Performance of EAST in diagnosing inhalant allergens in children with allergic rhinitis

The performance of enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (EAST) for identifying six indoor allergens was evaluated using skin prick test (SPT) as reference tests in 154 children with allergic rhinitis. Sensitivity of EAST ranged from 9% (cat) to 54% (HDM) with specificity of 74%(cockroach) to 100% (cat) with an agreement ranged from 58 to 86%. Cut off values ?> ?0.35 kU/L showed best sensitivity and specificity. Our findings agree with extant literature which suggests that the ability of EAST to determine the precipitating allergen is moderate. Assays for definitively identifying the inhalant allergen are currently not available.     

Exploring a 7-gene prognostic model based on ferroptosis for efficiently guiding immunotherapy in melanoma patients

PurposeAlthough skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) is a relatively immunotherapy-sensitive tumor type, there is still a certain fraction that benefits less from treatment. Ferroptosis has been demonstrated to modulate tumor progression in many cancer types. This study focused on ferroptosis-related genes to construct a prognostic model for SKCM patients.Materials and methodsGene expression profiles of SKCM samples were obtained from public databases. Unsupervised consensus clustering was used to determine molecular subtypes related to ferroptosis. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and stepwise Akaike information criterion (stepAIC) were applied to construct a prognostic model based on differentially expressed genes between two molecular subtypes.ResultsC1 and C2 subtypes were identified with differential prognosis and immune infiltration. A 7-gene prognostic model was constructed to classify samples into high-FPRS and low-FPRS groups. Low-FPRS group with favorable prognosis had higher immune infiltration and more enriched immune-related pathways than the high-FPRS group. The two groups showed distinct sensitivity to immunotherapy, with the low-FPRS group predicted to have more positive response to immunotherapy than the high-FPRS group. A nomogram based on the FPRS score and clinical features was built for more convenient use.ConclusionsThe critical role of ferroptosis involved in SKCM development was further validated in this study. The prognostic model was efficient and stable to be applied in clinical conditions to support clinicians in determining personalized therapy for SKCM patients especially those with metastasis.     

Are TRPA1 and TRPV1 channel-mediated signalling cascades involved in UVB radiation-induced sunburn?

Burn injuries are underappreciated injuries associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation has dramatic clinical effects in humans and is a significant public health concern. Although the mechanisms underlying UVB exposure are not fully understood, many studies have made substantial progress in the pathophysiology of sunburn in terms of its molecular aspects in the last few years. It is well established that the transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), and vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channels modulate the inflammatory, oxidative, and proliferative processes underlying UVB radiation exposure. However, it is still unknown which mechanisms underlying TRPV1/A1 channel activation are elicited in sunburn induced by UVB radiation. Therefore, in this review, we give an overview of the TRPV1/A1 channel-mediated signalling cascades that may be involved in the pathophysiology of sunburn induced by UVB radiation. These data will undoubtedly help to explain the various features of sunburn and contribute to the development of novel therapeutic approaches to better treat it.     

猪小肠黏膜下层脱细胞修复补片修复手部软组织缺损的效果分析

目的 对比应用新型再生可降解生物材料猪小肠黏膜下层脱细胞修复补片(SIS)与植皮术在修复手部软组织缺损的治疗效果.方法 2017年12月至2018年12月,共收治手部软组织缺损36例,根据缺损面积与治疗方法分为两组:补片组21例,软组织缺损面积2.0 cm×1.5 cm^9.0 cm×3.5 cm,平均5.3 cm×2.1 cm,采用SIS治疗;植皮组15例,软组织缺损面积9.0 cm×4.0 cm^16.0 cm×9.0 cm,平均12.0 cm×8.5 cm,采用中厚皮片植皮治疗.观察两组治疗方法促进软组织缺损愈合的效果,记录术后14 d、21 d、28 d、3个月创面区愈合情况,并随访评估创面区愈合后的外观、色泽、弹性、感觉恢复与部分肌腱外露的治疗效果.结果 本组36例均获随访,随访时间3~10个月,平均5个月.两组创面均完全愈合,外观、色泽接近,皮肤弹性及感觉均恢复良好.补片组感觉恢复优14例(66.6%),良5例(23.8%),差2例(9.6%);植皮组感觉恢复优9例(60.0%),良4例(26.0%),差2例(14.0%).创面愈合效果补片组优14例,良5例,差2例;植皮组愈合优9例,良4例,差2例.结论 SIS能快速、有效的刺激机体再生出表皮组织,并且新生的表皮经过生长与周围皮肤颜色无明显差异,无明显瘢痕增生,是一种手部小面积浅表软组织缺损的理想修复材料.     

