Objective The aim of this prospective randomized study was to compare the effects of remifentanil (R) and fentanyl (F) given by target-controlled infusion (TCI) on the Cp50 of TCI propofol for loss of consciousness ( LOC ) . Methods Sixty-four ASA 1 or II patients aged 20-55 yr undergoing elective cholecystectomy or mastectomy under general anesthesia were enrolled in this study. Their BMI ranged from 18-30 kg?m-2. The patients were randomly allocated to one of four groups with 16 patients in each group: (1) propofol alone (P), (2) P + remifentanil (Cp = 4 ?g?L-1 ) (R4), (3) P + remifentanil (Cp = 7 ?g?L 1 ) (R7) and (4) P + fentanyl (Cp = 4?g?L-1 ) (F). The patients were unpremeditated. Anesthesia was induced with remifentanil or fentanyl and propofol both given by TCI. The plasma concentration (Cp) of remifentanil and fentanyl were fixed in each group. The Cp50 of propofol for LOC was determined by up-and-down sequential trial. Cp of propofol was set at 1.25, 1.50, 1.80, 2.16, 2.59, 3.11, 3.73 and 4.48 mg?L-1 . If a patient did not go to sleep at a certain Cp of propofol, the next patient was tested at a higher concentration conversely if the patient went to sleep a lower concentration was tested in the next patient. The BIS values and hemodynamic changes were recorded before induction and at LOC (no response to verbal command and loss of eyelash reflex). The TCI pump was controlled by pharmacokinetic models developed by Marsh (propofol) Minto ( remifentanil) and Shafer ( fentanyl) . Results The Cp of propofol for LOC in group P was 3.48 mg ? L-1 , significandy higher than that in group F (2.31 mg ? L -1 ), group R4 (2.11 mg?L-1) and group R7 (1.76mg?L-1 ) (P

Biomarkers ; Disease Susceptibility ; Humans ; Pneumoconiosis ; etiology

Ca2+signaling is fundamental for information process-ing in the peripheral nervous system,which regulates a variety of physiological activities.Ca2+signaling and calcium homeostasis are directly associated with neuropathology.Recently,studies on Ca2+signaling contribute to a deeper comprehension of the path-ogenesis of diabetic peripheral neuropathies,which provide a new research direction for the treatment of diabetic peripheralneuropathies.This review aims to highlight the relationship be-tween calcium signaling,sensory neurones and neuroglial cells in the context of diabetic peripheral neuropathies.

The S100 proteins are a multi-gene calcium-binding family,which are differently expressed in a variety of tumors.It is found to be associated with tumor invasion and metastasis.As a tumor-associated biomarkers,unraveling the relationship between S100 and prostate cancer progression as well as molecular mechanisms,would provide an important basis for the clinical diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring.

Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics ; physiology

Animals ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; physiology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; physiopathology ; Mice ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; physiopathology ; Rats

Objective To study the effects of subsrachnoid implantation of APA microcapsules-filled with bovine chromaffin cells (BCCs) on expression of mRNA for ?2 and ?2 subunits of GABAA receptor in spinal cord in rats with chronic constrictive injury (CCI) of sciatic nerve and to determine if GABAA receptor is involved in the mechanisms of analgesia produced by subarachnoid implantation of micro-capsulized BCCs. Methods Twenty SD rats weighing 200-250 g were randomly divided into 4 groups with 5 animals in each group : (Ⅰ) control group (group C); (Ⅱ) CCI group in which right sciatic nerve was loosely ligated; (Ⅲ) APA group in which 500-600 empty APA micro-capsules were implanted in subarachnoid space and (Ⅳ) APA-BCC group in which 5?106 APA micro-capsules filled with BCCs were implanted in subarachnoid space. In group Ⅲ and Ⅳ subarachnoid implantation was performed at L1-3 level 7 days after CCI operation. Pain threshold to mechanical stimulation with Von-Frey filament and thermal stimulation with CO2 laser was measured before and 7 days after implantation. Expression of mRNA for GABAA receptor ?2 and ?2 subunit in spinal cord was measured by RT-PCR.Results The expression of mRNA for GABAA receptor ?2 and ?2 subunit in spinal cord was significantly lower in CCI and APA groups (group Ⅱ and Ⅲ) than that in control group (group Ⅰ). In APA-BCC group (group Ⅳ) pain threshold of surgical side to mechanical and thermal stimuli and the expression of mRNA for GABAA receptor ?2 and ?2 subunit in spinal cord were significantly higher than those in group Ⅱ and Ⅲ . Conclusion The expression of mRNA for GABAA receptor?2 and ?2 subunit in spinal cord is down-regulated by CCI and subarachnoid implantation of micro-capsulized BCCs can reverse the down-regulation. Recovery of GABAA-nergic neuron activity contributes to the analgesic effect of aubarachnoid implantation of micro-capsalized BCCs.

Animals ; Humans ; Interleukin-1 ; physiology ; Mice ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Receptors, Interleukin-1 ; physiology

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Yin-Huang pills combined with Banlangen granule therapy on upper respiratory infection.Methods 120 cases of acute upper respiratory infection were randomly separated into an experiment group and a control group.The experiment group was treated by Yin-Huang pills combined with Banlangen granule;while the control group was treated by Yin-Huang pills.Results There was significant difference of cure rate between the experiment group(75%)and the control group(51.6%),with P＜0.01.There was no significant difference of total effective rate between the experiment group(96.6%)and the control group(88.3%),with P＞0.05.Conclusion Yin-Huang pills combined with Banlangen granule therapy was more effective in controlling acute upper respiratory infection,and this therapy caused few adverse effects.