Objective To compare the effects of different doses of dexmedetomidine on the median effective concentration (EC50) of ropivacaine for epidural block and investigate the appropriate dose.Methods One hundred and twenty ASA Ⅰ patients of both sexes,aged 20-55 yr,weighing 50-75 kg,scheduled for knee arthroscopic operation,were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =30 each):no dexmedetomidine group (group D0),0.25 μg/kg dexmedetomidine group (group D0.25),0.50μg/kg dexmedetomidine group (group D0.50),and 1.00μg/kg dexmedetomidine group (group D1.00).In group D0,ropivacaine 20 ml was injected into epidural space.The ropivacaine-dexmedetomidine mixtures containing 0.25,0.50 and 1.00 μg/kg dexmedetomidine were injected into epidural space in groups D0.25,D1.00 and D0.50 respectively.The volume of mixtures was 20 nl in groups D0.25,D1.00 and D0.50.The initial concentration of ropivacaine was set at 0.40 ％,0.40 ％,0.28 ％ and 0.20 ％ in groups D0,D0.25,D0.50 and D1.00 respectively and then the EC50 was determined by up-and-down technique.The concentration of ropivacaine was increased/decreased by 0.02％ in the next patient.The analgesic effect was assessed using VAS score.VAS score =0 was considered as effective analgesia.The EC50 and 95％ confidence interval (CI) of ropivacaine were calculated using probit method.Adverse effects were recorded.Results The EC50 and 95 ％ CI of ropivacaine was 0.38％ (0.35-0.41)％,0.34％ (0.31-0.36)％,0.22％ (0.20-0.24)％ and 0.14％ (0.12-0.15) ％ in groups D0,D0.25,D0.50 and D1.00 respectively.The EC50 of ropivacaine was decreased gradually in groups D0,D0.25,D0.50 and D1.00 ( P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group D0,the incidonce of hypotension and bradycardia was significantly increased in group D1.00 ( P ＜ 0.05),while no significant change was found in the incidence of adverse effects in groups D0.25 and D0.50 (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The appropriate dose of dexmedetomidine for epidural analgesia is 0.50 μg/kg.

Objective To study the biocompatibility of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on acellular collagen matrix double-layer material.Methods BMSCs with acellular collagen matrix double-layer material were trained as experimental group,while separately cultured BMSCs as control group.The growth and proliferation of BMSCs on acellular collagen matrix double-layer material were investigated.Scanning electron microscope was used to observe the adherence of cells,and cell vitality was detected by CCK-8 method.Results The acellular collagen matrix double-layer material did not influence the growth and proliferation of BMSCs.The difference between the growth curves of experimental group and control group was not significant (P＞0.05).Conclusions The acellular collagen matrix double-layer material has acceptable biocompatibility.This research provides a scientific basis for the application of this composite material.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Brain ; drug effects ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Estrogens ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; drug therapy ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

