Objective To assess the anesthetic effect of different concentrations of hyperbaric ropivacaine used in lumbar anesthesia for elderly transurethral prostatic resection. Methods We randomly divided 58 elderly patients who un-derwent transurethral prostatic resection with ASA (American Surgical Association) physical status level Ⅰ-Ⅱ into 2 groups as group A and B, using numeric random table method. Each group includes 29 cases. After being punctured between L3-L4, patients were injected with 0.5%(group A) and 0.75%(group B) hyperbaric ropivacaine (diluted with 10%glucose) to the subarachnoid space in a speed of 0.1-0.3 mL/s and the overall dose was 12.5 mg in each case. Then the extents of sen-sory and motor block were compared between two groups, and their anesthesia effect and adverse reactions were also record-ed. Results Compared with group A, onset time of sensory block in group B was significantly shorter (P＜0.05), while onset time for motor block was of no significant difference;By contrast to group A, acting time of sensory block in group B pro-longed significantly (P＜0.05) while acting time of motor block was of no statistically significant difference(P>0.05);By con-trast to group A, the anesthesia effect of group B was more effective while the adverse reactions of the two groups was of no significant difference (P>0.05). Conclusion 0.75%hyperbaric ropivacaine in lumbar anesthesia for elderly patients un-dergoing transurethral prostatic resection could provide a better anesthesia and analgesia effect than 0.5%hyperbaric ropiva-caine without more significant adverse reactions.

Objective To determine the median effective effect-site concentration (EC50 ) of remifentanil inhibiting responses to laryngeal mask airway insertion when combined with propofol in elderly male patients . Methods Thirty ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ male patients ,aged 65>yr ,with body mass index <30 kg/m2 , scheduled for elective transurethral resection of bladder tumor or prostate under general anesthesia ,were enrolled in this study .Anesthesia was induced with target-controlled infusion of propofol with a target plasma concentration (Cp) of 3 μg/ml .When Observer′s Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (OAA/S ) score ≤1 ,remifentanil target-controlled infusion was started with the initial target Cp set at 4.0 ng/ml . The concentration of propofol was adjusted until BIS value reached 55-65 ,and then the laryngeal mask airway was inserted .Modified Dixon’s up-and-down method was used to determine the Cp of remifentanil . Each time the Cp of remifentanil increased/decreased in the next patient depending on whether or not the response to laryngeal mask airway insertion occurred . The ratio of the two successive Cps was 1.2 .The response to laryngeal mask airway insertion was defined as development of coughing ,laryngospasm and/or body movement during insertion or within 3 min after insertion .The number of patients in whom inhibition of responses to insertion was effective/ineffective was recorded .The EC50 of remifentanil required to inhibit responses to laryngeal mask airway insertion and the 95% confidence interval when combined with propofol were calculated .Results The EC50 (95% confidence interval ) of remifentanil required to inhibit responses to laryngeal mask airway insertion was 1.86 (1.64-2.12) ng/ml when combined with propofol in elderly male patients .Conclusion The EC50 of remifentanil required to inhibit responses to laryngeal mask airway insertion is 1.86 ng/ml when combined with propofol in elderly male patients .

Objective To analysis the consequence of current perception threshold (CPT) by different frequency and time of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Methods CPT of foramen area and arm area was measured to evaluate the effect of TENS. Different frequency and time of TENS was given to 30 healthy volunteers. Stimulating to Hegu, CPT of the foramen area and the arm area on the same side was measured. Results CPT of the foramen area increased with stimulation. Low frequency of TENS inhibited the chronic pain significantly(P＜0.05),high frequency of TENS inhibited both of the chronic pain and the acute pain(P＜0.05). The inhibition of pain is more influenced by the frequency of TENS than the time of it. Conclusion Channel and point of TENS can influence CPT of the specific reaction area. And the choice of appropriate frequency of the treatment is more important than extending the treatment time alone.

