Prevention and treatment for radiation-induced skin injury during radiotherapy

The skin tissue has the largest area in the human body and functions as both a barrier and a defender.As such,it tends to be the first tissue to be damaged.Advances in medical technology provide prospects as well as side effects,for example,radiation therapy for cancer.With increasing cancer morbidity and radiation widely applied for cancer therapy,radiation-induced skin injury(RSI)has become a serious concern.In recent decades,research efforts have focused on the mechanisms underlying RSI.This review summarizes the mainstream opinions on these mechanisms,including the pathological,molecular biological,and cytobiological alterations.Radiationinduced reactive oxygen species(ROS),cytokines and involved signaling pathways are evaluated.Other relevant aspects include radiation-induced skin fibrosis(RSF)and radiation-related skin cell senescence.Moreover,we review strategies for the prevention and treatment in clinical and pre-clinical studies to support the treatment of RSI during radiotherapy.The prevention strategies include dose control,pre-irradiation instructions,and RSI assessments,while the main treatments include physical therapy,external-use dressings or creams,biological therapy and surgical reconstruction.

Treatment of radiation-induced brain injury with bisdemethoxycurcumin

Radiation therapy is considered the most effective non-surgical treatment for brain tumors.However,there are no available treatments for radiation-induced brain injury.Bisdemethoxycurcumin(BDMC)is a demethoxy derivative of curcumin that has anti-proliferative,anti-inflammatory,and anti-oxidant properties.To determine whether BDMC has the potential to treat radiation-induced brain injury,in this study,we established a rat model of radiation-induced brain injury by administe ring a single 30-Gy vertical dose of irradiation to the whole brain,followed by intraperitoneal injection of 500μL of a 100 mg/kg BDMC solution every day for 5 successive weeks.Our res ults showed that BDMC increased the body weight of rats with radiation-induced brain injury,improved lea rning and memory,attenuated brain edema,inhibited astrocyte activation,and reduced oxidative stress.These findings suggest that BDMC protects against radiationinduced brain injury.

TLD calibration and absorbed dose measurement in a radiation-induced liver injury model under a linear accelerator

The application of a thermoluminescent detector(TLD) for dose detection at the liver irradiation site in mice under linear accelerator precision radiotherapy and the use of a single high dose to irradiate the mouse liver to construct a biological model of a radiation-induced liver injury(RILD) in mice were to determine the feasibility of constructing a precision radiotherapy model in small animals under a linear accelerator. A 360° arc volumetric rotational intensity-modulated radiotherapy(VMAT) plan with a prescribed dose of 2 Gy was developed for the planned target volume(PTV) at the location of the TLD within solid water to compare the difference between the measured dose of TLD and the assessed parameters in the TPS system. The TLD was implanted in the livers of mice, and VMAT was planned based on TLD to compare the measured and prescribed doses. C57BL/6 J mice were randomly divided into control and 25-Gy radiation groups and were examined daily for changes in body weight. They were euthanized at 3 and 10 weeks after radiation, and the levels of liver serum enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) were measured to observe any pathological histological changes in the irradiated areas of the mouse liver. The measured values of solid underwater TLD were within ± 3% of the Dmean value of the evaluation parameter in the TPS system. The mice in the 25-Gy radiation group demonstrated pathological signs of radiation-induced liver injury at the site of liver irradiation. The deviation in the measured and prescribed doses of TLD in the mouse liver ranged from-1.5 to 6%;construction of an accurate model of RILD using the VMAT technique under a linear accelerator is feasible.

Therapeutic approach to emotional reactions accompanied with thermal skin injury–from basic to epidemiological research

In this editorial,we discuss the status of a therapeutic approach to emotional reactions accompanying thermal skin injuries.Burns are considered a major health problem,as well as an economic and social problem,with potentially devastating and life-changing consequences.They affect a wide range of patients with different damage mechanisms,varied depths,and localizations of the burns.The most common are thermal burns,with more than 11 million occurrences annually according to the World Health Organization data.Thermal skin injuries are among the most tragic and catastrophic injuries,almost unsurpassed in terms of severity,morbidity,and mortality,as well as functional,aesthetic,social,economic,and psychological consequences.Burn survivors face stress,anxiety,depression,low self-esteem,body deformity,social isolation,unemployment,financial burden,and family problems.The advances in acute burn care have allowed researchers and physicians to pay more attention to other effects of burns,focusing on psychological consequences in particular.Apart from the significant improvements in routine protocols,it seems useful to take care of psychological disturbances that occur simultaneously but may emerge as the most lasting outcome of those injuries.In that sense,various standards and additional approaches may be involved to achieve overall recovery.

