Electrospun Poly(γ-Benzyl-L-Glutamate) and Its Alkali-Treated Meshes: Their Water Wettability and Cell-Adhesion Potential

The aim of this study was (1) to fabricate non-woven meshes from a biodegradable polymer, poly(γ-benzylL-glutamate), by electrospinning and subsequent hydrolysis of the ester bond on the polymer side-chain in an aqueous solution of NaOH, creating surface carboxyl groups on the fibers, and (2) to determine the effect of hydrolysis time on water wettability and cellular behaviors, in order to perform a preliminary evaluation for use of this polymer as a wound dressing matrix. A non-woven mesh composed of fibers, with minimal formation of 'bead' structures, was produced by electrospinning from tetrahydrofuran solution under optimally controlled conditions. The surface wettability largely depended on the hydrolysis time: an increase in hydrolysis time significantly reduced the advancing water contact angle. Instantaneous spreading of water droplets occurred at long hydrolysis times. An increase in hydrolysis time decreased adhesion of endothelial cells, but increased cell spreading. Neither proliferation nor invasion into the mesh interior was observed. We conclude by discussing the use of partially hydrolyzed non-woven mesh as a promising burn dressing.     

醒脑静注射液治疗颅内化脓性感染临床疗效观察

[目的] 探讨醒脑静注射液在颅内化脓性感染中的治疗作用.[方法] 将54例颅内化脓性感染患者随机分为治疗组32例及对照组22例,对照组常规给予抗生素、甘露醇、地塞米松针治疗,治疗组在常规治疗基础上辅以醒脑静注射液静脉滴注.两组疗程均为14 d.观察记录患者腋下温度及意识障碍变化,检测患者的全血白细胞数(B·WBC)及脑脊液白细胞数(CSF-WBC).[结果] 治疗组在治疗第7、14天患者腋下温度明显降低,意识障碍明显缓解,B-WBC和CSF-WBC明显下降(与治疗第3天比较,P<0.05或P<0.01);与对照组比较,差异有显著性意义(P<0.05或P<0.01).[结论]在治疗化脓性颅内感染过程中,醒脑静注射液辅助治疗能及早缓解患者高热、意识障碍等症状,促进血和脑脊液中白细胞数下降至正常水平.     

运脾固表法防治小儿反复呼吸道感染临床研究

[目的]观察运脾固表法防治小儿反复呼吸道感染 (RRTI) 的临床疗效.[方法]采用简单随机法将60例患儿随机分为治疗组30例和对照组30例,治疗组给予具有运脾固表作用的复感宁方治疗 (药物组成:五爪龙、太子参、茯苓、猴头菇、五叶参、薏苡仁、鸡内金、生甘草),对照组给予培菲康散治疗,两组均以12周为1 个疗程,并随访6 个月,主要观察两组患儿治疗前后症状积分变化及临床疗效.[结果]治疗组在改善肺脾气虚症状及舌脉象积分方面显著优于对照组 (P<0.01);在临床疗效方面,治疗组总有效率为90%,对照组为60%,治疗组疗效优于对照组(P<0.05).[结论]运脾固表法防治小儿反复呼吸道感染,不仅能有效地改善肺脾气虚的症状,还能缩短病程,减少呼吸道感染反复发作的频度与强度.     

Quantification of initial adhesion of Enterococcus faecalis to medical grade polymers using a DNA-based fluorescence assay

This paper reports on the use of a DNA-based fluorescence assay to study and quantify the initial interactions of the uropathogen Enterococcus faecalis with different polymers commonly used for the fabrication of medical devices and implants, including polyurethane (PU), silicone (SI), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyamide (PA), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). To follow the kinetics of E. faecalis adhesion, polymer samples were incubated in bacterial solution for various times and the relative concentration of adhered bacteria was obtained using two methods: commonly used CFU plate counting and a DNA quantification assay. Results obtained from DNA-based fluorescence assays showed that E. faecalis adhesion on PU is 3-times higher than that on PTFE following exposure to bacteria for 180 min. Neither surface wettability nor surface roughness of the studied polymers was found to correlate with E. faecalis adhesion, suggesting the involvement of much more complex adhesion mechanisms of bacteria onto surfaces. SEM micrographs of adhered bacteria illustrated that adhesion was different depending on the type of polymeric substrate: adhesion on PU samples was characterized by the aggregation of bacterial cells in dense clusters, as well as by the presence of fimbriae between cells and the substrate, which could explain the high adhesion to PU compared to the other polymers. This work demonstrated that the bacterial adhesion to polymers occurs at an early stage of the contact and suggests that the initial adhesion stage should be controlled, in order to prevent subsequent biofilm formation and, thus, reduce the risk of implant-associated infections.     