BACKGROUND: Eggembryosin is characterized by tonifying kidney and vital essence, invigorating qi and spleen, replenishing and activating blood, beautifying and nourishing face, and improving constitution of whole organism.OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of eggembryosin on aging index,quantity of hemocytes and quality of immune organs of animal models, and analyze its effect on cosmetology, anti-senility and immunoloregulation.DESIGN: Randomized controlled observation.SETTING: Department of Pharmacology, Xinxiang Medical College.MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out in the Department of Pharmacology of Xinxiang Medical College between April 1998 and September 2002. A total of 80 Kunming mice of both sexes were selected in this study.METHODS: ① Effect of eggembryosin on activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum, content of malondialdehyde (MDA), lipofuscin and hydroxyproline respectively in serum, liver and tendon of tail of aging mice: Thirty mice were divided into 3 groups according to randomly lined table, including eggembryosin group, D-galactose model group and normal control group with 10 in each group. The former two groups were injected with D-galactose to copy aging models, and eggembryosin group were perfused with eggembryosin to measure activity of SOD in serum, content of MDA, lipofuscin (aging index) and hydroxyproline (elasric index of skin) respectively in serum, liver and tendon of tail. ② Effect of eggembryosin on mass of immune organs of mice with low immunological function: Thirty mice were selected and divided as the same way mentioned above. Mice in eggembryosin group were perfused with eggembryosin. In addition, those in eggembryosin group and cyclophosphamide (CAP) group were peritoneally injected with CAP to copy immunosuppression models and calculate index of thymus (spleen) (mg/g) = weight of thymus (spleen)/body. ③ Effect of eggembryosin on quantities of erythrocytes and hemoglobin of mice with blood deficiency: Twenty mice were divided into 2 groups according to randomly lined table, including eggembryosin group and normal control group with 10 in each group. Values of erythrocytes and hemoglobins of mice were measured before administration. Models in types of blood-deficiency blood-loss were copied with tail xsanguinations, and then, mice were perfused with eggembryosin and saline, respectively. Blood of mice were collected from their tails to measure values of erythrocytes and hemoglobin.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum, content of malondialdehyde (MDA), lipofuscin and hydroxyproline respectively in serum, liver and tendon of tail of aging mice, index of thymus, and spleen, contents of blood erythrocytes and hemoglobins.RESULTS: A total of 80 mice were involved in the final analysis without any loss. ① Activity of SOD in serum and contents of hydroxyproline in tendon of tail of mice in eggembryosin group were significantly higher than those of mice in D-galactose model group (P ＜ 0.01); content of MDA in serum and content of lipofuscin in liver of mice in eggembryosin group were significantly lower than those of mice in D-galactose model group (P＜ 0.01). ② Indexes of thymus and spleen of mice in eggembryosin group were higher than those of mice in CAP group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01). ③ Increasing values of blood erythrocytes and hemoglobin of mice in eggembryosin group were significantly higher than those of mice in normal control group (P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: Eggembryosin taken orally can improveanti-oxidation of organism and elasticity of skin, increase quality of immune organs damaged by CAP and immunological function, and nourish the blood.

Background and purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the necessity of central compartment neck dissection in laryngeal cancer.Study Design: Retrospective study at a tertiary referral medical center. Methods:Patients with laryngeal squamous cell cancer who underwent neck dissection were evaluated, and a retrospective analysis of clinicopathologic factors and follow-up data were performed. Results: One hundred and eighteen patients from 1999 to 2009 were enrolled. There were 11.9% central compartment lymph node metastasis in all patients, including the 10 patients with central compartment lymph node metastasis in 34 patients underwent compartment neck dissection and 4 patients do not underwent compartment neck dissection but had central neck recurrence in the follow up time. Subglottic or pyriform extension were risk factors in central compartment lymph node metastasis and central neck recurrence (P=0.002). Central compartment lymph node metastasis had closed relationship with levelⅣmetastasis (P<0.001), extracapsular extension (P=0.001), vascular extension (P=0.015) and poor local control rates (P=0.035) respectively. Patients who were positive for lateral neck lymph node metastasis had poor disease-free survival rate (P=0.014) and poor local control rates (P=0.025), and supraglottic cancer had a trend to metastases to levelⅡ(P=0.044). Conclusion:Central compartment neck dissection might be considered a potential therapeutic approach for patients with laryngeal cancer.

Objective To investigate the methods of rectifying the excessive width of fold line and conglutination of the upper eyelid following blepharoplasty. Methods The width of double eyelid was redesigned, ranging from 6 mm to 8 mm. Then the scar of upper eyelid was excised about 1 mm to 2 mm, and the orbital septum fat flap, orbicularis oculi flap, infraorbicularis oculi fat flap and injection of lipochondria were utilized to fill the depression of upper eyelid. Results In our series, there were 20 eyelids of 16 cases receiving rectification. Orbital septum fat flap was used to correct 2 eye-lids, orbicularis oculi flap 4 eyelids, infraorbicularis oculi fat flap 10 eyelids and injection of lipochon-dria 4 cases. Among 12 eases of following-up, 10 of them were satisfied with the postoperative effects. The results were acceptable in other 2 cases. Conclusion It is a good approach to correct the excessive width of fold line and conglutination of the upper eyelid with local flaps, including the orbital septum fat flap, orbicularis oculi flap, infraorbicularis oculi fat flap and injection of lipochondria.

The training of orthopedic residents in Taiwan, China includes post graduate year and specialist training, which contain continuous orthopedic specialist training, humanistic training, and holistic education to ensure the high post competency of orthopedic residents. The training process is oriented towards competency and outcome, emphasizing the cultivation of core competencies. Comprehensive quantitative standards have been established to comprehensively evaluate the post competency of residents through theoretical, technical, and clinical work assessments. In this paper, the literature on medical education and resident training in Taiwan was reviewed. The overall training system, assessment requirements, and humanistic training of orthopedic residents in Taiwan were introduced. In addition, the models of training orthopedic specialists were compared between Taiwan and Mainland of China represented by Peking University Medical Department to provide reference for the training program of orthopedic residents.

