Objective To evaluate the variables which can be used as prognostic factors in predicting the outcome of Graves disease(GD)after treatment with antithyroid drugs.Methods We performed a retrospective audit of 204 patients with newly diagnosed Graves disease consecutively at the Ruijin Hospital.Results Overall,110 patients(53.9%)were considered to be treatment failures.Age at the time of diagnosis was(31.0±12.2)years in the successful group and(36.3±14.0)years in the failure group.Free T3(FT3)was(25.60±9.52)pmol/L and(19.16±6.38)pmol/L in the failure and the successful group(P=0.001).FT3 to FT4 ratio and thyrotrophin recptor antibody(TRAb)levels were higher in the failure group(P=0.001).Logistic regression analysis showed that thyroid size,FT3 to FT4 ratio and TRAb at the time of diagnosis were associated with failure outcome.The patients reached euthyroid state at 3,6,9 and 12 months respectively and in the failure group the patients with continued thyrotropin suppression were more than those in the successful group(P=0.001).Conclusions Graves disease patients with large thyroid size,high levels of TRAb and FT3 to FT4 ratio before drug treatment are more likely to fail to respond to antithyroid drug treatment.We also found that patients with continuing thyrotropin suppression and attainmen of euthyroid state in the course of treatment had low remission rate and prolonged therapy.

Objective To explore the mechanism of persistent thyrotropin suppression in euthyroid patients with Graves′ disease after antithyroid drugs (ATD) treatment. Methods A prospective clinical study was performed in 122 patients with newly diagnosed Graves′ disease. All the patients were treated with 30 mg methimazole or 300 mg propylthiouracil daily, to whom L-T4was added, aiming at normalizing FT3 and FT4 but avoiding elevated TSH level. When the patients were clinically and biochemically euthyroid for at least 3 months, their blood levels of thyroid hormones, TSH, TSH receptor antibody(TRAb) and thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPOAb) were detected again and the cases were divided into two groups according to negative or positive TRAb. Results After treatment as long as (7.1±1.1) months, stable euthyroid status was restored for 3 months. When the patients reached the euthyroid state, 64 of them still had detectable TRAb levels, and 58 became negative TRAb. The two groups had similar levels of FT3 and FT4, but patients with positive TRAb had lower TSH level than patients with negative TRAb[0.044 mIU/L(0.001-4.163 mIU/L) vs 1.749 mIU/L(0.079-4.646 mIU/L),P＜0.01]. In addition, the TSH level was negatively correlated with TRAb level (r=-0.539, P＜0.01), and not with FT3, FT4 levels or other factors. Conclusion The present study showed that elevated TRAb level is associated with persistent suppression of TSH in patients with Graves′ disease after being rendered euthyroid. This finding may be due to the binding of TRAb to pituitary TSH receptor.

Objective To observe the effect of sevoflurane in promoting the proliferation of adult rat neural stem cells (NSCs) in vitro and explore its possible molecular mechanisms. Methods Adult rat NSCs in routine cell culture were identified with immunofluorescence labeling using nestin antibody. After a 2-h culture, the NSCs were placed in an airtight and temperature-controlled cell culture chamber for a 2-h exposure to sevoflurane at the concentrations of 1.3%, 1.9%, 2.7%, and 3.3%. The cells were then routinely cultured in the presence of 5% CO2 for 24 h. DAPI staining was used to assess the changes in cell proliferation and apoptosis, and Western blot performed to detect the phosphorylation level of cAMP response clement binding protein (CREB). Results Compared with the control cells, the NSCs exposed to 1.9%, 2.7%, and 3.3% sevoflurane showed significantly increased cell number after the 24-h incubation, and the increment increased significantly with the concentration of sevoflurane (P<0. 05). Western blotting detected the presence of CREB and phospho-CREB expressions in both the control cells and the cells exposed to 1.3% and 1.9% sevoflurane, and the expression levels were the highest in cells exposed to 1.9% sevoflurane (P<0.05). Conclusion Sevoflurane can promote the proliferation of adult rat NSCs in vitro possibly by enhancing the phosphorylation of CREB.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of methylprednisolone pretreatment on pulmonary lung permeability index and the content of the pulmonary surfactant dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) in a rabbit model of reexpansion pulmonary edema.

METHODSTwenty-one male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into control group, reexpansion, and reexpansion+methylprednisolone pretreatment groups. The rabbit model of reexpansion pulmonary edema was established using Sakaos method. A bolus dosage of methylprednisolone (3 mg/kg) in reexpansion+methylprednisolone group group or 2.0 ml/kg normal saline in the other two groups was administered intravenously 20 min before reexpansion pulmonary edema. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and arterial blood samples were collected for measurement of the total protein (TP) and DPPC contents 4 h after reexpansion, and the pulmonary permeability index was calculated.

