Objective To evaluate the effects of dexmedetomidine on the expression of spinal matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in a rat model of neuropathic pain (NP).Methods Eighty-one adult male SpragueDawley rats,weighing 190-230 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =27 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S); group NP; dexmedetomidine group (group Dex).The animals were anesthetized with intraperitoneal 10％ chloral hydrate 350 mg/kg.The right sciatic nerve was exposed and 4 loose ligatures were placed on the sciatic nerve at 1 mm intervals with 4-0 silk thread in NP and Dex groups.In group Dex,dexmedetomidine 50 μg/kg was injected intraperitoneally once a day starting from the end of operation until the animals were sacrificed.The equal volume of normal saline was given instead of dexmedetomidine in S and NP groups.Paw withdrawal threshold to von Frey filament stimulation (MWT) and paw withdrawal latency to thermal stimulation (TWL) were measured at 1 day before operation (To,baseline) and 5,9 and 16 days after operation (T1-3).Nine animals were sacrificed after measurement of pain threshold at T1-3 and their lumbar segments (L4,5) of the spinal cord were removed for detection of MMP-9 expression (by immuno-histochemistry) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) content (by ELISA).Results Compared with group S,MWT was significantly decreased,TWL was shortened,and the levels of MMP-9 and TNF-α were increased at T1-3 in NP and Dex groups.Compared with NP group,MWT was significantly increased,TWL was prolonged,and the levels of MMP-9 and TNF-α were decreased at T1-3 in Dex group.Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can inhibit up-regulation of MMP-9 expression,and decrease inflammatory responses,thus attenuating NP in rats.

Objective To evaluate the role of spinal AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway in reduction of neuropathic pain (NP) by dexmedetomidine in rats.Methods One hundred twenty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 180-220 g, were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=30 each) using a random number table: sham operation group (group S);group NP;dexmedetomidine group (group Dex) and AMPK inhibitor group (group AI).The animals were anesthetized with intraperitoneal 10％ chloral hydrate 350 mg/kg.The right sciatic nerve was exposed, and 4 loose ligatures were placed on the sciatic nerve at 1 mm intervals with 4-0 silk thread in NP and Dex groups.In group Dex, dexmedetomidine 50 μg/kg was injected intraperitoneally once a day starting from the end of operation until the animals were sacrificed.In group AI, AMPK inhibitor Compound C 20 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally at the end of operation, and the other treatments were similar to those previously described in group Dex.The equal volume of normal saline was given instead of dexmedetomidine in S and NP groups.The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold to von Frey filament stimulation (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured at 1 day before operation (baseline) and 2, 8 and 14 days after operation (T0-3).Results Compared with group S, the MWT was significantly decreased, and the TWL was shortened at T1-3 in NP, Dex and AI groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group NP, the MWT was significantly increased, and the TWL was prolonged at T1-3 in group Dex (P＜0.05) , and no significant change was found in MWT and TWL in group AI (P＞0.05).Conclusion Spinal AMPK signaling pathway is involved in reduction of NP by dexmedetomidine in rats.

