Objective To investigate the effect of pretreatment with dexmedetomidine alone or in combination with sufentanil on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats.Methods Fifty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 250-300 g,were anesthetized with intraperitoneal pentobarbital sodium 60 mg/kg.Myocardial I/R was induced by occlusion of anterior descending branch of left coronary artery for 30 min followed by 120 min of reperfusion.The rats were then randomly divided into 5 groups (n =10 each):sham operation group (group S),group I/R,dexmedetomidine pretreatment group (group DP),sufentanil pretreatment group (group SP),and dexmedetomidine + sufentanil pretreatment group (group DS).In group S the anterior descending branch was only exposed but not ligated.Dexmedetomidine 0.5μg/kg and sufentanil 0.1μg/kg were injected intraperitoneally 30 min before ischemia in groups DP and SP,respectively.Dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg and sufentanil 0.1 μg/kg were injected intraperitoneally 30 min bbefore ischemia in group DS.Arterial blood samples were collected at 120 min of reperfusion for determination of serum creatine kinase (CK) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH)concentrations.The rats were sacrificed at 120 min of reperfusion and hearts were removed for microscopic examination.Myocardial infarct size was calculated.The malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in myocardial tissues were measured.Results Compared with group S,the serum CK and LDH concentrations were significantly increased,the myocardial infarct size was enlarged,and SOD activity was decreased in the other groups,MDA content was significantly increased in groups I/R,DP and SP (P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01).Compared with group I/R,the serum CK and LDH concentrations,MDA content and myocardial infarct size were significantly decreased,and SOD activity was increased in groups DP,SP and DS (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group DS,the serum CK concentration was significantly increased,the myocardial infarct size was enlarged,and MDA content was increased in groups DP and SP,and LDH concentration was significantly increased and SOD activity was decreased in group DP (P ＜ 0.05).The pathological changes were significantly attenuated in groups DP and SP compared with group DS.Conclusion Dexmedetomidine pretreatment can reduce myocardial I/ R injury in rats,dexmedetomidine combined with sufentanil pretreatment provides better efficacy than either alone,and inhibition of lipid peroxidation is involved in the mechanism.

Objective To investigate the effects of restraint stress (RS) in different periods on SOD and MDA of normal rat serums and mucosal tissues. Methods 32 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group (NC group, n=8), and restraint stress groups of 3 days, 5 days and 7 days (RS3, RS5 and RS7 groups, n=8 at each group). The comparisons were done between all the groups in terms of the general extent of gastric mucosal injury, gastric mucosal injury ulcer index (UI), water content, the activity of super oxide dismutase (SOD), and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum and mucosal. Results Compared with NC group, gastric mucosal injuries in RS group were more severe, the UI and water content was proportionally related with the restraint periods. Meanwhile, the serum and mucosal SOD in the RS groups were all increased, and with prolonged restraints, the SOD were decreased, but the serum and mucosal MDA were increased (P<0.01) and SOD/MDA in the mucosa lowered as well (P<0.01). Conclusion Restraint stress may cause mucosal injury proportional to the stress time and related with lowered SOD/MDA in mucosal tissues.

Objective To evaluate the effect of ulinastatin on oxidative stress injury to myocardial cells in diabetic rats in vitro.Methods The H9c2 cells were cultured in DMEM culture medium and the cells at the logarithmic growth phase were seeded in 96-well plates (density 1 × 104 cells/ml,200 μl/well) or in 6-well plates (density 1× 105 cells/m1,2 ml/well).The cells were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=18 each) using a random number table:normal control group (group C),high-glucose group (group HG),high-glucose + oxidative stress group (group HG+OS),ulinastatin +high-glucose+oxidative stress group (group U+HG+OS).The cells were cultured in high-glucose DMEM culture medium (25.0 mmol/L) for 48 h in group HG.After the cells were cultured in high-glucose DMEM culture medium for 24 h,H2O2 with the final concentration of 500 μmol/L was added to the high-glucose culture medium,and the cells were continuously cultured for 24 h in HG+OS and U+HG+OS groups.In group U+HG+OS,ulinastatin 400 U/ml was added to the high-glucose culture medium.The cells were collected for determination of cell viability,H9c2 apoptosis,activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and contents of malonadehyde (MDA).Apoptosis rate was calculated.The cell culture supernatant was collected for detection of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity.Results Compared with group C,the cell viability and SOD activity were significantly decreased,and the apoptosis rate,MDA content and LDH activity were increased in the other groups.Compared with HG group,the cell viability and SOD activity were significantly decreased,and the apoptosis rate,MDA content and LDH activity were increased in HG+OS and U+HG+OS groups.Compared with group HG+OS,the cell viability and SOD activity were significantly increased,and the apoptosis rate,MDA content and LDH activity were decreased in group U + HG+ OS.Conclusion Ulinastatin can mitigate oxidative stress injury to myocardial cells in diabetic rats,and inhibited cell apoptosis is involved in the mechanism.

