Objective To evaluate the effect of ketamine and elonidine on P2X4R mRNA expression in the spinal cord in a rat model of neuropathic pain.Methods Eighty male SD rats weighing 180-220 g were randomly divided inte 5 groups (n = 16 each): sham operation group (group S),neuropathic pain group (group NP),ketamine group (group K),clonidine group (group CL) and ketamine + clonidine group (group KC).The animals were anesthetized with intraperitoneal chloral hydrate 400 mg/kg.The right sciatic nerve was exposed and four ligatures were placed on the sciatic nerve at 1 mm interval.In group S,the right sciatic nerve was exposed but not ligated,and in the other groups four ligatures were placed around the right sciatic nerve (chronic constrictive injury,CCI) as described by Bennett.The animals were injected intraperitoneally with ketamine 10 mg/kg,clonidine 1 mg/kg,and ketamine 5 mg/kg + clonidine 0.5 mg/kg in normal saline 2 ml in group K,CL and KC respectively,while normal saline 2 ml in group S and NP at 3-21 d after CCI.Mechanical and thermal pain threshold were measured by paw withdrawal latencies to run Frey hair and radiant heat stimulation at 1 d before and 3,7,14,21 d after CCI.Four animals were killed at 1 d before (baseline) and 7,14 and 21 d after CCI following the measurement of pain threshold in each group and the L4.5 segments of the spinal cord were removed for determination of P2X4 R mRNA expression by RT-PCR.Results There was no significant change in thermal and mechanical paln threshold and P2X4 R mRNA expression in the spinal cord after CCI in group S ( P > 0.05),while thermal and mechanical pain threshold was reduced,and P2X4 R mRNA expression was up-regulated in the other four groups as compared with the baseline values (P < 0.05 ).Thermal and mechanical pain threshold was significantly higher and P2X4 R mRNA expression in the spinal cord lower after CCI in group K,CL and KC than in group NP ( P < 0.05 ).Thermal and mechanical pain threshold was significantly higher and P2X4 R mRNA expression lower after CCI in group KC than in group K ( P < 0.05),but no significant difference was found in the above parameters between group CL and K ( P > 0.05).Conclusion Both ketamine and clonidine can alleviate neuropathic pain via down-regulating the expression of P2X4 R mRNA in the spinal cord in a rat model of neuropathic pain.

Objective To evaluate the effect of intraperitoneal (IP) clonidine on the expression of GAP-43 mRNA in the spinal cord in a rat model of chronic neuropathic pain. Methods Thirty-six male SD rats weighing 180-220 g were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups (n=12 each) : group Ⅰsham operation (S); group Ⅱ chronic constriction injury (CCI) and group Ⅲ tP clonidine + CCI (CL). The animals were anesthetized with IP 10% chloral hydrate 300 mg/kg. The right sciatic nerve was exposed and 4 ligatures were placed in group CCI and CL. Clonidine 1 mg/kg was given IP immediately after surgery in group CL. Paw-withdrawal threshold (PWT) to thermal and von Frey filament stimulation was measured before (T_0, baseline) and at 3, 7 and 14 days after surgery (T_(1-3)). The animals were then killed. The lumbar segment of the spinal cord was removed for determination of the expression of GAP-43 mRNA. Results The PWT to thermal and mechanical stimulation was significantly reduced at 3 days after surgery (T_1) in group CCI and CL as compared with group S, and was significantly higher at T_2 and T_3 in group CL than in group CCI. The GAP-43 mRNA expression in the spinal cord was significantly increased in group CCI and CL as compared with group S and significantly lower in group CL than in group CCI. Conclusion lntraperitoneal clonidine can inhibit hyperalgesia by reducing the expression of GAP-43 mRNA in the spinal cord in a rat model of chronic neuropathic pain.

To furtherly reduce the subxiphoid port site pain,improve the cosmetic result and patient satisfaction,and increase the safety for patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy by advanced laparoscopic knotting skill.Methods:Among our 1500 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy since 1991,120 cases of modified laparoscopic cholecystectomy (MLC) were performed with three 5-mm ports and one 10-mm port(for laparoscope and sepcien withdrawn).There were 25 male and 95 female patients with an average age of 55 years (24～77years).The indications for MLC included polypoid lesions of gallbladder (21),simple cholecystitis(3),cholecystolithiasisi with chronic cholecystitis(84),with acute suppurative cholecystitis(7),with atrophic cholecystitis(5).Results:There were 5 patients underwent combined laparoscopic appendectomy(3),fenestration of hepatic cyst(1),and drainge for liver abscess(1).The average operative time for MLC was 55 minutes(30～150min),blood loss was 10ml(3～50ml),and postoperative stay was 3 days(1～5days).There were no conversion from MLC to either LC or open surgery,without mortality.Complications were limited to two patients(1.7%).One was retained common bile duct stone and another was port site bleeding after operation.They were treated by transduodenal endoscopic stone retrieval and simple suture ligation,respecrtively.Conclusions:The advantages of MLC conducted mainly by advanced laparoscopic knotting techniques were no more laparoscope (either 2-mm or 5-mm)needed,no sacrifice of good illumination and laproscopic image.Most of all,its costeffective and operative safety were all improved furtherly.

