Objective To investigate the design of cuffed pediatric tracheal tubes and compare the effects of different tracheal intubation depth placement strategies on the position of the tracheal tube tip and cuff of 5 tracheal tube brands.Methods A total of 180 children who were admitted to Tianjin Children's Hospital from October 2020 to December 2021,with endotracheal intubation under general anesthesia,aged 1-6 years,were enrolled.The length of the subglottic airway was measured by electronic bronchoscopy.Dimensional data from 5 cuffed pediatric tracheal tube brands were recorded,including the length of the tracheal tube cuff,the distance from the tip of the tracheal tube to the upper edge of the cuff,and the tip of the tracheal tube to the lower edge of the tube glottis marker line the distance.Calculation of the required cuffed endotracheal tube internal diameter(ID)for 180 pediatric patients was performed based on the Motoyama formula,the positions of tracheal tube tip and upper cuff border were calculated for each of the 180 tracheas using depth mark to based tracheal tube placement,placement of the tracheal tube tip at 2 cm above the carina,and mid-tracheal tube placement.Results There were differences in the dimensional data of the 5 cuffed pediatric tracheal tube brands.Depth mark-based tracheal tube placement resulted in the incidence rate of tube tip to carina placement less than 1 cm was 3.9%-67.8%,and the highest incidence of bronchial intubation is Ruijing,up to 17.8%.The tracheal tube tip was placed 2 cm above the carina,and no improper placement of the tracheal tube cuff and tube tip was found in all brands.Mid-tracheal tube placement led to 100%subglottic and supraglottic tracheal tube cuff positions,except Weili.Conclusions There are differences in design between different brands of cuffed pediatric tracheal tube,and some of the design deficiencies may lead to the risk of airway complications.The method used to guide the insertion depth and the brand of cuffed tracheal tubes can affect the tracheal tube position.Placement of the tracheal tube tip at 2 cm above the carina allowed safe tracheal tube placement in children aged 1-6 years.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of inhaling high concentration hydrogen on myocardial injury and mitochondrial biogenesis in septic mice.Methods:One hundred and twenty-eight clean-grade healthy male C57BL/6J mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=32 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (group Sham), sham operation + hydrogen group (group Sham+ H), sepsis group (group Sep), and sepsis+ hydrogen group (group Sep+ H). The sepsis model was developed by cecal ligation and puncture in anesthetized animals. In Sham+ H and Sep+ H groups, 67% H 2 was inhaled for 1 h starting from 1 and 6 h after operation, respectively. Twenty mice in each group were randomly selected to observe the survival conditions at 7 days after operation. Blood samples were taken from the remaining mice at 24 h after operation for determination of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), for examination of the pathological changes of myocardial tissues (by HE staining), and for determination of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) (by fluorescence spectrophotometry), ATP content (by luciferase assay), and expression of myocardial peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor 2 (NRF2) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) (by Western blot). Results:Compared with Sham group, the survival rate was significantly decreased, the serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, cTnI and CK-MB and pathological score were increased, the MMP and content of ATP in myocardial mitochondria were decreased, and the expression of PGC-1α, NRF2 and TFAM in myocardial tissues was down-regulated in Sep group ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in Sham+ H group ( P>0.05). Compared with group Sep, the survival rate was significantly increased, the serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, cTnI and CK-MB and pathological score were decreased, the MMP and content of ATP in myocardial mitochondria were increased, and the expression of PGC-1α, NRF2 and TFAM in myocardial tissues was up-regulated in group Sep+ H ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Inhaling high concentration hydrogen can attenuate sepsis-induced myocardial injury in mice, and the mechanism may be related to promotion of mitochondrial biosynthesis and improvement in mitochondrial function.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of inhalation of high-concentration hydrogen on acute kidney injury (AKI) and mitochondrial dynamics in septic mice.Methods:One hundred and twenty-eight male C57BL/6J mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=32 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (group Sham), sham operation + hydrogen group (group Sham+ H), sepsis AKI group, and sepsis AKI+ hydrogen group (group S-AKI+ H). A mouse model of sepsis-induced AKI was developed by cecal ligation and puncture in anesthetized animals. In Sham+ H and S-AKI+ H groups, 67% H 2+ 33% O 2 was inhaled for 1 h starting from 1 and 6 h after sham operation or developing the model, respectively. Twenty mice were selected to observe the survival at 7 days after developing the model. At 24 h after developing the model, blood samples were collected for determination of serum BUN and Cr concentrations (by colorimetric analysis), and renal tissues were obtained for determination of the contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) (by spectrophotometry) and expression of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) (by Western blot). The damage to the renal tubules was scored after HE staining. Results:Compared with Sham group, the survival rate was significantly decreased, the serum BUN and Cr concentrations, renal tubular damage score and contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and HMGB1 were increased, the activities of SOD and CAT were decreased, the expression of Drp1 was up-regulated, and the expression of Mfn2 was down-regulated in S-AKI group ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in Sham+ H group ( P>0.05). Compared with S-AKI group, the survival rate was significantly increased, the serum BUN and Cr concentrations, renal tubular injury score and contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and HMGB1 were decreased, the activities of SOD and CAT were increased, the expression of Drp1 was down-regulated, and the expression of Mfn2 was up-regulated in S-AKI+ H group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Inhalation of high-concentration hydrogen can alleviate AKI in septic mice, and the mechanism may be related to inhibition of renal mitochondrial fission and promotion of mitochondrial fusion.