OBJECTIVE:To observe the influence and safety of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on intraoperative wake-up quality of patients underwent neurosurgical surgery. METHODS:126 patients with general anesthesia in neurosurgery were enrolled and randomized equally into observation group and control group,with 63 cases in each group. Control group was given target con-trolled infusion of propofol with plasma target concentration of 3-5 μg/ml and remifentanil with target effect site concentration of 2-6 ng/ml for anesthesia induction and maintenance,and then plasma target concentration of remifentanil decreased to 0.5 ng/ml 30 min before wake-up. Observation group received target controlled infusion of propofol with plasma target concentration of 3-5 μg/ml and remifentanil with target effect site concentration of 2-6 ng/ml for anesthesia induction and maintenance,and then given DEX 0.3 μg/kg intravenously 30 min before wake-up and maintained at 0.1 μg/(kg·h). MAP,HR,SBP,SaO2,serum levels of IgA,IgM,IgG,IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-α were observed in 2 groups 2 h before operation(T1)and after extubation(T2)as well as the occurrence of ADR during wake-up. RESULTS:There was no statistical significance in HR,MAP,SBP,SaO2,IgA,IgM, IgG,IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-α levels at T1 and SaO2 levels at T2 between 2 groups(P>0.05). HR,MAP,SBP,IL-6 and TNF-α lev-els of observation group decreased significantly at T2 and lower than those of control group;IgA,IgM and IgG increased signifi-cantly and higher than those of control group,with statistical significance (P<0.05). The incidence of bucking in observation group was significantly lower than control group,with statistical significance(P<0.05);there was no statistical significance in the incidence of ADR as dysphoria,awareness rate during operation,respiratory depression,body movement,bradycardia between 2 groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS:DEX influence intraoperative wake-up quality of patients underwent neurosurgical surgery slightly,and can reduce inflammatory reaction with less ADR.

Objective To evaluate the effect of emulsified isoflurane postconditioning on mitophagy during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats.Methods Forty-eight pathogen-free healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 4-5 months,weighing 250-300 g,were divided into 4 groups (n=12 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S),group I/R,fat emulsion group (group F) and emulsified isoflurane postconditioning group (group EIP).Myocardial I/R was induced by occlusion of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery for 30 min followed by 120 min of reperfusion in pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized rats.Starting from 3 min before reperfusion,8％ emulsified isoflurane 2 ml/kg was intravenously infused over 8 min in group EIP,while 30％ fat emulsion 2 ml/kg was intravenously infused over 8 min in group F.Rats were sacrificed at the end of reperfusion,and hearts were removed for measurement of the myocardial infarct size (by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining),cell apoptosis (by TUNEL),mitochondrial membrane potential and expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3),Beclinl,P62,PINK1 and Parkin in cardiomyocytes (by using Western blot).Apoptosis index (AI) was calculated.Results Compared with group S,the myocardial infarct size and AI were significantly increased,the mitochondrial membrane potential was decreased,the expression of LC3,Beclinl,PINK1 and Parkin was up-regulated,and the expression of P62 was down-regulated in I/R,F and EIP groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group I/R,the myocardial infarct size and AI were significantly decreased,the mitochondrial membrane potential was increased,the expression of LC3,Beclinl,PINK1 and Parkin was down-regulated,and the expression of P62 was up-regulated in group EIP (P＜0.05).Compared with group F,the myocardial infarct size and AI were significantly decreased,the mitochondrial membrane potential was increased,the expression of LC3,Beclin1,PINK1 and Parkin was down-regulated,and the expression of P62 was up-regulated in group EIP (P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanisin by which emulsified isoflurane postconditioning reduces myocardial I/R injury is related to inhibition of mitophagy in rats.

OBJECTIVETo determine the role of Bmi-1 in the submandibular gland (SMG) of mice.

METHODSSMG of 4-week wild-type (WT) and Bmi-1 null (Bmi-1(-/-)) mice was analyzed on the weight, salivary flow rate, hematoxylin-eosin staining morphological differences and the changes in proliferation and aging by histology, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.

RESULTSCompared with WT mice, the average static salivary flow rate [WT:(0.21 ± 0.02) µg/min,Bmi-1(-/-): (0.10 ± 0.02) µg/min] (P = 0.001) and the submandibular gland weight [WT: (1.89 ± 0.15) µg], Bmi-1(-/-): [(1.34 ± 0.07)µg] (P = 0.003) of the male Bmi-1(-/-) mice were significantly decreased, the number of gland duct increased, and the granular convoluted duct showed reduced diameter and branches. More senescence-associated β-galactosidase positive cells existed in SMG of Bmi-1(-/-)mice (WT:0.00, Bmi-1(-/-): 0.18 ± 0.02), and Ki-67 immunopositive cells decreased in SMG of Bmi-1(-/-) mice (WT:0.40 ∼ 0.47, Bmi-1(-/-): 0.18 ∼ 0.20) (P = 0.000). The expression of p16 (WT:1.00 ± 0.12, Bmi-1(-/-): 0.00 ± 0.00) (P = 0.003) and p19 (WT:0.97 ± 0.09, Bmi-1(-/-): 5.09 ± 0.21) (P = 0.004) were up-regulated dramatically in SMG of the Bmi-1(-/-) mice.