Objective To investigate the role of TRPV1 in exacerbation of gastric mucosal injury in a rat water immersion restraint stress (WIRS) model by acute postoperative pain. Methods Thirty Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal controlled group (N group, n=10), WIRS model group (WIRS group, n=10) and surgery after WIRS group (WS group, n = 10). The general extent of gastric mucosal injury was observed and assessed for gastric mucosal ulcer index (UI), intragastric pH and serum SOD/MDA ratio were measured and the expression of TRPV1 mRNA in gastric mocusal was accessed by Real-time Quantitative PCR. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the mean density of TRPV1. Results Compared with NC group, WIRS group showed obvious gastric mocusal injure with higher UI , lower values of intragastric pH serum SOD/MDA ratio and TRPV1 (P<0.05). The treatment with surgery after onset of WIRS significantly aggravated the gastric mucusal erosion and hemorrhage, with UI increased (P < 0.05), the value of intragastric pH, serum SOD/MDA ratio and TRPV1 further reduced (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, TRPV1 was inversely correlated with UI, and positively associated with intragastric pH and serum SOD/MDA ratio. Conclusion TRPV1 expression in gastric mocusal of AMGL model is inhibited by acute postoperative pain. TRPV1 may involve in the exacerbation of gastric mucosal injury in WIRS model by acute postoperative pain.

Objective To observe the coexistence expression of TRPV1 and μ-opoid receptorin spinal dorsal root ganglion (DRG) projected to stomach , and to investigate the relationship between TRPV1 andμ-opoid receptorand its clinical significance in rats with acute gastric mucosal lesion induced by water immersion and restraint stress. Methods FortyWistar rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups, including normal control group(group NC, n = 10), WIRS group (group WIRS, n = 20), and sufentanil pretreatment group (group SP, n = 10). A rat model of gsatric mucosal lesion was induced by WIRS. 6 hours after WIRS treatment, gastric tissues were excised and microscopically observed; ulcer index (GI) was noted. The coexistence expression of TRPV1 and μ-opioid receptor in DRG neurons was detected by immunofluorescence assay, and the levels of CGRP was measured by ELASA. Results As compared withgroup WIRS, the degree of gastric injury was obviously relieved in group SF. Coexistence of TRPV1 and μ-opioid receptor was detected in thoracic DRG neurons projected to stomach; the CGRP level was higher in group WIRS than in group NC. ConclusionsTRPV1 isinvolved in protection of acute gastric mucosal lesion. Activation of μ-opioid receptor can induce TRPV1 to release CGRP, resulting in protection of gastric mucosa.

