Objective To evaluate the effect of sevoflurane on the expression of calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) in the myocardium of rats with high-level spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods Thirty healthy male Wistar rats, weighing 250-300 g, were randomly divided into 3 groups using a random number table: sham operation group (group S, n = 6) , SCI group (n =12) and sevoflurane group (group Sev).SCI was induced in anesthetized rats by dropping a l0-g weight onto C7 spinal cord from 5.0 cm height falling freely inside a vertical hollow glass tube.Group SCI inhaled 2 L/min pure oxygen for 30 min, and group Sev inhaled 2％ sevoflurane for 30 min starting from 30 min after SCI.At 12 and 24 h after SCI (T1,2) , 6 rats were selected randomly, and blood samples from the abdominal aorta were drawn for determination of serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations.The rats were then sacrificed, and myocardial specimens were obtained for determination of CaSR protein and mRNA expression (using fluorescent quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction or Western blot) and for examination of myocardial ultrastructure (with transmission electron microscope).Results Compared with group S, the serum cTnI concentrations and CaSR protein and mRNA expression were significantly increased at T1,2 in SCI and Sev groups.Compared with group SCI, the serum cTnI concentrations and CaSR protein and mRNA expression were significantly decreased at T1,2 in Sev group.The damage to myocardial cells was significantly reduced in group SCI compared with group Sev.Conclusion Sevoflurane reduces myocardial damage through inhibiting CaSR expression in the myocardium of rats with high-level SCI.

Objective To evaluate the effects of acute peritonitis on rocuronium?induced neuromus?cular blockade in abdominal muscles and function of the sarcoplasmic reticulum of rats. Methods Thirty?six pathogen?free male Sprague?Dawley rats, weighing 220-250 g, were divided into 2 groups using a ran?dom number table: control group (group C, n=12) and acute peritonitis group (group P, n=24). After the rats were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium, acute peritonitis was induced by artificial gastric per?foration in group P. At 1 and 2 h after operation, the changes in the intra?abdominal pressure (IAP) with different volumes were detected, and blood samples were collected from the orbital veins for determination of serum levels of interleukin?6, tumor necrosis factor?alpha and interleukin?13. Rocuronium 3. 5 mg∕kg was then injected via the caudal vein. The IAP was recorded at 1, 5 and 10 min after administration. The intra?cellular free Ca2+ concentration was assessed using fura?2, and the maximal Ca2+ uptake and release rate in the sarcoplasmic reticulum were calculated. Results Compared with group C, the serum levels of interleu?kin?6 and tumor necrosis factor?alpha at 2 h after operation and IAP at 1 and 2 h after operation were signifi?cantly increased, the IAP was increased at 1, 5 and 10 min after administration of rocuronium, and the maximal Ca2+ uptake rate and amount of calcium uptake in the sarcoplasmic reticulum were decreased in group P ( P<0.01) . Conclusion Acute peritonitis decreases rocuronium?induced neuromuscular blockade in abdominal muscles, which may be related to the impaired Ca2+uptake function of the sarcoplasmic reticu?lum of rats.

Objective To investigate the incidence of postoperative intubation-related complications and the need for measurement and adjustment of cuff-pressure of endotracheal tube. Methods Five hundred and nine patients of either sex undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia with tracheal intubation were divided into 2 groups: control group (group C)and cuff-pressure measured group (group CPM). Operation time and duration of endotracheal tube were recorded. Twenty patients with the duration of endotracheal tube 120-180 min in each group were selected. Their tracheal mucous membrane was examined by fiberoptic bronchoscopy at the time of withdrawal of endotracheal tube. Postoperative complications including cough and bloody sputum were also recorded at 24 h after extubation. Results The two groups were comparable with respect to age, sex, operation time and the duration of endotracheal tube. The incidence of sore throat and bloody sputum was significantly higher in group C than in CPM group. The incidence of sore throat and bloody sputum was significantly increased as the duration of endotracheal tube was prolonged in control group while in CPM group only the incidence of sore throat was increased. Varying degrees of injuries to tracheal mucous membrane were observed with fiberoptic bronchoscope.The injuries were more serious in group C than in CPM group. Conclusion Measurement of intracuff pressure is helpful for reducing the tracheal intubation-related complications.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of post-stroke depression (PSD) in patients with first acute stroke 6 months after onset.Methods:Three hundred and sixty-seven patients with acute stroke who were treated for the first time in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University were selected retrospectively. After onset for 6 months, the patients were followed up and divided into PSD group and non-PSD group. The clinical data, blood index, imaging data, degree of nerve damage and the patient's stigma level were compared between the two groups.Results:Totally 182 and 185 cases were included in the PSD and non-PSD groups, respectively. The incidence of PSD at 6 months post-stroke was 49.6% (182/367). The results of univariate analysis showed that diseased region, drinking history, monthly income, standard of culture, serum cortisol, total cholesterol (TC), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), Stigma Scale for Chronic Illness-8 Chronic Disease Stigma Scale-8(SSCI-8) scores, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores and subtype of stroke were risk factors for PSD ( P<0.05). Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that diseased region at frontal lobe ( OR = 3.245, P = 0.011), basal ganglia region ( OR = 2.820, P = 0.007), cerebellar hemisphere ( OR = 4.594, P = 0.010) and serum cortisol ( OR = 1.174, P<0.001), hs-CRP ( OR = 1.057, P<0.001), SSCI-8 scores ( OR = 1.674, P<0.001), NIHSS scores ( OR = 1.283, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for PSD. Conclusions:PSD is a common complication in patients with stroke. Diseased region (at frontal lobe, basal ganglia region, cerebellar hemispheres), hs-CRP, serum cortisol, level of morbidity stigma and degree of neurological impairment are development risk factors for the PSD at 6 months of acute stroke.