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Objective To investigate the prognostic value and clinical significance of preoperative prognostic nutritional index （PNI） in patients with extensive burns. Methods Clinical data of 56 patients with extensive burns were retrospectively analyzed，and they were divided into the survival group （n=37） and death group （n=19） according to clinical outcomes. Baseline data and relevant laboratory indexes at preoperative 1 d were collected. PNI was calculated using the following equation： serum albumin level （g/L） +5×total lymphocyte count （×109/L）. Clinical data were statistically compared between two groups. The influencing factors of clinical prognosis were identified by univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses. The predictive value of preoperative PNI for clinical prognosis of patients with extensive burns was evaluated by the ROC curve. The area under the ROC curve （AUC） represents the accuracy of prediction. All patients were divided into the high and low PNI groups according to the optimal cut-off value of preoperative PNI. The survival curve was drawn by Kaplan Meier method to predict the differences in 90-d survival rate between two groups. Results Among 56 patients，19 （33.93%） died within postoperative 90 d. There were significant differences in burn area，lymphocyte count and preoperative PNI between the death and survival groups （all P<0.05）. In the death group，burn area was larger，lymphocyte count and preoperative PNI were lower than those in the survival group. There were no significant differences in age，sex，CRP，white blood cell count，creatinine，PLR，albumin levels and the incidence of respiratory tract injury between two groups. Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that burn area，lymphocyte count and preoperative PNI were the risk factors of death. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that burn area and preoperative PNI were the independent risk factors for death. The optimal cut-off value of preoperative PNI to predict death in patients with extensive burns was 34.45. The 90-d survival rate of patients with PNI≤34.45 was significantly lower than that of their counterparts with PNI>34.45. Conclusions Preoperative PNI is associated with 90-d death rate in patients with extensive burns. The 90-d survival rate of patients with low PNI is lower than that of those with high PNI. These findings indicate that it is of significance to identify preoperative PNI for patients with extensive burns，which can provide reference for selecting the optimal timing for surgery，accelerate wound healing and reduce the death rate of patients with extensive burns.

Objective To analyze the sensitivity of common pathogens and common antibiotics in burn and wound repair surgery patients, aiming to provide reference for the prevention and treatment of burn and various wounds. Methods From March 2019 to March 2021, 310 bacterial culture specimens of wound secretion from burn and wound repair surgery patients with suspected wound infection were collected. VITEK 2 Compact automatic bacterial identification instrument and VITEK MS automatic rapid microbial mass spectrometry detection system were used for pathogen identification. Disk diffusion method and instrumental method were employed to detect the antimicrobial susceptibility. The drug resistance of pathogens was analyzed by WHONET 5.6 software. Results Among 310 samples, 179 positive samples were detected, with a positive rate of 57.74%, 84 cases of Gram-positive bacteria, accounting for 46.93%, 91 cases of Gram-negative bacteria, accounting for 50.84% and 4 cases of fungi, accounting for 2.23%. Among them, Gram-negative bacteria were Pseudomonas aeruginosa （PAE）, Acinetobacter baumannii （ABA）, Klebsiella pneumoniae （KPN） and Escherichia coli （ECO）. Staphylococcus aureus （SAU） was the main Gram-positive bacteria. Among the detected Gram-negative bacteria, the sensitivity rate of PAE to polymyxin B, myxin and amikacin was more than 80.40%. The sensitivity rate of ABA to myxin, polymyxin B and tegacyclin exceeded 96.70%. The sensitivity rate of KPN to tegacyclin and polymyxin B antibiotics was higher than 88.90%. The sensitivity rate of ECO to cefotetan, amikacin, piperacillin/tazobactam and carbapenem antibiotics was >92.90%. Among the detected Gram-positive bacteria, the sensitivity of SAU to linezolid, vancomycin and tetracycline was up to 100.00%, and that of Enterococcus to tetracycline, vancomycin and linezolid was also 100.00%. Conclusions Gram-negative bacteria are the main pathogens in patients with wound infection from Department of Burn and Wound Repair Surgery. Antibiotic susceptibility rate of these bacteria were different. Necessary attention should be paid to these pathogens. During the treatment of infection, clinicians should cultivate and prepare bacterial specimens for accurate examination before selecting antibiotics. According to the results of drug sensitivity, they should choose proper antibiotics, and adopt definite treatment instead of empirical medication as early as possible, aiming to inhibit the generation of drug-resistant strains and improve the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment.