RXRα agonist bexarotene attenuates radiation-induced skin injury by relieving oxidative stress

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of bexarotene in radiation-induced skin injury and elucidate underlying mechanism.Methods: Irradiated cellular and animal models were established using an X-ray linear accelerator. Cell viabilityand apoptosis were evaluated by CCK8 and flow cytometry. In vivo protective effect of bexarotene was measuredin irradiated SD rats. The antioxidant capacity of bexarotene was validated by DCF-DA method. The signalingpathways involved in bexarotene-mediated skin repair were enriched by RNA sequencing.Results: Bexarotene could significantly restore the proliferation and inhibit the apoptosis of WS1 cells with radiation damage (P < 0.05). Moreover, bexarotene could effectively shorten the process of skin damage andpromote skin repair in a rat model of radiation-induced skin injury (P < 0.05). Mechanistically, bexaroteneeffectively reduced the expression of RXRα (P < 0.05), thus leading to an early decrease in reactive oxygen species(ROS) after radiation exposure. Furthermore, a transcriptome analysis indicated that bexarotene-mediated recovery of radiation damage involves redox signaling, immune regulation, lipid metabolism and autophagy.Conclusion: Bexarotene is a promising therapeutic agent in the treatment of radiation-induced skin injury.

Rabbit model of radiation-induced lung injury

Objective:To explore the feasibility of establishing an animal model of chronic radiationinduced lung injury.Methods:Twenty-eight New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups(the right lung irradiation group,the whole lung irradiation group and the control group).Animal model of radiation-induced lung injury was established b) highdoes radiotherapy in the irradiation groups,then all rabbits underwent CT and pathological examinations at 1.2.4.8.12.16 weeks,respectively after radiation.Results:Within 4 weeks of irradiation,some rabbits in the right lung irradiation group and whole lung irradiation group died. CT and pathological examinations all showed acute radiation pneumonitis.At 8-12 weeks after irradiation,CT scanning showed ground glass samples signs,patchy shadows and fibrotic stripes. Pathological examination showed the fibrosis pulmonary alveolar wall thickened obviously. Conclusions:The clinical animal model of chronic radiation-induced lung injury which corresponds to practical conditions in clinic can be successfully established.

Correlation between miR-564, TGF-β1, and radiation-induced lung injury

Objective Our study aimed to analyze the expression of miR-564 and TGF-β1 in cancer tissues and the serum of patients with radiation-induced lung injury,and to investigate the relationship between them and radiation-induced lung injury.Methods In situ hybridization and real-time fluorescence quantitative method were used to detect the expression of miR-564.Additionally,immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)were performed to detect the expression of TGF-β1.Results The overall incidence of acute radiation pneumonia was 55.9%(100/179).The incidence of≥grade 2 radioactive pneumonia was 24.0%(43/179)and that of grade 1 was 31.8%(57/179).The expression of miR-564 in grade≥2 was slightly higher than that in patients without or with grade 1,but there was no statistical difference(P=0.86).The serum level and ratio of miR-564 in patients with grade≥2 were significantly higher than those without or with grade 1(P=0.005,P=0.025,respectively).The expression of TGF-β1 in grade≥2 was significantly higher than that of patients without or with grade 1(P=0.017).The serum levels of TGF-β1 in grade≥2 were significantly higher than those in patients without or with grade 1(P=0.038).Although the ratio of TGF-β1 in radiation pneumonia of grade≥2 was significantly higher than that of without or with grade 1,there was no significant difference(P=0.24).Moreover,patients with higher expression of miR-564 and lower expression of TGF-β1 had better prognosis.Conclusion MiR-564 and TGF-β1 are predictors of radiation-induced lung injury.Monitoring its changing trend can improve the accuracy of predicting radiation-induced lung injury.The levels and ratio of serum miR-564 and TGF-β1 in patients with radiation-induced lung injury are related to the severity of radiationinduced lung injury.