Objective:To compare the myocardial protection in pediatric patients undergoing living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) performed under propofol- versus desflurane-based anesthesia. Methods:Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅲ or Ⅳ pediatric patients of both sexes, aged 5-24 months, weighing 5-15 kg, scheduled for elective LDLT under general anesthesia, were divided into 2 groups ( n=30 each) using a random number table method: propofol group (group P) and desflurane anesthesia group (group D). During anesthesia maintenance, propofol 5-10 mg·kg -1·min -1 was intravenously infused in group P, desflurane 0.65 MAC-1.30 MAC was inhaled in group D. At 5 min after induction of anesthesia, at 1 h of reperfusion, at the end of surgery, at 1, 2, 3, 7 and 14 days after surgery, and on the day of discharge, the concentrations of serum high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I, creatine kinase isoenzyme, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the occurrence of nausea and vomiting, agitation, and shivering, postoperative tracheal extubation time, intensive care unit stay time, and postoperative length of hospital stay were recorded within 24 h after surgery. Results:Compared with group P, the concentrations of serum high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I and creatine kinase isoenzyme were significantly decreased after surgery, the extubation time and intensive care unit stay time were shortened ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide concentrations, postoperative length of hospital stay and incidence of postoperative adverse effects at each time point in group D ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Desflurane has better myocardial protection than propofol in pediatric patients undergoing LDLT, which is helpful for early prognosis.

Objective:To identify the risk factors for early acute lung injury (ALI) after living-related liver transplantation in pediatric patients and evaluate the value of the risk factors in prediction of ALI.Methods:Perioperative data of patients were obtained through the electronic medical records system. Patients were divided into non-ALI group and ALI group according to whether ALI occurred within the first week after surgery. The risk factors of which P values were less than 0.05 would enter the multiple logistic regression analysis to stratify ALI-related risk factors. Area under the ROC curve was used to analyze the value of the risk factors in prediction of postoperative ALI. Results:A total of 67 patients were enrolled, including 45 cases in non-ALI group and 22 cases in ALI group. Increased intraoperative blood transfusion volume and up-regulated expression of miR-122 and miR-21 were independent risk factors for the occurrence of postoperative ALI ( P<0.05), and the area under the ROC curve (95% confidence interval) of serum miR-122 and miR-21 expression was 0.946 (0.875 to 1.00), with sensitivity and specificity of 95% and 90%, respectively. Conclusions:Increased intraoperative blood transfusion volume and up-regulated expression of serum miR-122 and miR-21 are independent risk factors for early postoperative ALI, and serum miR-122 and miR-21 levels have a high value in prediction of the development of postoperative ALI in pediatric patients undergoing living-related liver transplantation.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of berberine on necroptosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice and its relationship with adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/ signal transducer and activator of transcription 6(STAT6) pathway.Methods:Twenty-five 8-week-old male C57BL/6N mice were divided into control group, steatotic liver group, berberine treatment group(200 mg·kg -1·d -1), AMPK inhibitor Compound C treatment group(0.2 mg·kg -1·d -1), and STAT6 inhibitor AS1517499 treatment group(10 mg·kg -1·d -1). After 12 weeks of intervention, the mice and liver tissue were weighed, and serum aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), triglyceride, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β) as well as liver malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase were measured; liver tissue HE, Masson, and oil red O staining were performed. Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of necroptosis related proteins[receptor interaction protein kinase 3(RIPK3), phosphorylated(p-) mixed lineage kinase domain-like(MLKL)], AMPK, p-AMPK, and p-STAT6. Results:Compared with control group, the steatotic liver group had higher quality of liver and liver index, and higher levels of serum AST, ALT, triglyceride, TNF-α, IL-1β, and oxidative stress( P<0.05); Liver tissue was full of cavity changes and inflammatory cell infiltration, widely distributed red lipid droplets and obvious blue fiber dyeing; The expressions of RIPK3 and p-MLKL were up-regulated ( P<0.05), but the levels of p-AMPK and p-STAT6 were relatively reduced ( P<0.05). Compared with the steatotic liver group, berberine intervention decreased liver quality and liver index, improved liver function, reduced blood lipid levels, pro-inflammatory factor expression and oxidative stress level, and significantly alleviated the degree of liver steatosis and fibrosis, the levels of RIPK3 and p-MLKL ( P<0.05), while the expressions of p-AMPK and p-STAT6 were increased significantly ( P<0.05). As compared with the berberine treatment, AMPK and STAT6 inhibitor treatment could offset the protective effect of berberine on steatotic liver, moreover, the expressions of RIPK3 and p-MLKL were increased ( P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in AMPK total protein content among the five groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Berberine can activate AMPK/STAT6 pathway to inhibit the necroptosis of hepatocyte, thus plays a protective role on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice.

Objective:To evaluate the role of ecto-5′-nucleotidase (CD73) in endogenous protective mechanism of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in mice and the relationship with transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β 1)/Smad3 signaling pathway. Methods:Twenty-four SPF healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 8-10 weeks, weighing 20-23 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=8 each) by the random number table method: sham operation group (S group), hepatic I/R group (IR group) and hepatic I/R plus CD73 specific inhibitor group (APCP group). The hepatic hilum was only exposed but not occluded in group S. The hepatic portal was occluded for 30 min followed by reperfusion to develop the model of hepatic I/R in anesthetized animals in group IR.CD73-specific inhibitor APCP 40 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected, and 10 min later hepatic I/R was performed.Orbital venous blood samples were collected at 6 h of reperfusion for determination of serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) concentrations.Then the mice were sacrificed, and liver tissues were obtained for determination of the expression of CD73, TGF-β 1 and phosphorylated Smad3 (p-Smad3) (by Western blot), contents of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (with a visible spectrophotometer) and for microscopic examination of the pathological changes of liver tissues (with a light microscope). Results:Compared with group S, the concentrations of AST and ALT in serum and contents of IL-1β, TNF-α and MDA in liver tissues were significantly increased, the activity of SOD was decreased, and the expression of CD73, TGF-β 1 and p-Smad3 was up-regulated in IR and APCP groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group IR, the concentrations of AST and ALT in serum and contents of IL-1β, TNF-α and MDA in liver tissues were significantly increased, the activity of SOD was decreased, and the expression of CD73, TGF-β 1 and p-Smad3 in liver tissues was down-regulated in group APCP ( P<0.05). The pathological changes of liver tissues were accentuated in group APCP as compared with group IR. Conclusions:CD73 is involved in the process of endogenous protective mechanism of hepatic I/R injury in mice, which may be related to the regulation of TGF-β 1/Smad3 signaling pathway.

Objective:To evaluate the role of microRNA-10a (miRNA-10a) in renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in mice and the relationship with transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β 1)/Smad2 signaling pathway. Methods:Twenty-four SPF healthy male adult C57BL/6 mice, aged 8-10 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=6 each) by the random number table method: sham operation group (S group), renal I/R group (IR group), renal I/R plus miRNA-10a antagonist group (I group), and renal I/R+ miRNA-10a agonist group (M group). The mouse model of renal I/R was developed by clamping the left renal pedicle for 45 min followed by reperfusion in anesthetized animals.miRNA-10a antagonist and agonist 20 nmol were injected via the tail vein once every 24 h for 3 consecutive days starting from 72 h before surgery in group M and group I, respectively, while the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in S and IR groups.Blood samples were collected from the orbital vein at 24 h of reperfusion to determine the concentrations of the serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Then the mice were sacrificed, and the kidney tissues were taken for determination of the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, contents of interleukin-1 beta (IL-β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and expression of TGF-β 1 and phosphorylated Smad2 (p-Smad2) (by Western blot) and for microscopic examination of the pathological changes.The damage to the renal tubules was scored. Results:Compared with group S, the concentrations of Scr and BUN, contents of MDA, IL-1β and TNF-α in renal tissues and renal tubular damage score were significantly increased in IR, I and M groups, and the activity of SOD was significantly decreased, and the expression of TGF-β 1 and p-Smad2 was up-regulated in IR and M groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group IR, the concentrations of Scr and BUN, contents of MDA, IL-1β and TNF-α in renal tissues and renal tubular damage score were significantly decreased, the activity of SOD was increased, and the expression of TGF-β 1 and p-Smad2 was down-regulated in group I, and the concentrations of Scr and BUN, contents of MDA, IL-1β and TNF-α in renal tissues and renal tubular damage score were significantly increased, the activity of SOD was decreased, and the expression of TGF-β 1 and p-Smad2 was up-regulated in group M ( P<0.05). Compared with group I, the concentrations of Scr and BUN, contents of MDA, IL-1β and TNF-α in renal tissues and renal tubular damage score were significantly increased, the activity of SOD was decreased, and the expression of TGF-β 1 and p-Smad2 was up-regulated in group M ( P<0.05). Conclusions:miRNA-10a is involved in the process of renal I/R injury and is related to activation of TGF-β 1/Smad2 signaling pathway in mice.

Objective:To evaluate the role of silencing information regulator 1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factors E2-related factor2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway in berberine-induced reduction of renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in mice.Methods:Thirty SPF healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 18-22 g, were divided into 5 groups ( n=6 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (S group), renal I/R group (RIR group), berberine+ I/R group (B group), berberine+ I/R+ SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 group (BE group) and berberine+ I/R+ Nrf2 inhibitor ATRA group (BA group). After the right kidney was removed, the left renal artery was clamped for 45 min followed by reperfusion to establish the model of renal I/R injury.In B, BE, and BA groups, berberine 100 mg·kg -1·d -1 was given for intragastric administration at 14 days before surgery.In group BE and group BA, EX527 5 mg·kg -1·d -1 and ATRA 10 mg·kg -1·d -1 were injected intraperitoneally at 3 days before surgery, respectively.The equal volume of normal saline was given for 14 consecutive days in group S and group RIR.Blood samples were collected from orbital vein at 24 h of reperfusion for measurement of serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) concentrations, for determination of the interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) contents (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and expression of SIRT1, Nrf2, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD (ASC), caspase-1, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor containing pyrin domain (NLRP3) (by Western blot) and for examination of the pathological changes of renal tubules (with a light microscope). The damage to the renal tubules was scored. Results:Compared with group S, the concentrations of serum Cr and BUN, the contents of renal IL-1β and TNF-α and renal tubular injury score were significantly increased in RIR, B, BE and BA groups, the expression of SIRT1, Nrf2, ASC, caspase-1 and NLRP3 was up-regulated in RIR, BE and BA groups, and the expression of SIRT1, Nrf2, caspase-1 and NLRP3 was up-regulated in group B ( P<0.05). Compared with group RIR, the concentrations of serum Cr and BUN, the contents of renal IL-1β and TNF-α and renal tubular injury score were significantly decreased in B, BE and BA groups, the expression of SIRT1 and Nrf2 in group B, Nrf2 and ASC in BE group and SIRT1, ASC and caspase-1 in BA group was up-regulated, and the expression of ASC, caspase-1 and NLRP3 in group B, SIRT1 and NLRP3 in BE group and Nrf2 in BA group was down-regulated ( P<0.05). Compared with group B, the serum concentrations of Cr and BUN, the contents of IL-1β and TNF-α and renal tubular injury score were significantly increased in BE and BA groups, the expression of ASC, caspase-1 and NLRP3 in BE and BA groups was up-regulated, and the expression of SIRT1 in BE and Nrf2 in BA groups was down-regulated ( P<0.05). Conclusion:SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling pathway is involved in the process of berberine-induced reduction of renal I/R, which is related to inhibiting pyroptosis in mice.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of intrathecal morphine and fentanyl on interferon (IFN)-γ levels in hippocampus and plasma of rats with incisional pain.Methods:Ninety-six healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats in which intrathecal catheters were successfully inserted, weighing 180-220 g, aged 6-8 weeks, were divided into 4 groups ( n=24 each) using a random number table method: normal saline group (group NS), incisional pain group (group P), morphine and fentanyl group (group MF) and morphine and fentanyl with incisional pain group (group MFP). Incisional pain model was established in group P and group MFP.At 20 min before the model was established, a 50 μl mixture of morphine 5 μg/kg and fentanyl 0.25 μg/kg was intrathecally injected in group MF and group MFP, while normal saline 50 μl was injected intrathecally in group NS and group P. At 24 h before establishment of the model (T 0) and at 1, 6, 24, 48 and 72 h after establishment of the model (T 1-5), 6 mice were randomly selected from each group for determination of the mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL). The animals were sacrificed and hippocampal tissues and blood samples from the inferior vena cava were collected for determination of IFN-γ levels in hippocampal tissues and plasma (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Results:Compared with group NS, MWT was significantly decreased and TWL was shortened at T 1-5, and IFN-γ concentration in plasma was decreased at T 2, 3 and T 5 in group P, MWT was increased and TWL was prolonged at T 1-3 in group MF, MWT was decreased and TWL was shortened at T 1-3 in group MFP, and IFN-γ concentration in plasma was decreased at T 2 in MF and MFP groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group P, MWT was increased, TWL was prolonged at T 1-5, and IFN-γ concentration in plasma was increased at T 2, 3 and T 5 in MF and MFP groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group MF, MWT was decreased and TWL was shortened at T 1-4, and IFN-γ concentration in plasma was increased at T 2 and T 3 in MFP ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in IFN-γ concentration at each time point among the 4 groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Intrathecal morphine and fentanyl can increase plasma IFN-γ concentration, and improve peripheral immunosuppression.