An N-doped graphene aerogel (NGA) is used as a reactive container for growing MnO2 nanoparticles via a soaking–hydrothermal strategy. MnO2 nanoparticles pile up on the surface of reduced graphene oxide sheets with crosslinked structures serving as electrical conductors. Importantly, the NGA generates extra capacitance during the electrochemical process, which accomplishes a satisfactory compensation in the physical–chemical properties of MnO2. As a cathodic electrode for Zn-ion batteries, the MnO2/NGA exhibits a specific capacity of 275.8 mA h g−1 and pre-eminent cycling stability with a retention of 93.6% at 3 A g−1 after 1000 cycles. Meanwhile, the proposed electrode also shows a relatively high specific capacitance of 341 F g−1 for a supercapacitor in 1 M Na2SO4. Meanwhile, the long-term cycling stability shows only a slight decrease by 5.1% of the initial capacitance after 5000 continuous cycles at 3 A g−1, which indicates its superior electrochemical stability. Additionally, the assembled asymmetric supercapacitor also shows good electrochemical performance. This work highlights the extensive function of an N-doped graphene aerogel as a promising substrate for enhancing the electrochemical performance of MnO2, which opens the gate for wide potential applications of graphene aerogel composites emphasizing their complementary effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background CD8+ T cells participate in airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and allergic pulmonary inflammation that are characteristics of asthma. CXCL10 by binding to CXCR3 expressed preferentially on activated CD8+ T cells, attracts T cells homing to the lung. We studied the contribution and limitation of CXCR3 to AHR and airway inflammation induced by ovalbumin (OVA) using CXCR3 knockout (KO) mice. Methods Mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA. Lung histopathological changes, AHR, cellular composition and levels of inflammatory mediators in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, and lungs at mRNA and protein levels, were compared between CXCR3 KO mice and wild type (WT) mice. Results Compared with the WT controls, CXCR3 KO mice showed less OVA-induced infiltration of inflammatory cells around airways and vessels, and less mucus production. CXCR3 KO mice failed to develop significant AHR. They also demonstrated significantly fewer CD8+ T and CD4+ T cells in BAL fluid, lower levels of TNFα and IL-4 in lung tissue measured by real-time RT-PCR and in BAL fluid by ELISA, with significant elevation of IFNγ mRNA and protein expression levels. Conclusions We conclude that CXCR3 is crucial for AHR and airway inflammation by promoting recruitment of more CD8+ T cells, as well as CD4+ T cells, and initiating release of proinflammatory mediators following OVA sensitization and challenge. CXCR3 may represent a novel therapeutic target for asthma.

Background: CD8+ T cells participate in airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and allergic pulmonary inflammation that are characteristics of asthma. CXCL10 by binding to CXCR3 expressed preferentially on activated CD8+ T cells, attracts T cells homing to the lung. We studied the contribution and limitation of CXCR3 to AHR and airway inflammation induced by ovalbumin (OVA) using CXCR3 knockout (KO) mice.Methods: Mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA. Lung histopathological changes, AHR, cellular composition and levels of inflammatory mediators in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, and lungs at mRNA and protein levels, were compared between CXCR3 KO mice and wild type (WT) mice.Results: Compared with the WT controls, CXCR3 KO mice showed less OVA-induced infiltration of inflammatory cells around airways and vessels, and less mucus production. CXCR3 KO mice failed to develop significant AHR. They also demonstrated significantly fewer CD8+ T and CD4+ T cells in BAL fluid, lower levels of TNFα and IL-4 in lung tissue measured by real-time RT-PCR and in BAL fluid by ELISA, with significant elevation of IFNγ mRNA and protein expression levels.Conclusions: We conclude that CXCR3 is crucial for AHR and airway inflammation by promoting recruitment of more CD8+ T cells, as well as CD4+ T cells, and initiating release of proinflammatory mediators following OVA sensitization and challenge. CXCR3 may represent a novel therapeutic target for asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Growing evidence has suggested that lncRNAs play a regulatory role in tumorigenesis. Dysregulation of a newly identified lncRNA (LINC00847) has been involved in several tumors. Nevertheless, the expression and roles of lncRNAs in skin melanoma remain unclear. Therefore, we attempted to investigate the expressions and roles of lncRNAs in this study., Materials and Methods: Expression levels of LINC00847 were quantified in tissue samples from the TCGA database and clinically recruited participants. LINC00847 was inhibited in cells by transfecting with si-LINC00847 or si-NC. Expressions of LINC00847 and miR-133a-3p were determined using RT-qPCR, and the TGFBR1 level was determined using Western blotting. Targeting sites of LINC00847 with miR-133a-3p and miR-133a-3p with TGFBR1 were predicted by bioinformatic tools and proved by dual-luciferase reporter system and RNA immunoprecipitation. Cell proliferation, invasion, and migration abilities were assessed using CCK8, cell colony formation, cell wound scratch, and transwell assay, respectively., Results: In both TCGA and clinical cohorts, the expression of LINC00847 was abnormally upregulated in skin melanoma tissues than that of benign nevus. Besides, LINC00847 expression increased more markedly in A375 and SK-MEL-28 cells than in normal epidermal melanocytes (HEMa-LP cells). LINC00847 knockdown