Objective To compare the therapeutic effects between three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in patients with stage Ⅱ/Ⅲ esophageal cancer and investigate the prognostic factors.Methods Medical record of 2 132 patients with stage Ⅱ/Ⅲ esophageal cancer who underwent definitive radiotherapy with/without chemotherapy in 10 hospitals from January 2002 to December 2016 from were retrospectively analyzed.Among these patients,37.9％ of them were aged ≥ 70 years,33.9％ with neck and upper esophageal tumors and 66.1％ with middle and lower esophageal and borderline tumors.The median gross tumor volume (GTV) and lymph node gross tumor volume (GTVnd) was 41.6 cm3.Among them,32％ were stage Ⅱ] and 68％ were stage Ⅲ.A total of 723 patients received 3DCRT and 1 409 cases received IMRT.Patients received an equivalent dose in 2 Gy (EQD2) ≥ 60 Gy accounted for 86.1％,and 41.1％ of them received concurrent chemoradiotherapy.Results The median follow-up time was 60.8 months.The 1-,3-and 5-year overall survival (OS) of all patients was 73.9％,41.7％ and 32.6％,and the 1-,3-and 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 62.2％,37.3％ and 32％,respectively.Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age,primary tumor location,clinical stage,tumor target volume,EQD2 and concurrent chemoradiotherapy were the independent prognostic factors for OS.Age,primary tumor location,clinical stage,tumor target volume and EQD2 were the independent prognostic factors for PFS.The OS and PFS did not significantly differ among the low-risk,low-/moderate-risk,moderate-/high-risk and high-risk groups according to age≥70 years,tumor diameter＞5 cm,tumor volume ≥41.6 cm3 and stage Ⅲ (P＜0.001).After the propensity score matching (PSM) method,neither 3DCRT nor IMRT yielded significant advantages in OS or PFS (P=0.971;P=0.658).However,IMRT tended to yield survival benefits in low-risk patients (P=0.125).Conclusions Both 3DCRT and IMRT yield relatively high OS rate in patients with stage Ⅱ/Ⅲ esophageal cancer.The prognosis model established in this investigation can properly predict the survival of patients.Low-risk patients tend to obtain survival benefits from IMRT.

Objective To retrospectively analyze the effect of tumor length on the prognosis in stage Ⅱ/Ⅲ esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients treated with definitive radiotherapy and to evaluate the role of tumor length in clinical stage for non-operative ESCC patients.Methods The data of 2 086 ESCC patients who were treated with definitive radiotherapy from 2002 to 2016 in 10 hospitals (3JECROG) were analyzed.The effect of tumor length on overall survival (OS) was analyzed and stratified analysis of tumor length was done in different stages of ESCC.Results The median OS and median progression-free survival (PFS) time of the whole group were 25.6 months and 18.2 months respectively.The Cox multivariate analysis showed that treatment moda,aga,alinical stage and tumor length were independent prognostic factors.The median,1-,3-,and 5-year OS were 28.9 months,77.3％,45.0％,and 36.3％ versus 21.9 months,69.9％,37.9％,and 28.1％ for patients with ≤ 5 cm and patients ＞ 5 cm respectively (P＜0.05).For stage Ⅱ patienta,abe median OS were 42.1 and 38.9 months respectively in ≤ 5 cm group and＞5 cm group (P=0.303).And for stage Ⅲ patienta,abe median OS were 23.9 and 19.3 months respectively in ≤5 cm group and＞5 cm group (P＜0.001).The median OS with N1was 24.1 and 18.4 montha,aespectively in ≤5 cm group and＞5 cm group (P＜0.001).Conclusions The tumor length was an independent prognostic factor for stage Ⅱ/Ⅲ patients treated definitive radiotherapy.The tumor length may be helpful in clinical staging of ESCa,aspecially for stage Ⅲ and N1.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of definitive radiotherapy with different doses on overall survival (OS) and identify the prognostic factors of patients with non-metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Methods:Clinical data of 2 344 ESCC patients treated with definitive radiotherapy (RT) alone or chemoradiotherapy from 2002 to 2016 in 10 hospitals were collected and analyzed retrospectively. After the propensity score matching (PSM)(1 to 2 ratio), all patients were divided into the low-dose group (equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions, EQD 2Gy<60 Gy; n=303) and high-dose group (EQD 2Gy≥60 Gy; n=606) based on the dose of radiation. Survival analysis was conducted by Kaplan- Meier method. Multivariate prognostic analysis was performed by Cox′s regression model. Results:The median follow-up time was 59.6 months. After the PSM, the 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 66.5%, 34.7%, 27.2% in the low-dose group, 72.9%, 41.7% and 34.7% in the high-dose group, respectively ( P=0.018). The 1-, 3-and 5-year progression-free survival rate was 52.2%, 27.2%, 23.1% in the low-dose group, 58.3%, 38.1% and 33.9% in the high-dose group, respectively ( P=0.001). The outcomes of univariate analysis indicated that cervical/upper esophagus location, early (stage Ⅱ) AJCC clinical stage, node negative status, tumor length ≤5 cm, receiving intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), receiving concurrent chemotherapy and EQD 2Gy≥60 Gy were closely associated with better OS (all P<0.05). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that tumor location, regional lymph node metastasis, concurrent chemotherapy and EQD 2Gy were the independent prognostic factors for OS (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Three-dimensional conformal or IMRT with EQD 2Gy≥60 Gy yields favorable survival outcomes for patients with locally advanced ESCC.

