Objective To evaluate the effect of sevoflurane postconditioning on microRNA-133a (miR-133a) expression during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in mice.Methods Thirty adult male C57 mice,weighing 20-30 g,were randomized to 3 groups (n =10 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),I/R group,and sevoflurane postconditioning group (group SP).In I/R and SP groups,hearts from adult male C57 mice were exposed and subjected to 30 min of ischemia and 180 min of reperfusion in anesthetized mice according to the method described by Das et al.In group C,only thoracotomy was performed without ligation of the coronary artery.In group SP,2.4％ sevoflurane was inhaled for 5 min starting from the onset of reperfusion to perform sevoflurane postconditioning.At 180 min of reperfusion,blood samples from the femoral vein were collected for determination of serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) activities using the colorimetric method.The mice were then sacrificed,and myocardial specimens were obtained for determination of myocardial infarct size,miR133a and caspase-9 mRNA expression (by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction),and caspase-9 expression (by Western blot).Results Compared with group C,the serum LDH and CK activities and myocardial infarct size were significantly increased in I/R and SP groups,the expression of miR-133a was significantly down-regulated,and the expression of caspase-9 protein and mRNA was significantly up-regulated in group I/R,and the expression of miR-133a and caspase-9 protein and mRNA was significantly up-regulated in group SP (P＜0.05).Compared with group I/R,the serum LDH and.CK activities and myocardial infarct size were significantly decreased,the expression of miR-133a was significantly up-regulated,and the expression of caspase-9 protein and mRNA was significantly downregulated in group SP (P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which sevoflurane postconditioning inhibits cell apoptosis during myocardial I/R is related to up-regulation of miR-133a expression in mice.

Objective A preliminary study of the safety and efficacy of the Pipeline embolization device(PED)for the treatment of vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm(VADA).Methods Clinical data of 21 patients with VADA treated with PED in the Department of Neurosurgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2019 to June 2023 were retrospectively collected,and the surgical approach,perioperative complications,and imaging results were recorded and followed up.Patients'prognosis was assessed by modified Rankin Scale score(mRS),and Kamran grading was used for imaging follow-up.Results Of the 21 patients,17 had unruptured aneurysms and 4 had ruptured aneurysms.A total of 22 PEDs were placed,of which 13 patients underwent PED placement alone and 8 patients underwent PED combined with coil embolization,with a technical success rate of 100% .Three patients with ruptured aneurysms had combined stenosis proximal to the aneurysm,and 1 patient with>50% stenosis received an additional Solitaire stent for in-stent posterior dilatation.Immediate postoperative Kamran grading was grade 1 in 16 patients,grade 2 in 1 patient,and grade 3 in 4 patients.There were 2 perioperative complications,including postoperative aneurysm rupture in 1 patient and severe pulmonary infection in 1 patient who eventually died.At the time of discharge,15 patients had an mRS score of 1,2 patients had a score of 2,1 patient had a score of 3,1 patient had a score of 4,and 2 patient had a score of 6.Eighteen patients were followed up with a median follow-up time of 12.5(6-30)months,of which 13 patients had an mRS score of 0,4 patients had a score of 1,and 1 patient had a score of 2.There were 2 patients with a Kamran grade of 2,4 patients with a grade of 3,and 12 patients with a grade of 4.Conclusion The surgical success rate and safety of VADA treatment with PED is high,but perioperative complications and postoperative care should not be ignored either and a large number of samples are still needed for further study in the future.