CONCLUSIONSBmi-1 gene deficiency causes abnormal function of SMG by inducing senescence phenotype of SMG.

Animals ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Submandibular Gland ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation

Objective:To investigate the association between abnormal left atrial appendage function and thrombotic events in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and the independent risk factors affecting left atrial appendage function.Methods:Patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, who visited the Atrial Fibrillation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from June 1, 2019 to June 1, 2021, were selected. According to left atrial appendage flow velocity (LAAFV), they were divided into normal left atrial appendage function group (297 patients with LAAFV ≥ 40 cm/s) and abnormal left atrial appendage function group (85 patients with LAAFV<40 cm/s). Baseline data and transesophageal echocardiography images were collected from all the patients. The occurrence of thrombotic events was recorded. Univariate and multivariate unconditional logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the correlation between abnormal left atrial appendage function and the occurrence of thrombotic events.Results:There were significant differences in gender, type of atrial fibrillation, CHA 2DS 2-VASc score, anticoagulant therapy, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, international normalized ratio (INR), left atrial diameter, proportion of patients with right atrial enlargement, left ventricular ejection fraction, inner diameter, sum of inner diameter, depth, and sum of depth of all angles of the left atrial appendage, and incidence of thrombotic events between the two groups (all P<0.05). After adjusting for confounders, multivariate unconditional logistic regression analyses showed that abnormal left atrial appendage function was closely associated with thrombotic events (β=1.168 P=0.002), and left atrial diameter ( OR=1.084, 95% CI 1.019-1.153, P=0.011) and persistent atrial fibrillation ( OR=2.323, 95% CI 1.226-4.403, P=0.010) were independent risk factors affecting left atrial appendage function. Conclusions:Abnormal left atrial appendage function is closely associated with thrombosis. The left atrial diameter and persistent atrial fibrillation were independent risk factors affecting left atrial appendage function.

Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is the most common type of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is prone to left ventricular outflow obstruction and causes various adverse effects. It is also the main cause of sudden death in adolescents and athletes. Timely intervention is crucial for the prognosis of patients. Radiofrequency ablation has been widely used in the treatment of various arrhythmias, but it is still a new treatment method in HOCM. This article mainly reviews the clinical application progress of radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of HOCM patients.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has continued to spread globally since late 2019, representing a formidable challenge to the world's healthcare systems, wreaking havoc, and spreading rapidly through human contact. With fever, fatigue, and a persistent dry cough being the hallmark symptoms, this disease threatened to destabilize the delicate balance of our global community. Rapid and accurate diagnosis of COVID-19 is a prerequisite for understanding the number of confirmed cases in the world or a region, and an important factor in epidemic assessment and the development of control measures. It also plays a crucial role in ensuring that patients receive the appropriate medical treatment, leading to optimal patient care. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technology is currently the most mature method for detecting viral nucleic acids, but it has many drawbacks. Meanwhile, a variety of COVID-19 detection methods, including molecular biological diagnostic, immunodiagnostic, imaging, and artificial intelligence methods have been developed and applied in clinical practice to meet diverse scenarios and needs. These methods can help clinicians diagnose and treat COVID-19 patients. This review describes the variety of such methods used in China, providing an important reference in the field of the clinical diagnosis of COVID-19.
Humans ; Artificial Intelligence ; China ; COVID-19/diagnosis* ; COVID-19 Testing