OBJECTIVES: With the rapid development of aging population, the number of elderly patients undergoing posterior lumbar spine surgery continues to increase. Lumbar spine surgery could cause moderate to severe postoperative pain, and the conventional opioid-based analgesia techniques have many side effects, which are barriers to the recovery after surgery of the elderly. Previous studies have demonstrated that erector spinae plane block (ESPB) could bring about favorable analgesia in spinal surgery. As far as the elderly are concerned, the analgesic and recovery effects of ESPB on posterior lumbar spine surgery are not completely clear. This study aims to observe the effects of bilateral ESPB on elderly patients undergoing posterior lumbar spine surgery, and to improve the anesthesia techniques. METHODS: A total of 70 elderly patients of both sex, who were selected from May 2020 to November 2021, scheduled for elective posterior lumbar spine surgery, and in the age of 60-79 years, with American Society of Anesthesiologists class Ⅱ-Ⅲ, were divided into a ESPB group and a control (C) group using a random number table method, with 35 patients each. Before general anesthesia induction, 20 mL 0.4% ropivacaine was injected to the transverse process of L₃ or L₄ bilaterally in the ESPB group and only saline in the C group. The score of Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) indicating pain at rest and on movement within 48 h after operation, time of first patient control analgesia (PCA), cumulative consumptions of sufentanil within 48 hours, Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire (LSEQ) scores on the morning of day 1 and day 2 after operation, Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) scores at 24 and 48 h after operation, full diet intake times, perioperative adverse reactions such as intraoperative hypotension, postoperative dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and constipation were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: A total of 70 patients were enrolled and 62 subjects completed the study, including 32 in the ESPB group and 30 in the C group. Compared with the C group, the postoperative NRS scores at rest at 2, 4, 6, and 12 h and on movementat at 2, 4, and 6 h were lower, time of first PCA was later, sufentanil consumptions were significantly decreased during 0-12 h and 12-24 h after operation, LSEQ scores on the morning of day 1 and QoR-15 scores at 24 and 48 h after operation were higher, full diet intakes achieved earlier in the ESPB group (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the incidences of intraoperative hypotension, postoperative dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and constipation between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Providing favorable analgesic effects with reduced opioids consumption, bilateral ESPB for posterior lumbar spine surgery in the elderly patients could also improve postoperative sleep quality, promote gastrointestinal functional restoration, and enhance recovery with few adverse reactions.
Aged ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Sufentanil ; Dizziness ; Pain ; Anesthesia, General ; Constipation ; Hypotension ; Nerve Block ; Pain, Postoperative ; Analgesics, Opioid ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

Objective To evaluate the survival and prognostic factors of esophageal cancer treated with definitive ( chemo ) radiotherapy by applying novel radiation techniques including three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) or intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Methods Clinical data of 2762 patients with non-operated esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent definitive ( chemo ) radiotherapy from 2002 to 2016 in 10 hospitals were retrospectively analyzed.The prognostic factors were also identified and analyzed. Results The median follow-up time was 60. 8 months. The 1-, 2-, 3-and 5-year overall survival (OS) of all patients was 71. 4％,48. 9％,39. 3％,and 30. 9％,respectively.The 1-,2-,3-and 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 59.5％,41.5％,35.2％,and 30％,respectively.The median survival was 23 months.The median time to progression was 17. 2 months.Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age, primary tumor location, clinical stage, tumor target volume, EQD2 and treatment mode were the independent prognostic factors for OS.Primary tumor location,clinical stage,tumor target volume and EQD2 were the independent prognostic factors for PFS. Conclusions In this first large-scale multi-center retrospective analysis of definitive ( chemo) radiotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in China, the 5-year OS of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is significantly improved by 3DCRT, IMRT combined with chemotherapy drugs. However, the findings remain to be validated by prospective clinical trials with high-level medical evidence.