remarkably restrained skin melanoma cell proliferation, metastasis, and wound healing rate. Furthermore, miR-133a-3p/TGFBR1 was the downstream target for LINC00847. LINC00847 negatively regulated miR-133a-3p expression in skin melanoma cells. Both miR-133a-3p inhibitors and TGFBR1 vector transfection reversed the effect of LINC00847 silence in skin melanoma cells., Conclusion: LINC00847 was highly expressed in skin melanoma, and its overexpression accelerated the malignant tumor behavior of skin melanoma cells. The miR-133a-3p /TGFBR1 axis was involved in the roles of LINC00847 in skin melanoma., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Sphingolipid metabolism plays important roles in maintaining cell growth and signal transduction. However, this pathway has not been investigated in keloid, a disease characterized by the excessive proliferation of fibroblasts., Methods: Based on the expression profiles of three datasets, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were explored between keloid fibroblasts and normal fibroblasts. Metabolism-related genes were obtained from a previous study. Then, enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis were performed for genes. Differences in metabolism-related pathways between keloid fibroblasts and normal fibroblasts were analyzed by the gene set variation analysis (GSVA). Quantitative PCR was used to confirm the expression of key genes in keloid fibroblast., Results: A total of 42 up-regulated co-DEGs and 77 down-regulated co-DEGs were revealed based on three datasets, and were involved in extracellular matrix structural constituent, collagencontaining extracellular matrix and sphingolipid metabolism pathway. A total of 15 metabolism- DEGs were screened, including serine palmitoyltransferase long chain base subunit (SPTLC) 3, UDP-glucose ceramide glucosyltransferase (UGCG) and sphingomyelin synthase 2 (SGMS2). All these three genes were enriched in the sphingolipid pathway. GSVA showed that the biosynthesis of glycosphingolipids (GSLs) in keloid fibroblasts was lower than that in normal fibroblasts. Quantitative PCR suggested SPTLC3, UGCG and SGMS2 were regulated in keloid fibroblasts., Conclusion: Sphingolipids metabolism pathway might take part in the disease progression of keloid by regulating keloid fibroblasts. SPTLC3, UGCG and SGMS2 might be key targets to investigate the underlying mechanism., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: As a tumor suppressor or oncogenic gene, abnormal expression of RUNX family transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) has been reported in various cancers., Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the role of RUNX3 in melanoma., Methods: The expression level of RUNX3 in melanoma tissues was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and the Oncomine database. Based on microarray datasets GSE3189 and GSE7553, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in melanoma samples were screened, followed by functional enrichment analysis. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was performed for RUNX3. DEGs that co-expressed with RUNX3 were analyzed, and the transcription factors (TFs) of RUNX3 and its co-expressed genes were predicted. The protein-protein interactions (PPIs) for RUNX3 were analyzed utilizing the GeneMANIA database. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) that could target RUNX3 expression, were predicted., Results: RUNX3 expression was significantly up-regulated in melanoma tissues. GSEA showed that RUNX3 expression was positively correlated with melanogenesis and melanoma pathways. Eleven DEGs showed significant co-expression with RUNX3 in melanoma, for example, TLE4 was negatively co-expressed with RUNX3. RUNX3 was identified as a TF that regulated the expression of both itself and its co-expressed genes. PPI analysis showed that 20 protein-encoding genes interacted with RUNX3, among which 9 genes were differentially expressed in melanoma, such as CBFB and SMAD3. These genes were significantly enriched in transcriptional regulation by RUNX3, RUNX3 regulates BCL2L11 (BIM) transcription, regulation of I-kappaB kinase/NFkappaB signaling, and signaling by NOTCH. A total of 31 miRNAs could target RUNX3, such as miR-326, miR-330-5p, and miR-373-3p., Conclusion: RUNX3 expression was up-regulated in melanoma and was implicated in the development of melanoma., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

An N-doped graphene aerogel (NGA) is used as a reactive container for growing MnO2 nanoparticles via a soaking-hydrothermal strategy. MnO2 nanoparticles pile up on the surface of reduced graphene oxide sheets with crosslinked structures serving as electrical conductors. Importantly, the NGA generates extra capacitance during the electrochemical process, which accomplishes a satisfactory compensation in the physical-chemical properties of MnO2. As a cathodic electrode for Zn-ion batteries, the MnO2/NGA exhibits a specific capacity of 275.8 mA h g-1 and pre-eminent cycling stability with a retention of 93.6% at 3 A g-1 after 1000 cycles. Meanwhile, the proposed electrode also shows a relatively high specific capacitance of 341 F g-1 for a supercapacitor in 1 M Na2SO4. Meanwhile, the long-term cycling stability shows only a slight decrease by 5.1% of the initial capacitance after 5000 continuous cycles at 3 A g-1, which indicates its superior electrochemical stability. Additionally, the assembled asymmetric supercapacitor also shows good electrochemical performance. This work highlights the extensive function of an N-doped graphene aerogel as a promising substrate for enhancing the electrochemical performance of MnO2, which opens the gate for wide potential applications of graphene aerogel composites emphasizing their complementary effects.