Recently studies have shown that ketamine given to patients under mechanical ventilation and background anesthetics without adversely altering cerebral hemodynamics. More studies have also shown ketamine has neuroprotective effects. The main mechanisms may involve changing the expression of apoptosis-regulating proteins, inhibiting the toxicibility of excitatory amino acid and decreasing Ca2+ influx by blockade of NMDA receptors activation. It can also inhibit proinflammatory cytokine production induced by tissue ischemia and affect the protein kinase phosphorylations related to cerebral ischemia, etc..

Objective To study the effects of lidocaine on inflammatory mediators and myocardial enzymes in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB).Methods Twenty patients underging OPCAB were randomly divided into 2 groups of L and C with 10 cases each. After anesthesia induction, group L was given a bolus of lidocaine 2 mg/kg, which was followed by an infusion of lidocaine 2 mg·kg~(-1)·h~(-1) till the end of operation. Group C was given normal saline instead of lidocaine as the control. Blood samples were taken for the measurements of TNF-a, IL-8, SOD, MDA, cTnⅠ, CK-MB and MYO. The hemodynamics, early postoperative clinical informations and ICU and hospital stay were recorded. Results The increases of TNF-α and IL-8 were significiently less in group L than those in group C(P<0.01 or P<0.05). MDA at 24 h after operation was higher in group C than that in group L(P<0.05). The increases of CK-MB and cTnⅠ at 24 h and 48 h after operation were significiently less in group L than those in group C(P<0. 01 or P <0. 05). The ICU and hospital stays were shorter in group L than those in group C(P<0. 05). Conclusion Continuous infusion of lidocaine during OPCAB can decrease the inflammatory mediators and myocardial enzymes and protect the myocardium.

Objective Role of melanocortin receptor 4 (MCAR) in excitatory amino acid release from rat astrocytes in spinal cord. Methods Astrocytes were isolated from the spinal cord of newborn pathogen-free Wistar rats ( 1-3 days after birth) and cultured in serum-free Neurobasal/B27 liquid culture medium. After 4 passages the primary cultured astrocytes were randomly divided into 3 groups (6 wells each): group Ⅰ control (group C); group Ⅱ the astrocytes were exposed to TNF-α 10 μg/L (group T) and group Ⅲ the astrocytes were exposed to TNF-α 10 μg/L and HS014 (selective MC4R antagonist) 1 μmol/L (group TH). The astrocytes were incubated at 37 ℃ for 3 h. The supernatant was collected for determination of glutamic acid (Glu) and aspartic acid (Asp)concentrations by HPLC-MS/MS. Results TNF-α significantly increased Glu and Asp release from astrocytes in group T as compared with group C. The Glu and Asp concentrations were significantly lower in group TH than in group T. Conclusion MG4R is involved in the excitatory amino acid release from astrocytes in the spinal cord.

Objective To evaluate the role of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in sevofluraneinduced release of inflammatory factors in mouse microglias.Methods Microglial cells obtained from newborn C57BL/6 mice (aged 2-3 days) were seeded in 24-well plates (density 1 × 105 cells/ml, 1 ml/well) , a total of 80 wells.The cells were randomly divided into 4 groups using a random number table (n =20 each) : control group (group C);sevoflurane group (group S);NF-κB selective inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) group (group P);PDTC + sevoflurane group (group P +S).In S and P+S groups, 4.1％ sevoflurane was inhaled for 6 h.In P+S group, 10 μmol/L PDTC was added at 1 h before sevoflurane inhalation.At 6 h of incubation with sevoflurane, NF-κB activity and expression and levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were determined.Results Compared with group C, the NF-κB activity and levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly increased in group S, and no significant change in the above parameters was found in the other two groups.Compared with group S, the NF-κB activity and levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly decreased in group P+S.There was no significant difference in NF-κB expression between the four groups.Conclusion NF-κB mediates sevoflurane-induced release of inflammatory factors in mouse microglias.

Human trophoblast cells were isolated and cultured in vitro in order to investigate possible pathogenesis of intrauterine infection caused by HCMV. Trophoblast cells were obtained by compound enzymes digestion and discontinuous percoll gradient. Cells and purity were identified by using immunocytochemistry assay with anti-CK7, Vim and beta-hCG antibodies. HCMV AD169 strain replication in isolated trophoblast cells and cell apoptosis were detected at different time points post infection (p.i.). The results showed that highly purified trophoblast cells were obtained. Specific virus replication was increased dramatically at the 24th h p.i., and then increased slowly during 48 h and 72 h. Apoptosis rate of trophoblast cells infected with HCMV was (34.68+/-3.14)% at 24th h p.i., while that in control group was (15.32+/-2.34)% (P<0.05). It was suggested that highly purified trophoblast cells can be isolated by the simplified cell purification method. HCMV can infect human trophoblast cells, and be quickly replicated, resulting in the accelerated apoptosis of human trophoblast cells during early time.

