Objective To observe the effects of melatonin on synaptic plasticity impaired by spinal cord injury in rats. Methods A total of 54 female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham group (n=18), control group (n=18) and melatonin group (n=18). Spinal cord inju-ry model was established with modified Allen's method at T10 (10 g from 25 mm height). The number of neurons and the expression of the Nissl body were detected with immunofluorescence and Nissl staining. The expression of neurofilament-200 (NF-200), brain-derived neuro-trophic factors (BDNF), Synapsin I and growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) was detected with Western blotting. Results Seven days af-ter injury, the number of motoneurons, the expression of Nissl body in motoneurons, and the expression of BDNF, Synapsin I and GAP-43 decreased in the control group compared with those in the sham group, and they increased in the melatonin group compared with those in the control group. Conclusion Melatonin can repair the impaired synaptic plasticity, which might promote the functional recovery after spi-nal cord injury.

Objective To assess the value of passive leg raising (PLR) combined with echocardiography in predicting volume responsiveness in patients with septic shock. Methods Thirty septic shock patients with spontaneous respiration admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of Tianjin First Center Hospital from July 2016 to August 2018 were enrolled. PLR and volume expansion (VE) were performed successively. The hemodynamic parameters including left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), stroke volume (SV) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) before PLR (baseline level), after PLR, immediately after VE were examined by echocardiography, and the central venous pressure (CVP) was monitored. The patients with increase in SV after VE (ΔSV) ≥ 15% were served as reaction group, while ΔSV < 15% were served as non-reaction group. The changes in LVEDV, LVESV, SV, LVEF and CVP at baseline level, after PLR and after VE were compared between the two groups. Pearson correlation method was used to analyze the correlation between ΔSV, increase in LVEF (ΔLVEF) after PLR and ΔSV, and ΔLVEF after VE. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate the predictive value of ΔSV and ΔLVEF after PLR for volume responsiveness. Results PLR and VE were successfully performed in 30 patients, of which 23 patients (76.7%) were enrolled in the reaction group, and 7 patients (23.3%) in the non-reaction group. Compared with baseline levels, LVEDV, SV, and LVEF in the reaction group were significantly increased after PLR [LVEDV (mL): 83.5±9.6 vs. 77.1±6.2, SV (mL): 48.5±5.6 vs. 43.2±4.9, LVEF: 0.58±0.04 vs. 0.56±0.06, all P < 0.05], and CVP was significantly increased after VE [cmH2O (1 cmH2O = 0.098 kPa): 7.4±3.3 vs. 4.6±0.7, P < 0.01], however, there was no significant change in LVESV. In the non-reaction group, SV and LVEF were significantly increased after PLR as compared with those at baseline levels [SV (mL): 42.7±3.7 vs. 40.6±3.1, LVEF: 0.52±0.05 vs. 0.50±0.05, both P < 0.05], while LVEDV and CVP were significantly increased after VE as compared with those at baseline levels [LVEDV (mL): 84.4±4.1 vs. 80.6±5.9, CVP (cmH2O): 10.6±3.5 vs. 7.6±0.5, both P < 0.05], however, there was no significant change in LVESV. Pearson correlation analysis showed that ΔSV and ΔLVEF after PLR were positively correlated with ΔSV and ΔLVEF after VE (r1 = 0.86, r2 = 0.65, both P < 0.01). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under ROC curve (AUC) of PLR-induced ΔSV and ΔLVEF for predicting volume responsiveness was 0.85 and 0.66 respectively. When the cut-off value of ΔSV after PLR was 10.6%, the sensitivity was 78.2%, the specificity was 82.3%; when the cut-off value of ΔLVEF after PLR was 3.6%, the sensitivity was 78.2%, and the specificity was 73.2%. Conclusion ΔSV and ΔLVEF measured by PLR combined with echocardiography can be used to evaluate the volume responsiveness in patients with septic shock and can guide fluid therapy.

Objective To explore the relationship of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), homocysteine (HCY) levels and the short-term outcome of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods 189 patients with AIS were included. Serum Hs-CRP, HCY levels and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were assessed after admission. Short- term functional outcome was measured by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 90 d after admission. Results The serum Hs-CRP and HCY levels were significantly higher in AIS patients than in normal controls (P<0.001). Adjusting age and the NIHSS score, Hs-CRP and HCY were independent prognostic markers of functional outcome and death in patients with AIS. In receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, the prognostic accuracy of combined model (HCY and Hs-CRP) was higher than that of biomarkers measured alone and the NIHSS score. Conclusion Hs-CRP and HCY are independent predictors of short-term outcome and mortality after AIS. Combined model may provide additional general prognostic information.

【Objective】 To explore the precautions of pre-transfusion examination in patients with antibodies to erythrocyte protective solution, discrepant ABO blood typing results, and positive unexpected antibodies, so as to ensure the safety of blood transfusion. 【Methods】 The screen cells were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of washing reagent red blood cells in normal saline. One group had untreated forward typing cells, antibody screening cells and identification panel, and the other group had saline-washed reverse typing cells, antibody screening cells and identification panel. The experiments were carried out by microcolumn gel method, saline medium method and polyamine method to analyze the effect of red blood cell preservation solution on serum agglutination reaction of specific patients. 【Results】 Among the 8 patients, forward typing was AB (+ ) in 1 patient, B (+ ) in 4, and A(+ ) in 3, and the reverse typing were interfered. The plasma of 8 patients agglutinated with unwashed reverse typing cells (saline tube method), screen cells and identification panels (saline tube method plus cassette method), while not agglutinated with the polybrene method. The interference was eliminated as using washed reverse typing cells (salinetube method), screen cells and identification panels (saline tube method plus cassette method). 【Conclusion】 The erythrocyte preservation solution affected patients’ blood group typing, but not affected the outcome of blood transfusion as no adverse reactions occurred.