Objective To investigate the effect of asiatic acid(AA)on the apoptosis of HT-22 cells induced by sevoflurane(SEVO)by regulating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/AKT)signaling pathway.Methods Different concentrations of AA(0,5,10,15,20,30 μmol/L)were used to treat HT-22 cells induced by sevoflurane for 24 hours,and CCK-8 was used to detect HT-22 cell viability;HT-22 cells were divided into control group,sevoflurane(SEVO)group,AA low concentration(AA-L,10 μmol/L)group,AA medium concentration(AA-M,15 μmol/L)group,AA high concentration(AA-H,20 μmol/L)group,and AA high concentration+PI13K pathway inhibitor LY294002(AA-H+LY294002,20 μmol/L AA+5 μmol/L LY294002)group.Inverted microscopy was applied to observe changes of cell morphology,ELISA was applied to detect the levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6,oxidative stress indicators SOD,GSH-Px,and MDA,ROS detection kit was applied to detect ROS levels,TUNEL kit was applied to detect HT-22 apoptosis,JC-1 method was applied to detect mitochondrial membrane potential,ATP content detection kit was applied to detect ATP content,and Western blot was applied to detect the expressions of Bcl-2,Bax,Caspase-3,p-PI3K,PI3K,p-AKT,and AKT proteins.Results Compared with 0 μmol/L,the activity of HT-22 cells treated with 5-30 μmol/L AA increased in a concentration-dependent manner(P<0.05),concentrations of 10 μmol/L,15 μmol/L,and 20 μmol/L of AA were selected for subsequent experiments.Compared with the SEVO group,the levels of TNF-α,IL-6,MDA,ROS,cell apoptosis rate,and expressions of Bax and Caspase-3 proteins in the AA-L,AA-M,and AA-H groups were reduced,the levels of SOD and GSH-Px,red/green JC-1 fluorescence ratio,content of ATP,the expression of Bcl-2 protein,the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and AKT were increased(P<0.05),and were concentration dependent.LY294002 was able to reverse the protective effect of AA on HT-22 cell damage induced by sevoflurane(P<0.05).Conclusion AA protects HT-22 cells from damage induced by sevoflurane by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway,which provides a theoretical reference for the development of novel drugs to reduce sevofluran-induced neurotoxicity.

Objective:To investigate the effect of Lee Silverman voice therapy (LSVT) on the speech and life quality of Chinese persons with Parkinson′s disease (PD).Methods:A total of 16 Chinese PD patients were enrolled and given standard LSVT for 4 weeks. Their acoustic data were analyzed using PRAAT software before and after the treatment. Their voice quality was evaluated using the Japanese GRBAS voice scale and their quality of life was quantified using the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) scale.Results:After 4 weeks of LSVT the patients′ average voice and life quality had improved significantly. The average maximum duration of sustained vowel phonation had increased significantly, as had the vowels′ mean loudness, reading and monologue delivery. The GRBAS grading indicated that hoarseness had decreased significantly. The average total voice handicap index had also decreased significantly.Conclusion:Lee Silverman therapy can significantly improve maximum phonation time and loudness of Chinese-speakers, which enhances sensory feedback. The quality of their speech and of their life also improve significantly. This technique is recommended for clinical application.

Objective:To analyze the factors influencing dysphagia after an injury to the cervical spinal cord (CPCI) to provide a basis for clinical screening and intervention.Methods:A total of 110 CPCI patients with dysphagia were divided into a severe dysphagia group ( n=19), a mild dysphagia group ( n=35), and a control group ( n=56) according to their functional oral intake scale scores. Data on gender, age, level of injury, degree of damage, duration of injury, causes of injury, surgical mode, tracheotomy status, occurrence of pneumonia and pharynx swelling were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were evaluated to identify factors affecting swallowing. Results:The regressions highlighted age, the severity of the spinal cord injury, tracheotomy status, and the occurrence of pneumonia and pharyngeal swelling during hospitalization as the best predictors of swallowing difficulties. Multifactoral logistic regression analysis revealed that undergoing tracheotomy and catching pneumonia during hospitalization were major risk factors for severe dysphagia.Conclusions:Tracheotomy and pneumonia during hospitalization are useful predictors of severe dysphagia after a cervical spinal cord injury.