Objective To compare the inhibitory effects of Butorphanol and Dezocine on Etomidate-induced myoclo?nus. Methods A total of 150 patients with ASA physical statusⅠorⅡ, aged 40-65 yr, with body mass index (BMI) of 20-25 kg/m2, scheduled for elective operations under general anesthesia, were included in this study. Patients were randomly al?located into three groups (A, B and C) with 50 patients in each group. Group A was given intravenous Butorphanol 15 μg/kg for 30 s, group B was given Dezocine 0.1 mg/kg and group C was given equal volume of saline. After 2 min, etomidate 0.3 mg/kg was administrated to three groups. The occurrence and severity of myoclonus were recorded for 2 min after administration of Etomidate. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) and Bispectral index (BIS) were recorded at the time points before induction (T0), 2 min after the experimental drug treatment (T1), and 2 min after Etomi?date treatment (T2). At the same time, the concentration of serum potassium was determined at T0 and 5 min after endotrache?al intubation (T3) respectively. Results The positive incidences of myoclonus were 12%in group A, 22%in group B and 74%in group C, respectively. Compared with group C, the positive incidence rates of myoclonus and myoclonus scales were significantly lower in group A and group B (P<0.05), but no significant difference between group A and group B (P>0.05). Compared with T0, there was no significant difference in the potassium concentration between patients without myoclonus (grade 0) and patients with myoclonus (grade 1 and grade 2) at T3 (P>0.05). There was a significant increase in potassium concentration in patients with grade 3 (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in MAP, HR, SpO2 and BIS values at T0, T1 and T2 between three groups of patients (P>0.05). Conclusion Pre-treatment of Butorphanol (15μg/kg) or Dezocine (0.1 mg/kg) can reduce the Etomidate-induced myoclonus. At the same time, both therapies show no different effects on cir?culation and respiration system.

Objective To determine the median effective concentration (EC50) of lidocaine for obturator nerve block (ONB) guided by a nerve stimulator in patients undergoing transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT).Methods American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients with bladder tumor,scheduled for elective TURBT,required ONB according to the results of cystoscopy or CT examination performed before operation,with body mass index of 19-30 kg/m2,aged 18-64 yr,were enrolled in the study.ONB was performed with lidocaine using the suprainguinal approach under the guidance of a nerve stimulator.The concentration of lidocaine was determined by up-and-down sequential trial.The initial concentration of lidocaine was 1.5％,and the ratio between the two successive concentrations was 1.2.Successful ONB was considered to be positive response.The EC50 and 95％ confidence interval of lidocaine for ONB guided by a nerve stimulator was calculated.Results The EC50 of lidocaine was 0.57％,and the 95％ confidence interval was 0.55％-0.59％ when used for ONB guided by a nerve stimulator.Conclusion The EC50 of lidocaine is 0.57％ when used for ONB guided by a nerve stimulator in the patients undergoing TURBT.

Objective To compare butorphanol or midazolam alone and combination of the two drugs in preventing etomidate-induced myoclonus during anesthesia induction.Methods One hundred sixty patients, aged 40-64 yr, with body mass index of 20-25 kg/m2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ , scheduled for elective operations under general anesthesia, were randomly allocated into 4 groups with 40 patients in each group: control group (group C), butorphanol group (group B) , midazolam group (group M) , and butorphanol combined with midazolam group (group BM).Before induction of anesthesia, butorphanol 15.0 μg/kg, midazolam 50 μg/kg, and butorphanol 7.5 μg/kg combined with midazolam 25 μg/kg were injected intravenously over 30 s in B, M and BM groups, respectively.The equal volume of normal saline was given in group C.And 2 min later, etomidate 0.3 mg/kg was injected intravenously over 1 min.The occurrence of myoclonus was recorded within 2 min after administration of etomidate, and the severity of myoclonus was assessed.Results Compared with group C, the incidence and severity of myoclonus were significantly decreased in B, M and BM groups (P＜0.05).Compared with B and M groups, the incidence and severity of myoclonus were significantly decreased in group BM (P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence and severity of myoclonus between group B and group M (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Butorphanol or midazolam alone produces similar efficacy in preventing etomidate-induced myoclonus during anesthesia induction, and the combination of the two drugs provides better efficacy than either alone in the patients.

The oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis have been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple diseases. Recently, more and more research findings have demonstrated that hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) has the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects in vivo and in vitro, and can be used to treat multiple diseases, such as ischemia/reperfusion injury, stroke, neurodegeneration, sepsis, neuropathic pain and multiple organ dysfunction syn-drome diseases. This article reviews the possible mechanism of HRS for the treatment of diseases.

Objective To evaluate development of gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) during laparoscopic surgery in lateral jack-knife position under general anesthesia through comparing with reverse Trendelenburg/ Trendelenburg position in the patients lying supine.Methods Ninety patients of both sexes,aged 18-64 yr,of ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,with body mass index of 18-30 kg/m2,scheduled for elective laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =30 each):lateral jack-knife position group (group L),Trendelenburg position group (group T) and reverse Trendelenburg position group (group Tre).Anesthesia was induced with midazolam,sufentanil,propofol and cisatracurium besylate and maintained with propofol and remifentanil given by target-controlled infusion.A pH-sensitive probe was inserted through nose into the lower esophagus and pH value was continuously recorded until 1 min after extubation.GER was defined as pH value ≤ 4 lasting for ≥ 1 min in the lower esophagus during surgery.The development of GER during surgery and the lowest pH value in the lower esophagus when GER developed were recorded.Results Compared with group Tre,the incidence of GER (27％) and total number of times GER had occurred were significantly increased in group L,and no significant changes were found in the indices mentioned above in L and T groups.When GER developed,the lowest pH value in the lower esophagus was 2.1 ± 1.3,2.6 ± 1.2 and 3.5 in L,T and Tre groups,respectively.Conclusion The incidence of GER is 27 ％ during laparoscopic surgery when the patients are in lateral jack-knife position and it is higher than that obtained with reverse Trendelenburg position in the patients lying supine.

Objective To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine on the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) during hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) in human renal tubular epithelial cells.Methods Human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2 cells) cultured in vitro were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =24 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),dexmedetomidine group (group DEX),H/R group and H/R+ dexmedetomidine group (group H/R + DEX).In group C,the cells were incubated for 28 h in an incubator filled with normoxia at 37 ℃.In group DEX,dexmedetomidine 0.1 nmol/L (final concentration) was added to the culture medium and the cells were incubated for 2 h,and then incubated for 28 h in an incubator filled with normoxia at 37 ℃.In group H/R,the cells were incubated in an anaerobic chamber for 24 h at 37 ℃,and then incubated for 4 h in an incubator filled with normoxia at 37 ℃.In group H/R + DEX,the cells were incubated for 2 h in the culture medium containing dexmedetomidine 0.1 nmol/L (final concentration),incubated in an anaerobic chamber for 24 h at 37 ℃,and then incubated for 4 h in an incubator filled with normoxia at 37 ℃.After treatment in each group,the cell viability was measured by MTT assay,cell apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry,the expression of HIF-1α mRNA was detected using RT-PCR,the expression of HIF-1α and activated caspase-3 protein was detected by Western blot,and the cell growth was observed.The apoptosis rate was calculated.Results Compared with group C,the cell viability was significantly decreased,the apoptosis rate was increased,and the expression of HIF-1α mRNA and protein and activated caspase-3 protein was up-regulated in H/.R and H/R + DEX groups,and no significant change was found in group DEX.Compared with group H/R,the cell viability was significantly increased,the apoptosis rate was decreased,the expression of HIF-1α mRNA and protein was up-regulated,the expression of activated caspase-3 protein was down-regulated,and the cell status was significantly improved in group H/R + DEX.Conclusion The mechanism by which dexmedetomidine attenuates H/ R-induced damage to human renal tubular epithelial cells may be related to up-regulated expression of HIF-1 α and inhibited cell apoptosis.

Objective To investigate the effect of L-carnitine on the apoptosis in Schwann cells induced by high glucose.Methods The cell line RSC96 cultured in vitro were seeded in 96-well plates at a density of 1.5 × 104/ml (200 μl/well) or in 6-well plates at a density of 2 × 105/ml (2 ml/well) and cultured for 24 h.The cells were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =24 each) using a random number table:normal control group (group C),high glucose group (group H),high glucose + L-carnitine group (group H + L),and mannitol osmotic control group (group M).The cells in group C were incubated in the plain culture medium containing normal glucose (5.6 mmol/L).The cells were incubated in the medium containing glucose 50 mmol/L in group H or in the medium containing glucose 50 mmol/L and L-carnitine 50 μmol/L (final concentration) in group H + L.The cells were incubated in the medium containing normal glucose (5.6 mtmol/L) and mannitol 44.4 mmol/L in group M.At 48 h of incubation,cell growth conditions were observed under inverted microscope,superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was measured by xanthine oxidase method,malondialdehyde (MDA) content was measured by thiobarbituric acid test,cell viability was measured by MTT assay and cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry.The expression of activated caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) protein was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with group C,the cell viability and SOD activity were significantly decreased,MDA content and apoptotic rate were increased,and the expression of activated caspase-3 and PARP-1 protein was up-regulated in H and H + L groups,and no significant changes were found in group M.Compared with group H,the cell viability and SOD activity were significantly increased,MDA content and apoptotic rate were decreased,and the expression of activated caspase-3 and PARP-1 protein was down-regulated in group H + L.Conclusion L-camitine can attenuate high glucose-induced apoptosis in Schwann cells by inhibiting oxidative stress responses and down-regulating the expression of activated caspase-3 and PARP-1.