Objective To investigate the effect of isoflurane preconditioning on the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB)activity of leukocytes in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).Methods Twenty ASAⅡorⅢpatients of both sexes aged 20-60 yrs undergoing cardiac valve replacement under CPB were randomly divided into 2 groups(n=10 each):control group(C)and isoflurane preconditioning group(I).Anesthesia was induced with midazolam 0.08-0.12 mg?kg~(-1),fentanyl 5-10?g?kg~(-1) and vecuronium 0.1 mg?kg~(-1).The patients were mechanically ventilated(FiO_2=100%)after tracheal intubation.Anesthesia was maintained with intermittent i.v.boluses of fentanyl and midazolam in group C or with 2 MAC isoflurane and intermittent i.v.boluses of fentanyl and midazolam in group I before CPB.Systolic BP was kept between 90-120 mm Hg,diastolic BP between 50-80 mm Hg and HR between 60-90 bpm in both groups. Isoflurane was discontinued at the initiation of CPB.Arterial blood samples were taken after tracheal intubation and before inhalation of isoflurane(T_0)at 30 min(T_1),1 h(T_2)and 2 h(T_3)after aortic unclamping for determination of NF-kB activity of leukocytes using electrophoretic mobility shift assay(EMSA).The amount of fentanyl,midazolam,dopamine and sodium nitroprusside(SNP)consumed during operation and the rate of recovery of spontaneous heart beat in both groups were recorded.Results The NF-kB activity was significantly increased after aortic unclamping in C group but there was no significant difference in NF-kB activity before CPB (T_0)and after aortic unclamping(T_(1-3))in I group.The NF-kB activity was significant lower at T_(1-3) in group I than in group C.The total amount of fentanyl consumed was 40-60?g?kg~(-1) in C group and 20-30?g?kg~(-1) in group I. Significantly less amount of dopamine was used in group I than in group C.There was no significant difference in SNP consumption between the 2 groups.The rate of recovery of spontaneous heart beat was significantly higher in group I than in group C(P＜0.01).The amount of dopamine consumed was positively correlated with the highest level of NF-kB activity in both group[r=0.962 in group C;r=0.908 in group I(P＜0.01)].Conclusion Isoflurane preconditioning can attenuate the NF-kB activity of leulocytes in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement under CPB.

Objective This retrospective study was to explore the efficacy and determine the risk factors of survival for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC) treated by repeat hepatectomy. Methods From January 1995 till December 2010, 60 patients with recurrent HCCs, were treated by repeat hepatectomy.The significance of seventeen clinical or pathological variables in the risk factors of overall survival were assessed. Results The overall survival 1,3, and 5-year survival rates were 76. 3% , 40.7% and 25. 0% (from repeat hepatectomy), and 95. 0% , 62. 6% and 43. 3% ( from initial hepatectomy) , respectively.Univariate analysis indicated that tumor size at initial hepatectomy, recurrence interval from initial hepatectomy, serum albumin(ALB) level, resection margin, diameter of largest recurrence tumor and rumor vascular invasion were significant prognostic factors(P <0. 05, Kaplan-Meier Log-rank test). Multivariate analysis showed recurrence interval from initial hepatectomy, resection margin, diameter of largest recurrence tumor and rumor vascular invasion were significant prognostic factors(P<0.05, Cox proportional hazards model).Conclusion Repeat hepatectomy is effective for recurrent HCC. Recurrence interval from initial hepatectomy, resection margin, diameter of largest recurrence tumor and rumor vascular invasion were significant prognostic factors.

Objective To investigate the incidence of hearing disorder and analyse the high-risk factors with hearing injury in newborns with hyperbilirubinemia.Methods The newborns with hyperbilirubinemia who admitted to the department of neonate,were received the distortion product otoacoustic emission(DPOAE)test when they recovered from hyperbilirubinemia;those babies who didn′t pass the first test received screening again in 42 days after birth.Those babies who didn′t pass the second test received auditory brain stem response(ABR)test.Results Fifty-eight(33.2%)newborns didn′t pass the first DPOAE test among 235 newborns with hyperbilirubinemia;11(18.9%)infants didn′t pass the second DPOAE test among 58 infants;5 infants failed to pass the ABR test,the ratio of hea-ring disorder in newborns with hyperbilirubinemia was 2.13%;18(9.9%)newborns didn′t pass the first DPOAE test among 182 normal newborns,and those infants all passed the second DPOAE test.Conclusions Hyperbilirubinemia is high-risk population of hearing disorder.The congenital cytomegalovirus infection,neonatal septicemia and hemolytic disease of newborn are the high risk factors responsible for hearing disorder.All high risk newborns should recieve hearing examination regularly.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effectiveness and safety of various agents on paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in the elderly over 75 years old.

