Moreover, MSH2 expression was correlated with colon cancer progression, and MC4R mRNA and protein expression increase concurrently in comparison with the control group (p < 0.05). Also, the mean BMI among patients with colon cancer was 30.8, whereas that among control subjects was only 21.4. These data indicate a relationship between BMI and colon cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Expression of MSH2 in patients with colon cancer may promote the expression of the obesity gene MC4R, potentially contributing to body weight gains.

Defective expression of regulatory B cells in iodine-induced autoimmune thyroiditis in non-obese diabetic H-2(h4) mice

INTRODUCTION

The ability of B cells to negatively regulate cellular immune responses and inflammation has been described. The regulatory B (Breg) cells with the unique CD1d(hi)CD5(+)CD19(+) phenotype and the capacity to produce IL-10 are potent negative regulators of inflammation and autoimmunity in several in vivo mouse models of autoimmune disease.

AIM

To investigate whether Breg cell deficiency participates in autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) in an animal model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Non-obese diabetic (NOD).H-2(h4) mice at 4 weeks of age were randomly divided into control and iodine-treated groups; the iodine-treated group received sterile water containing 0.005 % NaI for 10 or 20 weeks. The percentage of CD1d(hi)CD5(+)CD19(+) Bregs, CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells (Treg) and CD4(+)IL17(+) T helper 17 cells (Th17) in splenic mononuclear cells was detected by multicolor flow cytometry. The expression of IL-10 mRNA and TGF-β mRNA in splenocytes was measured by real-time RT-PCR.

RESULTS

NOD.H-2(h4) mice spontaneously develop anti-thyroglobulin autoantibodies and intrathyroidal lymphocyte infiltration when supplied with iodine in drinking water. Mice with AIT had a decreased CD1d(hi)CD5(+)CD19(+) Breg subset and reduced IL-10 mRNA expression in splenocytes compared with controls (p < 0.05) and maintained relatively low levels during the development of thyroiditis. The proportion of Breg cells was negatively correlated with the proportion of Th17 cells, but positively correlated with CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) Treg cells in splenocytes (All p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The defective expression of Breg cells combined with impaired Treg cells and enhanced Th17 cells might play an important role in the development of iodine-induced AIT in NOD.H-2(h4) mice.

Heterogeneous processing and zona pellucida binding activity of pig zonadhesin

Zonadhesin is a mosaic protein in sperm membrane fractions that binds directly and in a species-specific manner to the extracellular matrix (zona pellucida) of the oocyte. The active form of pig zonadhesin from capacitated, epididymal spermatozoa comprises two covalently associated polypeptide chains of M(r) 105,000 (p105) and M(r) 45,000 (p45). Here we report detection and characterization of multiple zonadhesin isoforms in freshly ejaculated cells. Antibodies to the predicted von Willebrand D0-D1, D1, and D3 domains of pig zonadhesin recognized p105, p45, and additional M(r) 60,000-90,000 polypeptides in particulate fractions of uncapacitated cells. Although the p105/45 form constituted a minority of all zonadhesin forms in sperm membrane fractions, it was the predominant form capable of binding to the pig zona pellucida. Zonadhesin-binding sites were distributed over the entire zona pellucida. Anion exchange chromatography resolved active, p105/45 zonadhesin from the p60-90 inactive forms. Without disulfide bond reduction some zonadhesin was M(r) > or = 300,000, including M(r) 300,000 and 900,000 proteins comprising in part multimers of p105/45. The multimeric forms did not bind the zona pellucida as avidly as did the p105/45 monomer. Expressed D1 and D3 domain fragments containing the CG(L/V)CG sequence motif spontaneously formed multimers at -246 mV E(h) in vitro. Double Cys --> Ser mutants of the D1 fragment formed multimers with the same apparent kinetics as the wild type protein. Zonadhesin localized to the apical head of pig spermatozoa. We conclude that a heterogeneous combination of specific proteolysis and intermolecular disulfide bond formation in the sperm head generates multiple forms of zonadhesin with differing avidities for the zona pellucida.

Stability of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone: effects of pH, temperature, pig skin, and enzyme inhibitors

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the stability of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) as a function of solution pH, temperature, and pig skin with and without enzyme inhibitors. LHRH, incubated with a 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 2.5-8.1), pig skin, and pig skin with enzyme inhibitors, was analyzed using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The solution's pH affected the rate constants of LHRH, following apparent first-order kinetics. Maximum stability was achieved at pH 6.05. Therefore, the effect of various temperatures (i.e., 65, 75, 80, and 90 degrees C) was studied on the stability of LHRH at pH 6.05. The activation energy for the overall reaction was 23.4 kcal/mol at pH 6.05. The shelf-life of LHRH at 25 degrees C and pH 6.05, calculated using the Arrhenius equation, was approximately 4 years. The rate constant of LHRH in the skin (area: 9 cm2; thickness: 0.5 mm) was 0.167 hr-1. Out of three inhibitors (i.e., aprotinin, bestatin, and leupeptin), bestatin had the best stabilizing effect on the degradation of LHRH by the skin. The rate constant of LHRH in the presence of bestatin was 0.082 hr-1. Sixty percent of LHRH was found to be degraded in the skin within 5 hr in the absence of enzyme inhibitors, whereas only 33% of LHRH was degraded in the presence of bestatin (an aminopeptidase inhibitor).

Application of solid-phase microextraction to the recovery of explosives and ignitable liquid residues from forensic specimens

A current review of the application of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) to the analysis of ignitable liquids and explosive residues is presented along with experimental results demonstrating the relative effects of controllable variables. Variables discussed include fiber chemistry, adsorption and desorption temperatures, extraction and desorption times, fiber sampling placement (direct, headspace, and partial headspace) and matrix effects, including water content. SPME is shown to be an inexpensive, rapid and sensitive method for the analysis of ignitable liquids and high explosives residues from solid debris samples and from aqueous samples. Explosives are readily detected at parts per trillion concentrations and ignitable liquids are reproducibly detected at levels below those using conventional methods.

Effect of buffer pH, buffer concentration and skin with or without enzyme inhibitors on the stability of [Arg(8)]-vasopressin

The stability of [Arg(8)]-vasopressin (AVP) as a function of buffer pH, buffer concentration, salt concentration, temperature, and skin with and without enzyme inhibitors was investigated. AVP was analyzed by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The results indicated that the buffer's pH affected the degradation rate of AVP. Buffer ions (H(2)PO(4)(-) and HPO(4)(2-)) and salt concentrations had no effect on the degradation of AVP. Maximum stability was achieved at pH 3.35 among pH values tested. The activation energy for the overall reaction was 21.5 kcal mol(-1) at pH 3.35. From the Arrhenius equation, the shelf-life of AVP at 25 degrees C and pH 3.35 was calculated to be 1.38 years. The degradation rate of AVP in the skin (area: 9 cm(2), thickness: 0.5 mm) was 0.22 h(-1). Bestatin (an aminopeptidase inhibitor) had the best stabilizing effect on the degradation of AVP by skin among the three enzyme inhibitors (i.e. aprotinin, bestatin, and leupeptin) studied. The degradation rate of AVP in the skin was reduced to 0. 059 h(-1) in the presence of bestatin in comparison with no inhibitor (0.22 h(-1)).

[Determination of trace arsenic using GFAAS with metal-coated graphite tube]

The sensitivity, precision and disturbance-resisting property were studied by using metal-coated graphite tube for electrically heated atomic absorption spectrometry. The surface characteristic of the metal-coated graphite tube was studied by using X-ray diffraction meter and scanning electron microscope. The mechanism of satisfactory performance was discussed.