Neuron-specific enolase expression in a rat model of radiation-induced brain injury following vascular endothelial growth factor-modified neural stem cell transplantation

BACKGROUND： Previous studies have shown that transplantation of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）-modified neural stem cells （NSC） provides better outcomes, compared with neural stem cells, in the treatment of brain damage. OBJECTIVE： To compare the effects of VEGF-modified NSC transplantation and NSC transplantation on radiation-induced brain injury, and to determine neuron-specific enolase （NSE） expression in the brain. DESIGN, TIME, AND SETTING： The randomized, controlled study was performed at the Linbaixin Experimental Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, China from November 2007 to October 2008. MATERIALS： VEGF-modified C17.2 NSCs were supplied by Harvard Medical School, USA. Streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase-complex kit （Boster, China） and 5, 6-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester （Fluka, USA） were used in this study. METHODS： A total of 84 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to a blank control group （n = 20）, model group （n = 20）, NSC group （n = 20）, and a VEGF-modified NSC group （n = 24）. Rat models of radiation-induced brain injury were established in the model, NSC, and VEGF-modified NSC groups. At 1 week following model induction, 10 pL （5 ×10^4 cells/μL） VEGF-modified NSCs or NSCs were respectively infused into the striatum and cerebral cortex of rats from the VEGF-modified NSC and NSC groups. A total of 10μL saline was injected into rats from the blank control and model groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： NSE expression in the brain was detected by immunohistochemistry following VEGF-modified NSC transplantation. RESULTS： NSE expression was significantly decreased in the brains of radiation-induced brain injury rats （P 〈 0.05）. The number of NSE-positive neurons significantly increased in the NSC and VEGF-modified NSC groups, compared with the model group （P 〈 0.05）. NSE expression significantly increased in the VEGF-modified NSC group, compared with the NSC group, at 6 weeks following transplantation （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： VEGF-modified NSC transplantation increased NSE expression in rats with radiation-induced brain injury, and the outcomes were superior to NSC transplantation.

Radiation-induced brain injury after a conventional dose of intensity-modulated radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma:a case report and literature review

A 61-year-old female nasopharyngeal carcinoma patient was admitted to the hospital with sudden cognitive dysfunction one month after Volumetric Intensity Modulated Arc Therapy(VMAT)conventional dose radiotherapy,and the initial diagnosis was radiation-induced brain injury(RBI).After comprehensive treatment with steroid hormones,the patient’s condition rapidly improved.Typically,in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with VMAT,the incidence of RBI is extremely low when the temporal lobe dose is less than 65 Gy or 1%of the volume is less than 65 Gy.When this limit is exceeded,RBI may occur in varying degrees.However,in this case,even though the temporal lobe dose was under the prescribed limit,the patient still experienced RBI.The rare observations in this case can be used as a reference,and clinicians should seriously consider the possibility of RBI in similar cases.

Risk Factors of Neonatal Medical Adhesive-Related Skin Injury and Management of High-Risk Nodes

Objective:To analyze the risk factors of neonatal medical adhesive-related skin injury and put forward targeted preventive measures,so as to provide reference for the care and prevention of neonatal medical adhesive-related skin injuries.Methods:Using the convenience sampling method,262 neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit(NICU)of a tertiary general hospital in Wenzhou from April 2021 to May 2022 were selected as the study subjects.The incidence of medical adhesive-related skin injuries in these neonates was retrospectively analyzed.Results:Among the 262 children,43 cases had skin injuries,with an incidence rate of 16.4%.Single factor analysis showed that the occurrence of medical adhesive-related skin injury was related to gestational age,weight,electrocardiogram(ECG)monitoring,venous access,ambient temperature,and mechanical ventilation(P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression showed that gestational age,ECG monitoring,and ambient temperature were independent risk factors of medical adhesive-related skin injury(OR values were 0.700,0.431,and 6.365,respectively).Conclusion:The high incidence of neonatal medical adhesive-related skin injury may be caused by one or more factors.Clinical measures should be taken,such as selecting the appropriate type of adhesive according to gestational age and using skin-protecting membrane,minimizing ECG monitoring,etc.,to prevent the occurrence of neonatal medical adhesive-related skin injury.