Electrochemotherapy for the palliative management of cutaneous metastases: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundElectrochemotherapy combines electroporation in conjunction with chemotherapeutic agents and is used to treat tumours in many localisations, including cutaneous metastases. The symptoms associated with cutaneous malignant wounds can be distressing for patients and their management is a challenge in healthcare.AimThe purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the effectiveness of electrochemotherapy in the context of palliative care.DesignAll aspects of the systematic review were followed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement.Data sourcesThe following databases were searched for English-language reviews; Medline, Embase, CINAHL, British Nursing Index and the Cochrane Library. The search was conducted between the publication of Standard Operating Procedures in 2006 and the third week of October 2017. Studies involving oral cancers and studies with fewer than 10 patients were excluded. The selected studies were assessed for risk of bias and sub-group data were synthesised in a random-effects meta-analysis.ResultsFrom 425 studies, 29 studies were included involving 1503 patients, the pooled results were 46.6% for complete response and 82.2% for objective response according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours. The meta-analysis indicated that small tumours were over twice as likely (2.25) to have a complete response than large.ConclusionsElectrochemotherapy is an effective, repeatable and minimally invasive intervention within the palliative population that can reduce symptom burden. This review is an update of previous systematic reviews by Mali et al. [1,2] and highlights the need for tailored treatment depending on each individual case.     

口服硝酸盐对大鼠背部随意皮瓣的保护作用及机制探讨

目的 探讨口服硝酸盐对大鼠背部随意皮瓣的影响,以硝酸盐-亚硝酸盐-NO通路为切入点,探讨其可能的机制。方法 将24只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为硝酸盐组、氯化钠组和对照组,每组8只。采用改良大鼠背部随意皮瓣制作方法造模。硝酸盐干预组在术前7 d及术后每天口服0.5 mmol/L硝酸钠,氯化钠组每天口服等量氯化钠,对照组每天口服蒸馏水。术后第7天,检测各组皮瓣的存活情况,大鼠血清中硝酸盐、亚硝酸盐、肿瘤坏死因子（tumor necrosis factor alpha,TNF-a）和白介素6（interleukin-6,IL-6）水平,以及皮瓣组织中超氧化物歧化酶（superoxide dismutase,SOD）和丙二醛（malondialdehyde,MDA）水平。采用SPSS 20.0软件包对数据进行t检验。结果 硝酸盐组皮瓣的存活面积显著高于对照组（P<0.05）。H-E染色显示,硝酸盐明显减轻了皮瓣的组织学损伤。硝酸钠显著增加了血清中硝酸盐和亚硝酸盐水平（P<0.05）,并显著下调血清中TNF-a和IL-6水平（P<0.05）。此外,硝酸盐组皮瓣组织内MDA表达显著减少（P<0.05）,SOD表达显著增加（P<0.05）。结论 口服硝酸盐可通过调控皮瓣的氧化应激和炎症反应保护皮瓣。     

Comparative Measurement of Biophysical Parameters in Consideration of Skin Graft Donor Site for Nasal Defects