RESULTSThe pulmonary permeability index in methylprednisolone pretreatment group was significantly lower than that in the reexpansion group (0.007∓0.002 vs 0.177∓0.004, P<0.05). Methylprednisolone pretreatment significantly increased DPPC concentration in the BALF as compared with saline treatment in the reexpansion group (61.815∓28.307 vs 101.955∓24.544 µg/ml, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONMethylprednisolone pretreatment can increase pulmonary surfactant content and improve pulmonary permeability in the rabbit model of reexpansion pulmonary edema.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine ; analysis ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Capillary Permeability ; drug effects ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; pharmacology ; Permeability ; Pulmonary Edema ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Pulmonary Surfactants ; metabolism ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy of sufentanil and fentanyl at equivalent dose for patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) after thoracotomy.

METHODSSixty ASA I-II patients (20-60 years of age) undergoing radical operation for lung or esophageal cancer were randomly divided into sufentanil intravenous analgesia group (group S, with sufentanil 1 microg/ml) and fentanyl intravenous analgesia group (group F, fentanyl 10 microg/ml). PCIA was administered with background infusion of 2.5 ml/h, bolus injection of 2.5 ml and lockout time of 15 min. The pain intensity according to visual analogue scale (VAS), cumulative analgesic consumption (CAC), sedative scores and side effects at 24 and 48 h after administration were recorded. SpO(2), respiratory rate (RR), blood pressure (BP) and ECG were continuously monitored.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in CAC between the two groups, but he VAS was lower in group S than in group F (P<0.05) and the sedative efficacy was superior in group S (P<0.05). The incidence of nausea and vomiting in group S was lower than that in group F (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in SpO(2), RR, heart rate and mean arterial pressure between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONPCIA with sufentanil provides better efficacy of analgesia and sedation with lower incidence of nausea and vomiting than with fentanyl in postoperative patients with thoracotomy.

Adult ; Analgesia, Patient-Controlled ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Female ; Fentanyl ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Lung Neoplasms ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nausea ; chemically induced ; Pain, Postoperative ; drug therapy ; Sufentanil ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Thoracotomy ; Vomiting ; chemically induced

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of propofol at doses for different anesthesia depths on γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in different cerebral regions at propofol uptake equilibrium in dogs.

METHODSTwelve 12-18-month-old healthy hybrid dogs weighing 10-12 kg were randomly divided into light anesthesia group (n=6) and deep anesthesia group (n=6) with a single bolus dose of propofol (5.5 and 7.0 mg/kg, respectively) completed in 15 s followed by intravenous propofol infusion at a constant rate (55 and 70 mg·kg(-1)·h(-1), respectively). Blood samples (2 ml) were taken from the internal carotid artery and jugular vein to measure plasma propofol concentrations 50 min after the start of the infusion. The dogs were then sacrificed and tissues were taken from different brain regions and the cervical cord to measure GABA concentrations using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC).

RESULTSThe plasma propofol concentrations in internal carotid artery and jugular vein were similar in both light anesthesia group (3.00 ± 0.31 and 3.10 ± 0.51 µg/ml, respectively, P>0.05) and deep anesthesia group (6.41 ± 0.05 and 6.40 ± 0.11 µg/ml, respectively, P>0.05). GABA concentrations in the brain regions were significantly higher in deep anesthesia group than in light anesthesia group (P<0.05). The dorsal thalamus and hypothalamus showed greater GABA variations [(83.83 ± 2.230%) and (85.83 ± 1.72)%] compared to other brain regions at different anesthesia depths (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIn both groups, plasma propofol concentrations in the internal carotid artery and internal jugular vein reach equilibrium at 50 min of propofol infusion. The variation of GABA is associated with the anesthesia depth of propofol, and GABA variation in the dorsal thalamus and hypothalamus plays an important role in propofol anesthesia.

Anesthetics, Intravenous ; pharmacokinetics ; Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Dogs ; Female ; Male ; Propofol ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of propofol on the proliferation and differentiation of rat embryonic neural stem cells in vitro.

METHODSEmbryonic neural stem cells of fetal Wistar rats (gestational age of 14-16 days) in primary culture, after identification for nestin expression, were divided into control group, introlipid group, and propofol groups (treated with propofol at the doses of 5, 25, 50, and 100 µmol/L). The changes in the proliferation of the embryonic neural stem cells after the treatments were observed using Brdu incorporation assay. In the course of induced differentiation of the embryonic neural stem cells, 50 µmol/L propofol was added in the cells to assess its impact on the differentiation of the cells by immunohistochemical detection of NeuN and GFAP expressions.

