Burn-Induced Microglia Activation is Associated With Motor Neuron Degeneration and Muscle Wasting in Mice.

Introduction: Burn injury (BI) leads to both systemic and neuro-inflammation and is associated with muscle wasting and weakness, which increase morbidity and mortality. Disuse atrophy is concomitantly present in BI patients. Most studies have focused on muscle with little attention to role of central nervous system (CNS) in the neuromuscular changes.

Carbon monoxide (CO) modulates hydrogen peroxide (HO)-mediated cellular dysfunction by targeting mitochondria in rabbit lens epithelial cells.

Mitochondrial components are of great importance for the maintenance of lens transparency. In our previous work, we confirmed that carbon monoxide (CO) can protect human and rabbit lens epithelial cells (LECs) from hydrogen peroxide (HO)-mediated apoptosis, while the mechanism remains undefined. Because CO can bind to mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (COX), we evaluated the effect of CO on the regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis and function in HO-treated rabbit LECs.

Carbon monoxide (CO) inhibits hydrogen peroxide (HO)-induced oxidative stress and the activation of NF-κB signaling in lens epithelial cells.

Lens epithelial cells (LECs) play a critical role in the maintenance of clear crystalline lens. Previously, we reported that heme oxygenase-1 can protect LECs from hydrogen peroxide (HO)-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress; however, to the best of our knowledge, these protection mechanisms have not yet been explained. As carbon monoxide (CO) is an active by-product of heme degradation, we investigated its cytoprotective mechanism in both HO-treated human LECs (SRA 01/04) and primary rabbit LECs.

ER stress and subsequent activated calpain play a pivotal role in skeletal muscle wasting after severe burn injury.

Severe burns are typically followed by hypermetabolism characterized by significant muscle wasting, which causes considerable morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study was to explore the underlying mechanisms of skeletal muscle damage/wasting post-burn. Rats were randomized to the sham, sham+4-phenylbutyrate (4-PBA, a pharmacological chaperone promoting endoplasmic reticulum (ER) folding/trafficking, commonly considered as an inhibitor of ER), burn (30% total body surface area), and burn+4-PBA groups; and sacrificed at 1, 4, 7, 14 days after the burn injury.

Outcome of Surgical Treatment in Late-Onset Capsular Block Syndrome.

Purpose: To further investigate the pathogenesis of late-onset capsular block syndrome (CBS) and to evaluate the safety of surgical treatment.

Methods: Seven patients diagnosed with late-onset CBS were retrospectively analyzed. Anterior chamber depth (ACD), intraocular pressure (IOP), refractive diopter, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before and after surgery were recorded.

The predictive value of transcranial sonography in clinically diagnosed patients with early stage Parkinson's disease: comparison with DAT PET scans.

Early and correct diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) is critical for patient counseling and therapeutic management. The diagnostic accuracy of transcranial sonography of substantia nigra (SN-TCS) for early stage PD patients remains controversial. Dopamine transporter (DAT) imaging is sensitive to detect presynaptic dopamine neuronal dysfunction, and has been studied as a diagnostic tool for degenerative Parkinsonism.

[Effect of elemene on reversing chemoresistance to adriamycin in human stomach cancer cell line].

Objective: To investigate the effect of elemene on reversing chemoresistance to adriamycin (ADM) in human stomach cancer cell, and explore its possible mechanism.

Methods: SGC7901/ADM were divided imto two groups: control group and elemene treatment group. The cytotoxicity of ADM on SGC7901/ADM was determined by MTT assay.

Morphologic changes and prognosis of the respiratory tract epithelium in inhalation injury and their relationship with clinical manifestations.

Background: We set out to observe the morphologic changes and determine prognosis based on airway epithelial injury after inhalation injury of varying severity using a fiberbronchoscope and to explore the relationship between the severity of epithelial injury and its clinical manifestation.

Methods: Sixty burn patients with an inhalation injury underwent fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Morphologic changes of the airway epithelium were observed, and the inhalation injury was divided into 3 categories based on the severity of the epithelial injury: first-degree injury, in which the airway epithelium had slight hyperemia and edema; second-degree injury, in which obvious epithelial hyperemia and edema, epithelial erosion, or petechial hemorrhage was observes; and third-degree, in which the airway epithelium had necrosis and exfoliation.

Treatment of benign ureteral stricture by double J stents using high-pressure balloon angioplasty.

Background: Balloon dilatation angioplasty is a minimally invasive surgery for treating benign ureteral stricture. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of placing double J (D-J) stents using high-pressure balloon angioplasty in treating benign ureteral stricture.

Methods: A total of 42 patients (48 cases) with benign ureteral stricture (42 had benign ureteral stricture) were investigated by inserting dual D-J stents using high-pressure balloon angioplasty.