METHODSTotally 264 in-patients (75-91 years old, 185 males and 79 females) with atrial fibrillation history of less than 7 days were enrolled in this study. A total of 611 atrial fibrillation episodes were recorded, but 130 episodes (22.3%) of atrial fibrillation were auto-converted to sinus rhythm. The rest 481 episodes of atrial fibrillation were divided into six groups based on the drug used.

RESULTSThe cardioversion ratio of atrial fibrillation were 9.5%, 46.9%, 71.7%, 55.9%, 32.7%, and 73.6% in control, cedilanid, amiodarone, propafenone, verapamil, and quinidine groups, respectively. Ventricular rate control were 5.4%, 83.6%, 84.9%, 77.9%, 78.8%, and 11.3% in those groups, respectively. The total effective rates of amiodarone and cedilanid groups were the highest. When the ventricular rate was controlled to below 90 bpm, the patients would almost complain of no discomfort. No severe side-effect was observed in each group.

CONCLUSIONAmiodarone and cedilanid may be the proper drugs for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in the elderly. The above antiarrhythmics in each therapeutic group were relatively safe and effective.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Amiodarone ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Atrial Fibrillation ; drug therapy ; Bradycardia ; chemically induced ; Cardiac Glycosides ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Heart Rate ; drug effects ; Humans ; Lanatosides ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Nausea ; chemically induced ; Propafenone ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use

Aging ; physiology ; Animals ; Female ; Male ; Mitochondria, Heart ; enzymology ; Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Ventricular Function, Left ; physiology

There are many E. coli rare codons in the gene of porcine interferon alpha-1. In order to obtain high expression of poIFN-alpha1 in E. coli, the cDNA encoded poIFN-alpha1 mature protein was synthesized using biased codons of E. coli without changing the original amino acid sequence and the terminator was changed as TAA. At the same time, Adenine and Thymine were used to the largest extent near the 5' terminus of poIFN-alpha1 mature protein gene. The synthesized gene was inserted into the Eco RI and Sal I site of the expression vector pRLC resulting pRLC-poIFN-alpha1. The poIFN-alpha1 is highly expressed in E. coli DH5alpha when the induction was carried out at 42 degrees C . The expressed poIFN-alpha1 account for 24.5% of the total cellular proteins and existed as inclusion body. The poIFN-alpha1 inclusion body was dissolved in 6mol/L guanidine chloride contained DTT and subsequently the denatured poIFN-alpha1 was re-natured by dilution in refolding buffer containing GSH and GSSH. In the present study it was found that the denatured poIFN-alpha1 was most efficiently re-natured in refolding buffer containing 1 mol/L guanidine chloride. In order to obtain pure protein, the concentrated re-natured poIFN-alpha1 was purified by Sephacryl S-200 chromatography. As a result, the purified poIFN-alpha1 is verified to be of high cytokine activity by inhibiting the cytopathic effect of vesicular stomatitis virus in MDBK cells, which is about 6.4 x 10(6) u/mg. This study paved the way for large-scale production of recombinant poIFN-alpha1 and its usage in virus disease control of pigs.
Animals ; Codon ; genetics ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; Interferon-alpha ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Swine ; Transduction, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of tourniquet in total knee arthroplasty.

METHODStudies on comparison between with and without tourniquet in total knee arthroplasty were identified from Medline, PubMed, EMASE, Cochrane Library, CBM, Highwire, CNKI, VIP, Articles Digital Periodicals.All the randomized controlled trials were included for meta-analysis with RevMan 4.2.2 software.

RESULTSNineteen studies involving 15 in foreign languages, 4 in Chinese were identified. There were 1159 cases of knee replacement patients. The results of meta-analysis indicated that there were statistical difference between two groups on intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.000), the number of deep venous thrombosis (P = 0.020), thigh pain (P = 0.000), knee hematoma (P = 0.030), wound infection (P = 0.040), skin ecchymosis area (P = 0.000), and the increasing rate of knee circumference of 3 days after the operation (P = 0.000), while there were no statistical differences with respect to the total blood loss (P = 0.100), the number of blood transfusions (P = 0.150), operation time (P = 0.120), length of hospital stay (P = 0.350), the number of pulmonary embolism (P = 0.310), and skin blisters (P = 0.170).

CONCLUSIONSThe tourniquet for total knee arthroplasty can reduce intraoperative blood loss, but can not reduce total blood loss and the number of blood transfusions transfusion, can not improve operative efficiency, can not shorten the hospitalization time and promote the knee joint functional recovery. Furthermore the tourniquet increases the probability of occurrence on deep vein thrombosis, wound infection, hematoma and ecchymosis knee, it also causes knee swelling and thigh pain. It suggests minimize to use tourniquet in total knee arthroplasty.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; adverse effects ; methods ; Humans ; Safety ; Tourniquets ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo screen microRNAs with specific expression of in hippocampus of rats with chronic stress induced depression model, and observe the effect of traditional Chinese medicine Chaihu Shugan San on the expression of microRNA in hippocampus.