Time-dependent Changes in CT of Radiation-induced Liver Injury:A Preliminary Study in Gastric Cancer Patients

In this study, the time-dependent changes on dynamic computed tomograph (CT) of radiation-induced liver injury in gastric cancer patients was examined.The CT images of 52 gastric cancer patients who had received chemoradiotherapies were reviewed on the PACS system.Dynamic CT scan was performed in all the subjects.Our results showed that 18 patients were found to have radiation-induced liver injury.The CT findings of radiation-induced liver injury in gastric cancer patients tend to show up one month after radiation treatment.The damaged area was of low density on all three phases, and then it was enhanced on portal vein phase or delay phase.The focal radiation reaction of liver without basic disease vanished 9-11 months later after treatment.We are led to conclude that dynamic CT is of help in the diagnosis of CRT-induced liver injury, and it may be the method of choice for following up the whole course of the CRT-induced liver injury, i.e., form hepatic damage to healing.The classification of CT findings we recommend can avoid the influence of technological factors, and thereby serve as a better guide for treatment of CRT-induced liver injury.

Prevention and treatment of radiation-induced lung injury by hydroxypiperquin phosphate: a clinical and experimental study

Objective: To evaluate the hydroxypiperquin phosphate (HPQP) as a modifier of radiation-induced injury in human and rat lungs. Methods: Sixty-five patients with lung cancer treated with conventional radiotherapy were divided into 2 groups randomly: Thirty cases were treated with HPQP and the others were in a control group. The changes of X - ray manifestation before, after and during taking drug were compared. An animal model of radiation-induced fibrosis of lungs was also established. Hydroxyproling (HP) content in lung tissue and the pathological changes in rat lungs were checked with microscope and electron microscope after 4 months and 6 months respectively. Results: The changes of lung X-ray manifestation in treatment group were much lighter than that in control group. The HP content and the change of pathology in the lungs of those rats with HPQP treatment were obviously less than that in control group. Conclusion: HPQP plays an important role in prevention and treatment of radiation-induced injury in lungs.

Olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation improves sympathetic skin responses in chronic spinal cord injury

Forty-three patients with chronic spinal cord injury for over 6 months were transplanted with bryonic olfactory ensheathing cells, 2-4 × 106, into multiple sites in the injured area under the sur-gical microscope. The sympathetic skin response in patients was measured with an electromyo-graphy/evoked potential instrument 1 day before transplantation and 3-8 weeks after trans-tion. Spinal nerve function of patients was assessed using the American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale. The sympathetic skin response was elicited in 32 cases before olfactory en-sheathing celltransplantation, while it was observed in 34 cases after transplantation. tantly, sympathetic skin response latency decreased significantly and amplitude increased cantly after transplantation. Transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells also improved American Spinal Injury Association scores for movement, pain and light touch. Our findings indicate that factory ensheathing celltransplantation improves motor, sensory and autonomic nerve functions in patients with chronic spinal cord injury.

Application of free vein skin flap on the anterior aspect of wrist in the case of finger injury with vessel and skin defect

Objective To introduce an effective reconstruction method for the finger injured with vessel and skin defect. Methods Free skin flap with skin vein was transplanted on the site of tissue defect, connecting by anastomosis the vein with artery or vein of the finger. Results Seven cases were treated with this method,among which 5 cases have sikin defect on the palm aspect of fingers, the rest have skin defect on the dorsal aspect skin of finger. All fingers survived with good shape and function. Conclusion This is a simple and effective method of finger reconstruction for the patients with defect of vessels and skin. 6 refs.

婴幼儿头皮医用粘胶相关性皮肤损伤防护方案的构建与应用

目的降低视频脑电图监测婴幼儿头皮医用粘胶相关性皮肤损伤。方法采用历史对照设计,将2018年1月至2019年12月入住癫痫监测单元行头皮视频脑电图监测的患儿856例纳入对照组,实施常规皮肤护理;将2021年1月至2022年12月入住癫痫监测单元行头皮视频脑电图监测的患儿851例纳入观察组,构建和实施医用粘胶相关性皮肤损伤防护方案。比较两组头皮医用粘胶相关性皮肤损伤发生率。结果观察组头皮医用粘胶相关性皮肤损伤发生率显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论婴幼儿头皮医用粘胶相关性皮肤损伤防护方案的应用,可有效降低婴幼儿头皮医用粘胶相关性皮肤损伤发生率。