BackgroundIn planning a skin graft, the texture, color, and size of the recipient and donor site tissues should be considered.ObjectiveWe determined the optimal donor sites for nasal full-thickness skin grafting based on biophysical parameters.MethodsThirty women over the age of 60 were selected for this study. Four recipient sites (nasal root, dorsum, tip, ala) and three donor sites (preauricle, postauricle, forehead) were considered. Biophysical parameters such as transepidermal water loss (TEWL), capacitance, sebum output, erythema/melanin value, and skin replica technique were tested.ResultsThe nasal root was correlated with the forehead in terms of TEWL and sebum output. The nasal dorsum was correlated with the preauricle in terms of TEWL, erythema/melanin value, and skin replica measurements. The nasal tip was correlated with the preauricle in terms of TEWL, sebum output, erythema/melanin value, and skin replica measurements. The ala was correlated with the forehead in terms of TEWL and skin replica measurements.ConclusionThe preauricule is the optimal donor site for resurfacing of the nasal dorsum and tip. The forehead is a good donor site for alar defects. For resurfacing of the nasal root, the forehead and postauricle are good choices.     

Metástasis cutáneas de cáncer de mama: 8 años de revisión en un centro de tercera complejidad

Background and objectivesBreast cancer is the most common cause of cutaneous metastases. In our review of the literature, we found no studies that have investigated the prevalence of cutaneous metastases from breast cancer in Latin America or compared survival in relation to the site of cutaneous involvement or the presence of visceral metastases.The aims of this study were to characterize the prevalence and clinical features of cutaneous metastases from breast cancer and analyze survival in relation to site of involvement and the concomitant presence of visceral metastases.Materials and methodsRetrospective cohort study. We evaluated patients with breast cancer and histologically confirmed cutaneous metastases.ResultsData from 914 patients with breast cancer seen between 2007 and 2014 were analyzed. Thirty-one of the patients, all women, had cutaneous metastases (prevalence, 3.4%; 95% CI, 2.3%-4.7%). The most common form of metástasis was nodular, metachronous, and asymptomatic.There were discrepancies between the immunohistochemical findings for the primary tumor and the metastases in 5 of 21 women. The metastases were locorregional in 23 patients and distant in 8. No differences were observed between patients with locorregional and distant metastases for survival after diagnosis of the primary tumor (median of 4.7 vs. 4.8 years; P=.085) or the cutaneous metastases (median of 2.9 vs. 1.1 years, P=.06). Women with a simultaneous diagnosis of cutaneous and visceral metastases had the shortest survival.ConclusionsThis is the first study in Latin America to estimate the prevalence of cutaneous metastases from breast cancer and we found it to be lower than rates reported for other parts of the world.     

三步序贯法治疗四肢皮肤软组织缺损合并骨或肌腱外露创面

目的:探讨采用改良VSD技术、皮耐克覆盖、自体皮移植三步序贯法治疗拒绝皮瓣修复的四肢皮肤软组织缺损合并骨或肌腱外露创面的临床疗效。方法:2013年1月至2015年6月,采用三步序贯法治疗18例四肢创伤后皮肤软组织缺损合并骨或肌腱外露创面患者,其中男13例,女5例;年龄23～72岁,平均34.6岁;受伤至手术时间1.5～5.0 h,平均2.5 h。皮肤软组织缺损面积4.2 cm×3.1 cm～7.4 cm×5.2 cm。评估创面恢复情况及取皮创口恢复情况综合评价治疗效果。结果:术后18例患者获得随访,时间5～16个月,平均7.6个月。所有创面深部骨肌腱组织被有效覆盖,人工真皮成活,愈合创面质地韧、外形可;创面移植皮片成活,未见明显瘢痕组织生成,外观平整,皮肤颜色略深于正常皮肤,整体效果满意。结论:采用三步序贯法治疗拒绝皮瓣修复的四肢皮肤软组织缺损合并骨或肌腱外露创面疗效良好,具有操作简单、手术风险及创伤小等优点。