脊髓前角逆行变性再生修复的针刺效应观察──前角细胞的光、电镜观察及酶学图像分析

本文通过动物模型，从神经组织学角度，应用光、电镜动态观察研究了针刺对损伤坐骨神经之脊髓前角运动神经元超微结构的影响，应用自动图像分析仪定量分析了其酶组织化学改变。结果表明：①非离断性损伤坐骨神经后，相应神经元形态结构及酶组织化学均发生明显的逆行性变性改变；②针刺能明显抑制神经元变性的发展速度及程度，同时能明显促进神经元的再生与修复速度；③针刺能明显促进受损坐骨神经细胞胞体酶活性及合量变化的恢复。     

Cicatrizing and antimicrobial properties of an ozonised oil from sunflower seeds

The ozonised sunflower oil, Bioperoxoil^®, was tested for its antimicrobial activity against some pathological strains in vitro together with its healing potential against Staphylococcus aureus in vivo. Bioperoxoil^® was tested against S. aureus, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Candida albicans, S. typhimurium and Escherichia coli suspensions using the agar diffusion method. Healing experiments were carried out with Wistar rats through topical application of 3.5 mg/ml of the ozonised oil up to the 7th day after inoculation with S. aureus. Bioperoxoil^® showed anti-inflammatory effects against all strains tested, with MIC values ranging from 2.0 to 3.5 mg/ml. Bioperoxoil^® also demonstrated protective effects on skin connective tissue and to enhance wound healing during the treatment, as compared to a neomycin–clostebol association used as a positive control. The overall results indicated a significant antimicrobial activity, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties for Bioperoxoil^®, as compared to other antimicrobial agents commercially available.     

A Technique of Stapled Gastrojejunostomy for Open Gastric Bypass Results in Increased Wound Complication-Rate

Background: Gastric bypass may be facilitated by a stapled gastrojejunostomy.This study compared two different techniques for performing this critical anastomosis in open surgery. Methods: 67 consecutive patients were retrospectively studied for weight loss, hospital length of stay, anastomotic stricture, wound complication, and incisional hernia. 49 patients had a two layer handsutured gastrojejunostomy over a 34 Fr bougie via a laparotomy (sutured). 18 patients had a stapled gastrojejunostomy using the technique of Wittgrove and Clark via a laparotomy (stapled). All patients received prophylactic intravenous antibiotics preoperatively. Results: Initial BMI, % of excess weight lost at 6 weeks and 6 months, and hospital length of stay were not statistically different between the groups. However, the rate of wound complication and incisional hernia rate were significantly higher in the stapled group when compared to the sutured group (p<0.01). Conclusions: Based on these data we suggest that the technique of Wittgrove and Clark for performing the gastrojejunostomy should not be used in open gastric bypass as it results in increased rates of wound complication and incisional hernia.     

复感宁方防治广州地区小儿反复呼吸道感染的临床研究

【目的】评价复感宁方(五爪龙、太子参、茯苓、薏苡仁、人参叶、芒果核、鸡内金、甘草)治疗肺脾气虚夹湿夹滞型小儿反复呼吸道感染(RRTI)的临床疗效和兼症的改善情况,并进一步探讨复感宁方的立法依据和作用机理。【方法】随机将60例肺脾气虚夹湿夹滞型复感患儿分为治疗组和对照组,每组各30例。治疗组于缓解期给予中药复感宁方治疗,对照组给予胸腺肽片口服治疗,两组均以8周为1个疗程,随访3个月,比较两组总疗效和治疗前后兼症改善情况。【结果】治疗组30例,显效7例,有效20例,无效3例,总有效率为90.00%;对照组30例,显效2例,有效21例,无效7例,总有效率为76.67%;两组比较,治疗组疗效优于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗组治疗后,食欲不振、多汗、大便不调、面色少华等兼症的改善亦优于对照组(P<0.05)。【结论】复感宁方对肺脾气虚兼夹湿夹滞型RRTI有确切的临床疗效,并能明显改善食欲不振、大便不调、多汗、面色少华等症状,在达到防治目的的同时提高了患儿的生活质量,起到整体调治的作用。     

Tissue Oxygenation in Obese and Non-obese Patients During Laparoscopy

Background: Wound infection risk is inversely related to subcutaneous tissue oxygenation, which is reduced in obese patients and may be reduced even more during laparoscopic procedures. Methods: We evaluated subcutaneous tissue oxygenation (PsqO₂) in 20 patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kg/m² (obese group) and 15 patients with BMI <30 kg/m² (non-obese group) undergoing laparoscopic surgery with standardized anaesthesia technique and fluid administration. Arterial oxygen tension was maintained near 150 mmHg. PsqO₂ was measured from a surrogate wound on the upper arm. Results: A mean FIO₂ of 51% (13%) was required in obese patients to reach an arterial oxygen tension of 150 mmHg; however, a mean FIO₂ of only 40% (7%) was required to reach the same oxygen tension in non-obese patients (P=0.007). PsqO₂ was significantly less in obese patients: 41 (10) vs 57 (15) mmHg (P<0.001). Conclusion: Obese patients having laparoscopic surgery require a significantly greater FIO₂ to reach an arterial oxygen tension of about 150 mmHg than non-obese patients; they also have significantly lower subcutaneous oxygen tensions. Both factors probably contribute to an increased infection risk in obese patients.