Objective To assess the relationship between acute exposure to gaseous air pollutants (SO2, NO2) and daily mortality in Shanghai. Methods Semi-parametric generalized additive model was used to analyze the relationship between SO2/NO2 concentrations and daily death numbers from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2004 in the urban area of Shanghai after adjustment for the long-term trend of death, weather conditions, and "days of the week" effect. Results An increase of 10 ?g/m3 of SO2 could increase the total mortality, cardiovascular disease mortality and respiratory disease mortality by 1.25%(95%CI: 0.85%-1.65%), 1.45%(95%CI: 0.86%-2.04%) and 1.71%(95%CI: 0.72%-2.71%) respectively; as for an increase of 10 ?g/m3 of NO2, the mortalities could be increased by 1.04%(95%CI: 0.72%-1.35%), 1.05%(95%CI: 0.59%-1.51%) and 1.43%(95%CI: 0.65%-2.21%) respectively. Conclusion The air SO2, NO2 of present levels in Shanghai have an adverse effect on the daily mortality of residents.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous CT-guided puncture and steroid injection for the treatment of lumbar intraspinal synovial cysts (LISCs).Methods A patient with clinical symptom of LISCs was undergone percutaneous CT-guided lumbar synovial cyst puncture. After aspiration of the content and steroid injection were accomplished, visual analogue scale was used to evaluate the pain of the patient before and after the treatment.Results Excellent pain relief after aspiration and steroid injection was obtained with the symptom disappearing 4 days after the treatment.Conclusions Aspiration and steroid injection can reduce the pain of the patient with lumbar intraspinal synovial cysts,and it should be the frist choice of non-surgical treatment.

Objective To identify the short and long-term therapeutic benefits of CT-guided transforaminal epidural steroid injections in lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods Thirty six patients with lumbar spinal stenosis shown by CT underwent CT-guided transforaminal epidural steroid injections because of irresponsible to conservative treatment. Patients were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) before the initial injection, at 2 weeks and 1 year after the injection.Results All patients were followed up for 2 weeks and 1 year. 19 ( 52.8%) patients had successful short-term outcome, and 15 ( 41.6%) had long-term outcome. 15 ( 41.6%) patients satisfied with the short-term result and 12 (33.3%) were satisfactory with the long-term result.Conclusions CT-guided transforaminal epidural steroid injection may reduce the pain and improve the quality of life in some patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

Objective To investigate the effects of different doses of dexmedetomidine pretreat-ment on cardiac toxicity of bupivacaine in rats.Methods Forty eight adult male SD rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=12):saline control group (group C),dexmedetomi-dine 5 μg/kg group(group D5),dexmedetomidine 10 μg/kg group(group D10)and dexmedetomidine 1 5 μg/kg group(group D1 5 ).A Ⅱ-lead electrocardiogram(ECG)was continuously monitored,the femoral artery was cannulated for direct measurement of MAP and the femoral vein was cannulated for infusion of drugs.Groups D5,D10 and D1 5 were received infusion of dexmedetomidine 5,10 and 1 5μg/kg respectively 1 5 minutes before administration of bupivacaine,while the equal volume of saline was given in group C,then all rats received infusion 0.75% bupivacaine at the rate of 2 mg·kg-1· min-1 until asystole occurred.The doses of bupivacaine and the times of bupivacaine-induced convul-sions,arrhythmia and asystole were recorded respectively,and the myocardial concentration of bupiv-acaine was observed.Results Compared with group C,the doses of bupivacaine and the times of bupivacaine-induced convulsions,arrhythmia and asystole were all increased in groups D5,D10 and D1 5 (P <0.05).Compared with group D5,the above parameters were increased in groups D10 and D1 5 (P <0.05 ).There was no statistical significance of the above parameters between groups D10 and group D1 5.Conclusion Dexmedetomidine pretreatment can raise the threshold toxic dose of bupi-vacaine,delay the time of occurrence of cardiotoxicity of bupivacaine,so that to prevent the cardiac toxicities of bupivacaine in rats,and it produces a dose-dependent protective effect within a certain dose range.

AIM:To investigate whether propofol can alter the pulmonary inflammation induced by severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)in rats during its early period.METHODS:Seventy-two adult male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into nine groups with 8 animals in each group:sham group,SAP 30,60,120,360 min groups and propofol treatment 30,60,120,360 min groups.The preparation of SAP were induced by retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate into the pancreatic duct of rats.And the treatment groups received propofol with doses of 150 ?g?kg-1?min-1 injected continually immediately in vena caudalis after the preparation of ASP were made.Rats were sacrificed at different time points,and the level of AMY and LIP,the wet dry weight ratio(W/D)of pulmonary and pancreatic tissue,the pathological change of pulmonary and pancreatic tissue were examined.RESULTS:Water content and pathological score of pulmonary tissue were decreased significantly within 360 minutes after reproduction of SAP were received propofol(both P0.05).CONCLUSION:propofol can alleviate pulmonary inflammation induced by severe acute pancreatitis in its early period.But propofol can not alleviate the injury of pancreatitis tissue.

Objective To investigate the effect of intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine on spinal cord neurons apoptosis in diabetic neuropathic rats.Methods Thirty-two healthy male Sprague-Daw-ley rats weighing 220-300 g,8 normal rats randomly served as control group (group C),the other rats were intraperitoneal injection 1% streptozotocin (STZ)60 mg/kg to induce diabetic neuropathic (DN),and last induced thirty-seven diabetic neuropathic rats.group C and diabetic neuropathic rats administer intrathecal catheter,respectively.Twenty-four rats in which DN was successfully intrathe-cal catheter were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=8):hyperbaric bupivacaine group (group HB), isobaric bupivacaine group (group IB),glucose group (group G).Hyperbaric bupivacaine 10 μl were injected intrathecally in groups C and HB respectively,isobaric lidocaine 10 μl were injected intrathe-cally in group IB,10% glucose 10 μl were injected intrathecally in group G,once daily for 3d.After rats each administration 2 min,motor block duration were recorded;The paw withdrawal threshold to von Frey filament stimulation (PWT)were measured before induced diabetes model (T1 ),before in-jected intrathecally (T2 ),after 30 min administered 1 d (T3 ),2 d (T4 ),3 d (T5 )and end administered 4 d (T6 ).All rats were sacrificed at T6 and their lumbar intumescential spinal cord tissue were re-moved for microscopic examination.And using TUNEL assay to measure spinal neuronal apoptosis. Results PWT was lower at T2-5 in groups HB,IB and G comparing with T1 (P <0.05 ).Comparing with group C,the motor block duration was significantly prolonged(P <0.05)and spinal cord neuro-nal apoptosis cells were increased(P <0.05)in group HB.Comparing with group IB,the motor block duration was significantly prolonged(P <0.05)and spinal cord neuronal apoptosis cells were increased (P <0.05)in group HB,too.PWT was increased at T6 in group HB at T2-T5 (P <0.05).Group G did not appear motor block and spinal cord neuronal apoptosis.Conclusion Intrathecally hyperbaric bupi-vacaine can promote spinal cord neuronal apoptosis in diabetic neuropathic rats.

Objective To investigate the effects of different duration hypotension thresholds on p-Tau-181 and Aβ-42 protein expression and cognition in rats. Methods Thirty-nine healthy male SD rats were randomly di-vided into 4 groups:the control group(group C,n=9),the hypotension group(groupA1、A2、A3 ,n=10). The blood pressure of groupA1、A2、A3 was measured in different time of 2 h、4 h、6 h ,for 5 days. The antihyperten-sive group of mean arterial pressure(MAP)were maintained in the 50~55 mmHg safe range. Morris water maze was used to detect the spatial learning and memory ability of rats. The levels of Aβ42 and p-Tau-181 were detected by ELISA. Results There was no significant difference in mortality of rats in each group (P > 0.05). Compared with the group C,the escape latency and swimming distance of A2 group and A3 group were increased(P<0.05). In 3~7 days after operation,the cerebrospinal fluid P-Tau-181 and Aβ42 protein expression increased in the A2 group and A3 group compared with the A1 group(P<0.05). The escape latency and swimming distance of the A2 group and the A3 group were significantly longer than those in the control group. Aβ42 and p-Tau-181 were signifi-cantly increased in A3 group(P < 0.05). Compared with the A2 group,the increase of Aβ42 and p-Tau-181 in the A3 group was not significant(P<0.05). Conclusion Long-term controlled hypotension may lead to postoper-ative cognitive dysfunction which may relate to the increase of Aβ42 and p-Tau-181 protein expression.

Heart Atria ; Humans ; Speech ; Tachycardia

Objective To evaluate the effect of hyperbaric factor on lidocaine-induced apoptosis in spinal neurons in rats with diabetic neuropathic pain.Methods Healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 220-300 g,were used in the study.Diabetic neuropathic pain was induced by high-sugar high-fat diet + intraperitoneal 1％ streptozotocin (STZ) 30 mg/kg and confirmed by blood glucose level ＞ 16.65 mmol/L at 3 days after STZ injection and then intrathecal catheter was placed.Twenty-four rats with diabetic neuropathic pain in which IT catheters were successfully implanted were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =8 each):hyperbaric lidocaine group (group HL),isobaric lidocaine group (group IL),and glucose group (group G).Another 8 rats in which IT catheters were successfully inserted served as control group (group C).2％ hyperbaric lidocaine 10 μl (in C and HL groups),2％ isobaric lidocaine 10 μl (in group IL),or 10％ glucose 10 μl (in group G) was injected intrathecally once a day for 3 consecutive days.The duration of motor block was recorded at 2 min after each administration.The paw withdrawal threshold to von Frey filament stimulation (PWT) was measured before STZ injection (T1),before IT injection (T2),at 30 min after administration on 1st,2nd and 3rd days and on day 5 after the end of administration (T3-6).All the rats were sacrificed at T6 and their L4,5 segments of the spinal cord were removed for microscopic examination.The apoptosis in spinal neurons was detected using TUNEL assay.Results Compared with the baseline value at T1,PWT was significantly decreased at T2-5 in HL,IL and G groups.PWT was significantly higher at T6 than at T2-5 in group HL.Compared with group C,the duration of motor block was significantly prolonged and the apoptotic index was increased in group HL.Compared with group IL,the duration of motor block was significantly prolonged and the apoptotic index was increased in group HL.Conclusion Hyperbaric factor can promote lidocaine-induced apoptosis in spinal neurons in rats with diabetic neuropathic pain.

Objective To evaluate the effect of stellate ganglion block (SGB) on postoperative synaptic structure in hippocampal CA3 region in aged rats.Methods Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 20-22 months,weighing 550-650 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =24 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),operation group (group O) and SGB + operation group (group SGB).Group SGB received right SGB with 0.25％ bupivacaine 0.15 ml.Groups O and SGB underwent 30 min of exploratory laparotomy starting from 15 min after the end of administration.Y-maze test was performed on 1 day after operation in 6 rats chosen from each group for assessment of cognitive function.The frequency of standard training and standard time were recorded.Six rats were chosen from each group on 1,3 and 7 days after operation and sacrificed and the hippocampal CA3 region was isolated for microscopic examination and for measurement of synaptic structure.Results Compared with group C,the standard time was significantly prolonged,and the frequency of standard training was increased in groups O and SGB,the width of synaptic cleft was increased,the thickness of post-synaptic density was decreased,the length of active zones was shortened,and the curvature of the synaptic interface was decreased on 1,3 and 7 days after operation in group O (P ＜ 0.05),and no significant changes were found in each synaptic structure parameter in group SGB (P ＞ 0.05).Compared with group O,the standard time was significantly shortened,the frequency of standard training was decreased,the width of synaptic cleft was decreased,the thickness of the post-synaptic density was increased,the length of active zones was prolonged,and the curvature of the synaptic interface was increased on 1,3 and 7 days after operation in group SGB (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which SGB improves the postoperative cognitive dysfunction in aged rats may be related to inhibition of changes of synaptic structure in hippocampal CA3 region.