METHODSD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: the normal control group, the model control group and the Chaihu Shugan San group. The depression model was replicated by unpredictable chronic mild stress combined with separation. Behavioral changes of the rats were observed by Open-field test and sucrose solution consumption test, and the expression of microRNAs in hippocampus was assayed by microRNA micro-array.

RESULTCompared with the normal control group, there were 13 specific miRNAs in hippocampus in the model control group with the expression difference of more than 2 times. Among them, down-regulating miRNAs included miR298, miR-130b, miR-135a, miR-323, miR-503, miR-15b, miR-532, and miR-125a, and the up-regulation miRNAs included miR7a, miR-212, miR-124, miR-139, and miR-182. Among the 13 specific miRNAs, miR-125a and miR-182 recovered to normal after intervention with Chaihu Shugan San in the Chaihu Shugan San group.

CONCLUSIONThis study preliminarily found that 13 specific miRNAs in hippocampus are related to depression. Among them, miR-125a and miR-182 recover to normal after intervention with Chaihu Shugan San, which may be the target points of the antidepressant effect of Chaihu Shugan San. We shall further analyze the target genes and their mechanisms.

Animals ; Antidepressive Agents ; administration & dosage ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Depression ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; psychology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUNDNon-valvular atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke; however, the appropriate intensity of anticoagulation therapy for Chinese patients has not been determined. The purpose of this study was to compare the safety and the efficacy of standard-intensity warfarin therapy, low-intensity warfarin therapy, and aspirin therapy for the prevention of ischemic events in Chinese patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

METHODSA total of 786 patients from 75 Chinese hospitals were enrolled in this study and randomized into three therapy groups: standard-intensity warfarin (international normalized ratio (INR) 2.1 to 2.5) group, low-intensity warfarin (INR 1.6 to 2.0) group and aspirin (200 mg per day) group. All patients were evaluated by physicians at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24 months after randomization to obtain a patient questionnaire, physical examination and related laboratory tests.

RESULTSThe annual event rates of ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) or systemic thromboembolism were 2.6%, 3.1% and 6.9% in the standard-intensity warfarin, low-intensity warfarin and aspirin groups, respectively (P = 0.027). Thromboembolic event rates in both warfarin groups were significantly lower than that in the aspirin group (P = 0.018, P = 0.044), and there was no significant difference between the two warfarin groups. Severe hemorrhagic events occurred in 15 patients, 7 (2.6%) in the standard-intensity warfarin group, 7 (2.4%) in the low-intensity warfarin group and 1 (0.4%) in the aspirin group. The severe hemorrhagic event rates in the warfarin groups were higher than that in the aspirin group, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.101). The mild hemorrhagic and total hemorrhagic event rates in the warfarin groups (whether in the standard-intensity warfarin group or low-intensity warfarin group) were much higher than that in the aspirin group with the annual event rates of total hemorrhages of 10.2%, 7.6% and 2.2%, respectively, in the 3 groups (P = 0.001). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in all cause mortality among the three study groups.

CONCLUSIONIn Chinese patients with NVAF, the warfarin therapy (INR 1.6 - 2.5) for the prevention of thromboembolic events was superior to aspirin.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anticoagulants ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Aspirin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Atrial Fibrillation ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Warfarin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between serum resistin level, cardiovascular risk factors and severity of coronary disease in acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

METHODSAfter evaluated by clinical history, electrocardiography, exercise tolerance tests, laboratory tests, and coronary angiography, 220 consecutive patients with suspected chest pain were divided into normal control group, stable angina pectoris (SAP) group, and ACS group, respectively. Baseline clinical characteristics, including height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, white blood cell count, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, were compared among three groups. ELISA was used to detect serum resistin levels. Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis was used to assess association between resistin and other traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to define the relationship between serum resistin level and SAP or ACS.

RESULTSSerum resistin level in ACS group (1.18+/-0.48 microg/L) was significantly higher than that in normal control and SAP groups (0.49+/-0.40 and 0.66+/-0.40 microg/L; P<0.01). Only in ACS group, increased serum resistin level was significantly correlated with hsCRP (r=0.262, P=0.004) and white blood cell count (r=0.347, P=0.001). Furthermore, serum resistin levels showed a stepwise increase with the number increase of > 50% stenosed coronary vessels. Multinomial logistic regression test demonstrated that serum resistin was a strong risk factor for ACS (OR=29.132, 95 % CI: 10.939-77.581, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONThese findings suggested the potential role of resistin in atherosclerosis and especially its involvement in ACS.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; blood ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Aged ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Coronary Disease ; blood ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Resistin ; blood ; Risk Factors