Objective To observe the effect of Rhizome Atractylodis Macrocephalae (RAM) on electrogastric arrhythmia in rats and its mechanisms. Methods A total of 30 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group, model group and RAM plus model group. The frequency of slow wave(FSW), coefficient of variation(CV) and abnormal rhythm index(ARI) were recorded and analyzed by computer. The substance P(SP), vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP) and nitric oxide synthase(NOS) nerves in antral myenteric plexus were observed by immunohistochemical staining. Results Compared with those of the control group, the CV and ARI in model group markedly increased( P 0.05). The denites of SP nerves markedly decreased( P 0.05). Conclusion RAM has regulative effect on the electrogastric arrhythmia in rats and the mechanisms may be related with the increased SP nerves and decreased VIP and NOS nerves in antral myenteric plexus.

Leptin,a pleiotrophic hormone mainly synthesized by adipocytes,is an important signaling molecule in energy regulation and food intake.Recent studies have shown that Certain cancers are associated with leptin.This article reviews leptin's pathophysiological role in prostate cancer progression.

Objective To study the electrophysiological characteristics of early-differentiated neural stem cells(NSC)in embryonic rats.Methods NSC were isolated from hippocampus of embryonic rats and cultured.The cells were plated onto poly-llysine hydrochloride glass cover-slips for 1 h or differentiated for 1-3 d in a differentiation medium.Whole cell patch-clamp technique was used to record the voltage-gated ion channel current.Results No inward Na+ current was detected in any undifferentiated NSC.One day after induction of differentiation,the cells exhibited a voltage-gated Na+ current,but could not induce an action potential.Two types of outward K+ current(delayed rectifier K+ and transient K+ current) and inward T-type Ca2+ current were detected in NSC and early-differentiated NSC.Conclusion The functional expression of Na+ current is a marker of early differentiation of NSC following cell cycle exit.Early differentiation of NSC is an important development stage of their ion channels.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the changes of portal vein pressure by (PVP) radionuclide imaging in cirrhotic patients undergoing portacaval shunt or esophageal transection-splenectomy.MethodThe radionuclide imaging was used to calculate portal pressure perioperatively in 15 shunt and 20 esophageal transection-splenectomy patients of portal hypertension.Results were compared with direct portal vein manometry.ResultPVP by manometry in portal hypertension patients 〔(37?4)?cm?H 2O〕 was very close to that calculated by preoperative imaging 〔(36?4)?cm?H 2O〕r=0.81,P

Objective To evaluate the application of helix hydro-jet in laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH).Methods Clinical data of 18 patients who underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy by helix hydro-jet were analyzed retrospectively.Results There were 18 cases including 9 cases of hepatic cavernous hemangioma,5 cases of primary hepatocellular carcinoma,2 cases of hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia,1 case of hepatic metastasis from colon carcinoma and 1 case of biliary cystadenoma in left liver.In 17 out of 18 patients laparoscopic hepatectomy was successfully completed by using helix hydro-jet.Only 1 patient was converted to open hepatectomy during operation due to uncontrollable hemorrhage from the branch of left hepatic vein.Partial hepatectomy was performed in 14 cases and hepatic left lateral hepatectomy was performed in 3 cases.Average intraoperative blood loss was 230 ml and average operation time was 170 minutes.No postoperative hemorrhage and hepatic function failure was observed.Postoperative bile leakage was observed in 1 patient,which was cured by drainage.Asymptomatic pleural effusions was found in 2 patients,necessitating no special intervention.The average hospital stay after the surgery was 5.6 days.5 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were followed up for an average of 17 months and the patient converted to open hepatectomy suffered from tumor recurrence 13 month postoperatively.No implantation metastasis was observed on the trocar sites.Conclusions Laparoscopic hepatectomy by helix hydro-jet device can provide excellent visualization of vessels and bile ducts,which can assure the safe margin of hepatic neoplasm.No severe complications were observed.Laparoscopic hepatectomy by helix hydro-jet is a safe and feasible technique.

0.05),Conclusion The possibihty of thymoma should be considered among those late-onset SLE patients.The glucocorticoid-based immunosuppressive therapy is effective for thymoma-associated SLE.To treat SLE is not an indication for thymectomy.

Objective　To study the mechanisms of Pericarpium Arecae. Methods　A total of Wistar rats were randomly divided into Pericarpium Arecae group and control group, Pericarpium Arecae decoction or distilled water were given respectively. Changes of gastrointestinal motility rats were assayed by Dextran blue-2000 after 1 and 6 hours. The distributions of SP and VIP in antrum and jejunum were investigated by immunohistochemistry assay. Results　The gastrointestinal motility of rats was markedly enhanced (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The expressions of SP increased significantly (P<0.01 or P<0.05) and the expressions of VIP decreased significantly (P<0.01 or P<0.05) in antrum and jejunum of rats at 1 and 6 h after Pericarpium Arecae decoction was given. The changes were more obvious at 1 h than at 6 h. Conclusion　The kinetogenic effect of Pericarpium Arecae is closely correlated to the increase of SP expression and the decrease of VIP expression in gastrointestinal tract.