ICU护士对急性皮肤衰竭认知体验的质性研究

目的探索ICU护士对急性皮肤衰竭的认知体验。方法采用目的抽样法,于2022年8月-12月在杭州市某三级甲等综合性医院ICU,对符合纳入标准的12名护士进行半结构式访谈,采用Colaizzi现象学研究方法,对访谈资料进行分析。结果共提炼出4个主题:感知到认识急性皮肤衰竭的益处、期望建立急性皮肤衰竭的护理管理规范、渴望拥有不同学科间的知识共享和意识到ICU家属关于急性皮肤衰竭的信息支持不足。结论护理管理者可通过重视临床护士对急性皮肤衰竭的认知管理、制订急性皮肤衰竭护理管理规范、构建围危重期家属关于急性皮肤衰竭的信息支持方案等策略,以促进危重症患者皮肤护理临床实践。同时,亦需积极探索皮肤器官视角下的多学科知识共享模式,促进皮肤护理的创新科学研究,实现危重症领域皮肤护理的高质量发展。

光电损伤后的皮肤特点及其护理

光电治疗通过启动皮肤的创伤修复过程,起到治疗疾病和皮肤美容的作用。本文总结了不同类型光电治疗后皮肤急性损伤期的变化,梳理术后皮肤损伤修复的过程和特点,以及术后皮肤护理方案的原则,拟减少术后不良反应的发生以及促进术后皮肤修复,减少停工期,提升患者满意度。

手术室口诀式项目管理预防原位肝移植患者术中获得性压力性损伤的效果

目的探讨手术室口诀式项目管理预防原位肝移植患者术中获得性压力性损伤(intraoperative acquired pressure injury,IAPI)的效果。方法选取2022年1月-2023年10月于笔者所在医院行肝移植手术的64例患者为研究对象。按照入院先后顺序,将2022年1月-12月的32例患者设为对照组,将2023年1月-10月的32例患者设为观察组。对照组实施术中IAPI风险常规管理,观察组采用“一看、二定、三查、四准、五巡”的口诀式项目管理,比较2组IAPI预防措施落实情况及IAPI发生率。结果观察组IAPI预防措施落实得分高于对照组(t=6.920,P<0.001),IAPI发生率低于对照组(χ2=6.093,P=0.014)。结论手术室口诀式项目管理可以促进肝移植患者IAPI预防措施的落实,降低术中获得性压力性损伤发生率,值得临床推广应用。

PICC病人医用粘胶相关性皮肤损伤预防的最佳证据总结

目的:总结经外周静脉置入中心静脉导管(PICC)置管病人医用粘胶相关性皮肤损伤(MARSI)的相关证据,为临床循证实践提供依据。方法:应用循证的方法,根据金字塔“6S”证据模型系统检索关于预防PICC病人MARSI的相关文献。检索时限为2010年1月1日—2023年1月30日,由2名研究者对证据进行质量评价和推荐级别的评定。结果:共纳入12篇高质量文献,提取到19条最佳证据,包含对病人评估、操作方法、敷料的选择及使用、培训与教育4个方面的内容。结论:总结了预防PICC置管病人MARSI的最佳证据,为医护人员在临床工作中预防提供循证依据。

转移皮瓣切口和标准切口应用于重型颅脑损伤行开颅去骨瓣减压术患者的疗效对比研究

分析转移皮瓣切口和标准切口应用于重型颅脑损伤行开颅去骨瓣减压术患者的疗效差异。选取钦州市第二人民医院2021年12月—2023年12月收治的80例重型颅脑损伤行开颅去骨瓣减压术的患者为研究对象,随机将患者分为两组,分别为对照组和试验组。对照组患者行标准切口,试验组患者行转移皮瓣切口,对比两组患者的治疗效果。结果显示,试验组患者颅内压低于对照组(P<0.05);试验组患者的手术时间明显短于对照组,抢救成功率明显高于对照组(P<0.05);试验组患者术后CT影像中突出骨窗的脑体积明显大于对照组(P<0.05);试验组术后第1、2、3个月的格拉斯哥预后评分均高于对照组(P<0.05)。研究发现,在重型颅脑损伤行开颅去骨瓣减压术中,转移皮瓣切口可有效地降低患者颅内压,缩短患者手术时间,可更好地暴露手术视野,促进患者恢复,具有较高的临床应用与推广价值。