To observe the effects of ursolic acid (UA) on insulin resistance and cell differentiation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and to explore the mechanisms.

To explore the effects and mechanism of ursolic acid in improving hepatic insulin resistance in KKAy mice with spontaneous type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical data of adult patients with total burn surface area (TBSA) greater than 50% in Guangzhou and explore the optimal fluid resuscitation protocols for these patients.

METHODSThe clinical data of 94 adult patients with a TBSA over 50% treated in our center during 1991-2010 were reviewed. and the former decade. Fluid resuscitation volume of various components in shock stage, urine volume, occurrence of visceral complications and mortality rate within 10 days after injury were compared between patients treated in 1991-1999 and those in 2000-2010.

RESULTSThe first 24-h crystalline colloidal fluid ratio, first 24-h infusion volume and the second 24-h crystalloid fluid coefficients were significantly greater in the patients treated in 2000-2010 than in those treated in 1991-1999. The visceral complications and mortality rate were significantly lower in the latter than in the former patients (7.69% vs 27.3% and 2.56% vs 18.18%, respectively, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONFor patients with extensive burns, an individualized fluid resuscitation regimen, an adequately high colloid/crystal rehydration ratio, and a greater total infusion volume according to the local climate of Guangzhou can be beneficial to reduce the incidence of visceral complications and the mortality rate.

Adult ; Burns ; therapy ; Female ; Fluid Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Resuscitation ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective: To study the effects of seawater immersion on the inflammatory response and oxygen free radical injury of rats with superficial-thickness scald at early stage. Methods: Seventy Wistar rats were divided into healthy control group (HC, n=7), pure scald group (PS, n=21), scald+ fresh water immersion group (SF, n=21), and scald+ seawater immersion group (SS, n=21) according to the random number table. Rats in group HC did not receive any treatment, while 5% total body surface area superficial partial-thickness scald was made on the back of rats in the latter three groups. Rats in group PS lived freely immediately post burn, while wounds on the back of rats in groups SF and SS were immersed into fresh water and seawater, respectively. Serum and full-thickness skin tissue in the center of wounds on the back of 7 rats in groups PS, SF, and SS at post immersion (injury) hour (PIH) 2, 4, and 6 were collected, respectively, while serum and full-thickness skin tissue at the same position of the 7 rats in group HC were collected at PIH 6 of rats in other groups. Morphology of skin tissue was observed with HE staining; tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) content in serum and skin tissue was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; superoxide dismutase (SOD) content in serum and skin tissue was determined by hydroxylamine method; malondialdehyde content in serum and skin tissue was determined by thiobarbituric acid method. Data were processed with analysis of variance of factorial design, one-way analysis of variance, Welch test, LSD test, and Tamhane test. Results: (1) Epidermal cells of skin tissue of rats in group HC arranged in order and continuously, and the dermis tissue and accessory structures were clear and complete. The skin layer and epidermis of wounds of rats in group PS had no significant change, but the edema of epidermis and dermis and infiltration of inflammatory cells enhanced over time at PIH 2, 4, and 6. The horny layer of epidermis of wounds of rats in group SF reduced, and the edema of epidermis and dermis and infiltration of inflammatory cells enhanced over time at PIH 2, 4, and 6; some epidermal cells disintegrated at PIH 6. The horny layer of epidermis of wounds of rats in group SS significantly reduced, along with the increase in disintegration of epidermal cells, the significant enhancement of edema of epidermis and dermis, and infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells over time at PIH 2, 4, and 6. (2) Compared with (247±27) pg/mL in group HC, the serum content of TNF-α of rats in group PS significantly increased at PIH 2 and 4 [respectively (675±122) and (367±54) pg/mL, P<0.05 or P<0.01] but significantly decreased at PIH 6 [(147±27) pg/mL, P<0.01]; the serum content of TNF-α of rats in group SF significantly decreased at PIH 6 [(90±24) pg/mL, P<0.01]; the serum content of TNF-α of rats in group SS significantly increased at PIH 2, 4, and 6 [respectively (1 646±58), (2 086±114), and (2 951±58) pg/mL, with P values below 0.01]. Compared with (364±123) U/mL in group HC, the serum content of SOD of rats in group PS significantly increased at PIH 2 and 4 [respectively (489±13) and (447±14) U/mL, with P values below 0.05]; the serum content of SOD of rats in group SF significantly decreased at PIH 6 [(282±13) U/mL, P<0.05]; the serum content of SOD of rats in group SS significantly increased at PIH 2 [(461±23) U/mL, P<0.05] but significantly decreased at PIH 4 and 6 [respectively (226±8) and (205±10) U/mL, with P values below 0.01]. Compared with that in group HC, the serum content of malondialdehyde of rats in groups PS, SF, and SS significantly increased at PIH 2, 4, and 6 (with P values below 0.01). (3) Compared with that in group HC, the TNF-α content in wound tissue of rats in groups PS and SS significantly increased at PIH 2, 4, and 6 (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the TNF-α content in wound tissue of rats in group SF significantly increased at PIH 2 and 4 (with P values below 0.01). Compared with that in group HC, the SOD content in wound tissue of rats in groups PS and SF significantly increased at PIH 2, 4, and 6 (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the SOD content in wound tissue of rats in group SS significantly increased at PIH 2 and 4 (with P values below 0.01). Compared with that in group HC, the malondialdehyde content in wound tissue of rats in groups PS, SF, and SS significantly increased at PIH 2, 4, and 6 (with P values below 0.01). Conclusions Seawater immersion can enhance the inflammatory response and oxygen free radical injury of wounds and the whole body of rats with superficial partial-thickness scald at early stage.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between the preoperative neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio(NLR) and postoperative delirium (POD)in elderly patients.Methods:Nine hundred and thirty-seven patients, undergoing elective knee or hip arthroplasty under combined spinal and epidural anesthesia, in whom Mini-Mental State Examination was completed at 1 day before operation, with Mini-Mental State Examination score≥24, were selected. Elbow venous blood samples were collected before surgery, neutrophils and lymphocytes were counted, and the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes was calculated.Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 2 ml was extracted after successful spinal-epidural puncture for measurement of preoperative amyloid beta40 (Aβ40), amyloid beta42 (Aβ42), total Tau (T-tau), and phosphorylated Tau (P-tau) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. POD was assessed by Confusion Assessment Method, and the severity of POD was assessed by the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale.The logistic regression equation was used to identify the risk factors for POD, and the mediating effect of CSF biomarkers was analyzed. Sensitivity analysis was used to test the stability of the results. The receiver operating characteristic curve was introduced, and the area under the curve was calculated to evaluate the accuracy of preoperative NLR in predicting POD.Results:A total of 853 patients were finally enrolled in this study, and 17.4% patients developed POD. Logistic regression analysis showed that the increased levels of NLR ( OR 1.141, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 1.033-1.260, P=0.010), P-tau in CSF ( OR 1.093, 95% CI 1.076-1.110, P<0.001) and T-tau in CSF( OR 1.003, 95% CI 1.001-1.005, P<0.001) were risk factors for POD, while the increased level of Aβ42 in CSF( OR 0.998, 95% CI 0.997-1.000, P=0.028) was a protective factor for POD after adjusting for multiple confounding factors. Analysis of mediating effect: T-tau and P-tau in CSF were the mediating factors in the relationship between NLR and POD with the mediating effects of 0.011 9 and 0.020 0 respectively, and the proportion of mediating effect was 46.1% and 53.1% respectively.The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the area under the curve of NLR and combination of NLR and CSF biomarkers in predicting POD was 0.711 and 0.939 respectively. Conclusions:Increased preoperative NLR level is a risk factor for POD, and combination of NLR and CSF biomarkers shows a higher accuracy in predicting POD. T-tau and P-tau in CSF serve as the key mediators in the relationship between NLR and POD.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between preoperative levels of serum uric acid (SUA) and postoperative delirium (POD).Methods:Seven hundred and fifty patients of either sex, aged 50-90 yr, with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ, scheduled for elective knee replacement under spinal-epidural anesthesia, were selected.Venous blood samples were collected before anesthesia and levels of SUA were determined by enzyme-coupled assay.L 3-4 was selected as the puncture space, and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens were obtained from the subarachnoid space for determination of concentrations of β-amyloid 42, total tau (t-tau) and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The patients were divided into hyperuric acid group (group HS) and non-hyperuric acid group (group NS) according to clinical diagnostic criteria of hyperuricemia, and into POD group (group POD) and non-POD group (group NPOD) according to the occurrence of POD.Logistic regression was used to identify the risk factors for POD.The mediating effect of CSF biomarkers was analyzed.The efficacy of SUA and CSF biomarker concentrations in predicting POD was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results:A total of 699 patients were finally enrolled in the study, and the incidence of POD was 21.5%.The results of logistic regression analysis after adjusting for multiple confounding factors, such as age, sex, years of education, Mini-Mental State Examination score, smoking history, drinking history, hypertension and diabetes history, showed that increased concentrations of SUA and p-tau and t-tau in CSF were risk factors for POD ( P<0.05). The results of mediation analysis showed that the concentrations of p-tau and t-tau in CSF were the mediating factors of the relationship between SUA and POD, with mediating effects of 0.000 301 (95% confidence interval 0-0.000 152) and 0.000 236 (95% confidence interval 0-0.000 092), respectively, and the intermediary proportion were 14.9% and 11.7%, respectively.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of SUA in predicting POD was 0.774 ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Increased preoperative SUA is a risk factor for POD, and the accuracy of predicting POD is high, and concentrations of p-tau and t-tau in CSF are mediators of SUA affecting POD.