The present study examined von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels and ADAMTS13 activity in pregnant and severe preeclamptic women in order to shed light on the prothrombotic state in severe preeclampsia. Thirty healthy women of childbearing age, 22 second trimester pregnant women, 30 third trimester pregnant women and 10 severe preeclamptic patients were recruited in this study. ADAMTS13 activity was determined by the FRETS-vWF73 assay and vWF antigen (vWF:Ag) levels by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences in plasma vWF antigen levels between the severe preeclamptic and third trimester pregnant women, between third and second trimester pregnant women (P<0.05). The third trimester pregnant women had significantly lower plasma ADAMTS13 activity than second trimester pregnant women (P<0.05). Nevertheless, no significant differences in plasma ADAMTS13 activity were found between severe preeclamptic patients and the third trimester pregnant women (P>0.05). In conclusion, plasma ADAMTS13 activity is normal in severe preeclampsia despite the increased vWF:Ag levels. Prothrombotic state is involved in the pathogenesis of severe preeclampsia, as a result of endothelial injury.

Objective To evaluate the nutritional status of morbid obesity (MO) before and after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), and the safety of LAGB.Methods LAGB was performed in 15 cases from Jun.2003 to Nov.2003.Patients′ nutritional parameters were determined before and 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively.Results There was a significant reduction of weight and body mass index (BMI) ( P 0.05).Conclusion No major nutritional deficiencies were found following LAGB.It is an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity.

The superiority of the cumulative outcomes of day 5/6 embryo transfer to those of day 2/3 embryo transfer in infertile couples has been debated.This retrospective study included data collected from 1051 patients from July 2011 to June 2014.Multiple maternal baseline covariates were subjected to propensity score matching analysis,and each day 5/6 group woman was matched to one day 2/3 group woman.A systematic meta-analysis was conducted to validate the results.After matching was completed,217 patients on the day 2/3 group were matched with those on the day 5/6 group,and no significant differences in the baseline characteristics were observed between the two groups.The cumulative pregnancy rate (57.14％ vs.53.46％,OR 1.16,95％ CI 0.79-1.70) and cumulative live birth rate (53.00％ vs.49.77％,OR 1.14,95％ CI 0.78-1.66) of day 5/6 embryo transfers were higher than those of day 2/3 embryo transfers,but this difference was not significant.The mean cycles per live birth and mean days per live birth in the day 5/6 group were significantly lower than those in the day 2/3 group.This study demonstrated that day 5/6 embryo transfer is a more cost-effective and time-efficient policy than day 2/3 embryo transfer to produce a live baby.

Human trophoblast cells were isolated and cultured in vitro in order to investigate possible pathogenesis of intrauterine infection caused by HCMV.Trophoblast cells were obtained by compound enzymes digestion and discontinuous percoll gradient.Cells and purity were identified by using immunocytochemistry assay with anti-CK7,Vim and β-hCG antibodies.HCMV AD169 strain replication in isolated trophoblast cells and cell apoptosis were detected at different time points post infection(p.i.).The results showed that highly purified trophoblast cells were obtained.Specific virus replication was increased dramatically at the 24th h p.i.,and then increased slowly during 48 h and 72 h.Apoptosis rate of trophoblast cells infected with HCMV was(34.68±3.14)% at 24th h p.i.,while that in control group was(15.32±2.34)%(P<0.05).It was suggested that highly purified trophoblast cells can be isolated by the simplified cell purification method.HCMV can infect human trophoblast cells,and be quickly replicated,resulting in the accelerated apoptosis of human trophoblast cells during early time.

The present study examined von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels and ADAMTS13 activity in pregnant and severe preeclamptic women in order to shed light on the prothrombotic state in severe preeclampsia. Thirty healthy women of childbearing age, 22 second trimester pregnant women, 30 third trimester pregnant women and 10 severe preeclamptic patients were recruited in this study. ADAMTS13 activity was determined by the FRETS-vWF73 assay and vWF antigen (vWF:Ag) levels by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences in plasma vWF antigen levels between the severe preeclamptic and third trimester pregnant women, between third and second trimester pregnant women (P<0.05). The third trimester pregnant women had significantly lower plasma ADAMTS13 activity than second trimester pregnant women (P<0.05). Nevertheless, no significant differences in plasma ADAMTS13 activity were found between severe preeclamptic patients and the third trimester pregnant women (P>0.05). In conclusion, plasma ADAMTS13 activity is normal in severe preeclampsia despite the increased vWF:Ag levels. Prothrombotic state is involved in the pathogenesis of severe preeclampsia, as a result of endothelial injury.
ADAM Proteins ; blood ; metabolism ; ADAMTS13 Protein ; Adult ; Blood Coagulation ; physiology ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Pre-Eclampsia ; blood ; enzymology ; physiopathology ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Young Adult ; von Willebrand Factor ; metabolism