How Does Human Amniotic Membrane Help Major Burn Patients Who Need Skin Grafting: New Experiences

Abstract The Third Military Medical University (TMMU) formula is widely used in fluid resuscitation in China. However, the actual volume needs usually exceed the prediction provided by the TMMU formula in major burn patients with a high proportion of full-thickness burn wounds. This retrospective study included 149 adult major burn patients (≥40% TBSA) who were admitted to the Burn Department, Southwest Hospital from 2014 to 2020 and received appropriate fluid resuscitation by the TMMU protocol. The actual volume infused in the first 48 hours postburn was compared to the estimation by the TMMU formula. A new fluid volume prediction formula was developed by multivariate linear regression analysis. The mean fluid requirements were 2.35 ml/kg/% TBSA and 1.75 ml/kg/% TBSA in the first and second 24 hours postburn, respectively. The TMMU formula underestimated the fluid requirement, and its prediction accuracy was 54.1% and 25.8% for the first and second 24 hours, respectively. The proportion of full-thickness burn wound was found to be associated with the fluid requirements postburn. A revised multifactorial formula consisting of the burn index, body weight, and inhalation injury was developed. Using the revised formula, the prediction reliability of resuscitation fluid volume improved to 65.3% and 61.1% in the first and second 24 hours, respectively. The TMMU formula showed low accuracy in predicting fluid requirements among major burn patients. A revised formula based on burn index was developed to provide better guidance for initiative fluid resuscitation for major burns by the TMMU protocol.

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The Antibacterial Activity of Human Amniotic Membrane against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Associated with Urinary Tract Infections: New Insights from Normal and Cancerous Urothelial Models

Biomedicines ◽

10.3390/biomedicines9020218 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 218

Author(s):

Taja Železnik Ramuta ◽

Larisa Tratnjek ◽

Aleksandar Janev ◽

Katja Seme ◽

Marjanca Starčič Erjavec ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antibacterial Activity ◽

Urinary Tract ◽

Urinary Tract Infections ◽

Amniotic Membrane ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Basic Knowledge ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Human Amniotic Membrane ◽

Multidrug Resistant Bacteria ◽

Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) represent a serious global health issue, especially due to emerging multidrug-resistant UTI-causing bacteria. Recently, we showed that the human amniotic membrane (hAM) could be a candidate for treatments and prevention of UPEC and Staphylococcus aureus infections. However, its role against multidrug-resistant bacteria, namely methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE), carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa has not yet been thoroughly explored. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that the hAM homogenate had antibacterial activity against 7 out of 11 tested multidrug-resistant strains, the greatest effect was on MRSA. Using novel approaches, its activity against MRSA was further evaluated in a complex microenvironment of normal and cancerous urinary bladder urothelia. Even short-term incubation in hAM homogenate significantly decreased the number of bacteria in MRSA-infected urothelial models, while it did not affect the viability, number, and ultrastructure of urothelial cells. The hAM patches had no antibacterial activity against any of the tested strains, which further exposes the importance of the hAM preparation. Our study substantially contributes to basic knowledge on the antibacterial activity of hAM and reveals its potential to be used as an antibacterial agent against multidrug-resistant bacteria.

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A Novel Phenotype of Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa with Transient Skin Fragility and Predominant Ocular Involvement Responsive to Human Amniotic Membrane Eyedrops

Genes ◽

10.3390/genes12050716 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 716

Author(s):

Daniele Castiglia ◽

Paola Fortugno ◽

Angelo Giuseppe Condorelli ◽

Sabina Barresi ◽

Naomi De Luca ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amniotic Membrane ◽

Epidermolysis Bullosa ◽

Ocular Involvement ◽

Human Amniotic Membrane ◽

Vitro Assay ◽

Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa ◽

Mucosal Involvement ◽

Skin Fragility ◽

Laminin 332

Junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous skin fragility disorder frequently caused by mutations in genes encoding the epithelial laminin isoform, laminin-332. JEB patients also present mucosal involvement, including painful corneal lesions. Recurrent corneal abrasions may lead to corneal opacities and visual impairment. Current treatments are merely supportive. We report a novel JEB phenotype distinguished by the complete resolution of skin fragility in infancy and persistent ocular involvement with unremitting and painful corneal abrasions. Biallelic LAMB3 mutations c.3052-5C>G and c.3492_3493delCG were identified as the molecular basis for this phenotype, with one mutation being a hypomorphic splice variant that allows residual wild-type laminin-332 production. The reduced laminin-332 level was associated with impaired keratinocyte adhesion. Then, we also investigated the therapeutic power of a human amniotic membrane (AM) eyedrop preparation for corneal lesions. AM were isolated from placenta donors, according to a procedure preserving the AM biological characteristics as a tissue, and confirmed to contain laminin-332. We found that AM eyedrop preparation could restore keratinocyte adhesion in an in vitro assay. Of note, AM eyedrop administration to the patient resulted in long-lasting remission of her ocular manifestations. Our findings suggest that AM eyedrops could represent an effective, non-invasive, simple-to-handle treatment for corneal lesions in patients with JEB and possibly other EB forms.

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