RESULTSMore than 95% of the embryonic neural stem cells in primary culture were Nestin-positive. The percentages of Brdu-positive cells showed no significant changes after treatment with different concentrations of propofol, whereas the addition of 50 µmol/L propofol resulted in a significant increase of NeuN-positive cell percentage to (23.1∓0.9)% as compared with that of (13.4∓0.8)% in the control group (P<0.05) without affecting the GFAP-positive cells.

CONCLUSIONClinically relevant doses of propofol have no obvious effect on the proliferation of rat neural stem cells cultured in vitro, but can induce their differentiation into neuron-like cells.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Female ; Neural Stem Cells ; cytology ; Pregnancy ; Propofol ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo define the ideal time window for intubation after rocuronium administration during target-controlled infusion (TCI) ofpropofol and sulfentanil.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty elective surgical patients (age range 18-55 years) were randomized into 4 groups (n=30) according to the intubation time after administration of the muscle relaxant. Patients with predicted difficult airway were excluded. General anesthesia was induced by TCI of propofol and sulfentanil. A senior anesthesiologist blinded for the randomization performed the intubations at 1, 2, 3, or 4 min after injection of rocuronium, and the vocal card visibility was evaluated upon full exposure of the vocal cord and the intubation conditions assessed according to Cooper's score.

RESULTSThe intubation conditions were excellent or good in all patients, but the vocal cord visibility at 2-4 min differed significantly from that at 1 min after rocuronium administration (P<0.01). Suppression of the neuromuscular function 1 min after rocuronium administration differed significantly from that at other time points (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe condition of vocal cord can be more suitable for intubation at 2-4 min than at 1 min after rocuronium administration as the ideal time window for intubation during TCI of propofol and sulfentanil.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Androstanols ; administration & dosage ; Anesthetics, Intravenous ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Intubation ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents ; administration & dosage ; Propofol ; administration & dosage ; Single-Blind Method ; Sufentanil ; administration & dosage ; Time Factors ; Vocal Cords ; drug effects ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the protective effect of lidocaine against lung injury after hemorrhagic shock in rabbits.

METHODSEighteen healthy rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=6), namely lidocaine group (group L), hemorrhagic shock group (group H) and control group (group C). Hemorrhagic shock model was established in rabbits in groups L and H, and the venous blood samples were collected for measurement of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxidedismutase (SOD) before phlebotomy (T0), 2 h after hemorrhagic shock (T1) and 2 h after resuscitation (T2). Blood samples were also taken for measurement of MDA and SOD at the same time points in group C. The wet to dry weight ratio of the lung (W/D) was measured at T2.

RESULTSMDA level was significantly lower while SOD level significantly higher in group L than in group H (P<0.05). The W/D ratio in group L was reduced significantly as compared with that in group H (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONLidocaine can remarkably alleviate lung injury after hemorrhagic shock by inhibiting MDA production and increasing SOD content.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Lidocaine ; pharmacology ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Lung Injury ; prevention & control ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Rabbits ; Shock, Hemorrhagic ; drug therapy ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ulinastatin on lung injury in hemorrhagic shock rats.

METHODSTwenty-four normal SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=8), namely the control group, hemorrhagic shock group (group H) and ulinastatin group (group U). In group H and group U, blood was drawn from the femoral artery over a period of 10 min until a mean arterial pressure of 40 mmHg was obtained. Controlled hypotension was then maintained at 40-/+5 mmHg for 60 min by blood drawing or infusion when necessary. All the blood drawn and an equivalent volume of Ringer lactate solution were subsequently infused for resuscitation. Four hours after the resuscitation, the activity of superoxidedismutase (SOD), content of malondialdehyde (MDA), expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), wet to dry weight ratio (W/D), and pathologic changes of the lung tissues were measured or observed.

RESULTSCompared with those in the control group, the content of MDA, expression of HO-1 and W/D increased significantly in both group H and group U (P<0.05); these indexes in group U were significantly lower than those in group H (P<0.05). The activity of SOD in group U was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05) but higher than that in group H (P<0.05). Optical microscopy demonstrated milder inflammatory cell infiltration and interstitial edema in the lung tissues in group U than in group H.

CONCLUSIONUlinastatin can lower the content of MDA, W/D and the expression of HO-1, increase the activity of SOD, and reduce histological lung injury in rats with hemorrhagic shock.

Animals ; Glycoproteins ; pharmacology ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; metabolism ; Lung Injury ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Shock, Hemorrhagic ; complications ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism