OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of 3-n-butylphthalide pretreatment on the delayed neuronal death(DND) and the expreesion of heat shock protein70 (HSP70) in rat hippocampus after ischemia/ reperfusion.

METHODSAll rats were randomly divided into sham group (n = 36), total cerebral ischemia (TCI) group (n = 36), butylphthalide (NBP) group (n = 6), NBP + TCI group( n = 36), quercetin + NBP + TCI group (n = 6), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) + NBP + TCI group (n = 6). The model of total cerebral ischemia/reperfusion was established by blocking vertebral arteries and carotid arteries. In sham group, TCI group and NBP group, the animals were further divided into instantly, 6 h, 12 h, 1 d, 3 d, 5 d groups according to the time interval after sham operation or TCI. Histological changes of the hippocampus were evaluated using thionin staining under light microscope by determining the delayed neuronal death (DND) and the expression of HSP70 was assayed using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSNBP pretreatment could reduce delayed neuronal death in CA1 of hippocampus induced by TCI-reperfusion injury in rats, and up-regulated the expression of HSP70 in CA1 hippocampus of brain ischemic/reperfusion for 5 days. Quercetin blocked the acquirement of the brain ischemic tolerance induced by NBP preconditioning.

CONCLUSION3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) prevents the neurons from ischemia/reperfusion injury through upregulating the expression of HSP70.

Animals ; Benzofurans ; pharmacology ; CA1 Region, Hippocampal ; cytology ; pathology ; Cell Death ; Cerebral Infarction ; drug therapy ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; Neurons ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy

Objective To prepare a radiofrequency (RF) ablation probe guided by endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and to evaluate its efficacy and safety. Methods A modified 19-gauge needle ( Olympus) was used, which was electrically insulated with shrink tubing, with the tip of lcm naked. The insulation was tested, and the current signal was stable. Three rabbits were anesthetized with 8% chloral hydrate ( 3 ml/kg) intraperitoneally, fixed on the dissecting table. A standard neutral pad was applied to the thigh of the rabbit to complete the electrical circuit, both the pad and the needle electrode connected with RF generator. After anesthesia was ready, the needle was advanced through the gastric wall into the liver. Ablations were performed three times in the same zone. Extent and tissue lesion were measured after ablation. Results Ablation could be successfully performed by the needle electrode, with brown lesions surrounded by normal hepatic tissue. The mean diameter of the ablated zone in the liver was 1.0 cm× 1.2 cm. After ablation,specimens along the passage were subjected to NADH staining, and no lesions were found. HE and NADH staining showed no viable cells in the central ablation area. Conclusion With the advance of the technology and selection of materials, an EUS-guided needle electrode can be made. This preliminary animal trial demonstrates that radiofrequency ablation can be performed effectively and safely by using this EUS-guided needle electrode.

Objective To evaluate the analgesic efficacy of thoracic paravertebral block (PVB) in patients after lobectomy performed via video-assisted thoracoscope (VAT) .Methods Fifty ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients of both sexes aged 20-76 yr weighing 45-90 kg undergoing elective lobectomy via VAT were randomly divided into 2 groups (n = 25 each): patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) group and thoracic PVB group. PVB was performed according to the method described by Jamieson et al and Richardson et al. Paravertebral catheter was placed at T7-8 after induction of anesthesia and tracheal intubation. A loading dose of 0.5% ropivacaine 20 ml was administered via PVB catheter at 30 min before the end of operation. PVB was then controlled by the patients with 0.2% ropivacaine (bolus dose 8.0 ml, lockout interval 30 min). In PCIA group a loading dose of sufentanil 0.1 μg/kg was given iv at 30 mln before the end of operation. Sufentanil 1.0 μg/ml was used. PCIA included a bolus of 2 ml with a 15 min lockout interval and background infusion 2 ml/h. Numeric rating scale (NRS) (0=no pain, 10 = most severe pain) was used to assess the intensity of pain. NRS score, MAP, HR and SpO2 were recorded before operation (T0 ,baseline), 30 min after withdrawal of chest tube (Ti) and at 24, 48 and 72 h after operation (T2, T3, T4). Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume first second (FEV1.0) were measured and FVC/FEV1.0 ratio was calculated after chest tube was withdrawn. Blood cortisone and glucose concentrations were determined at To, T1 and T4. Requirement for rescue analgesics and side effects were recorded. Results There was no significant difference in MAP, HR, SpO2 and NRS at rest between the 2 groups.NRS at coughing and blood cortisone and glucose concentrations were significantly lower and the postoperative FEV1.0 was significantly higher in PVB group than in PCIA group. The requirement for rescue analgesics and side effects were comparable between the 2 groups. Conclusion Thoracic PVB can provide better postoperative analgesia with little side effects.

Objective To evaluate the intraoperative opioid?sparing effect of different duration transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation ( TEAS ) in video?assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy. Methods Seventy?five patients, aged 18-64 yr, weighing 40-96 kg, of ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ, scheduled for elective video?assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy under general anesthesia, were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=25 each) using a random number table: control group (group C), 30 min of stimulation before induction of anesthesia group ( group B) , and stimulation throughout surgery ( group T) . In group B, the patients received TEAS ( frequency 2∕100 Hz ) on acupoints Xinshu ( BL15 ) , Feishu (BL13), Neiguan (PC6), Hegu (LI4) on the operated side starting from 30 min before induction of anesthesia until the beginning of induction, and the intensity was the maximum current that could be tolerated. The intensity for Neiguan ( PC6) and Hegu ( LI4) was 6-12 mA, and for Xinshu ( BL15) and Feishu ( BL13 ) was 9-18 mA. In group T, the patients received TEAS on the four acupoints mentioned above starting from 30 min before induction of anesthesia until the end of surgery. The patients had the electrodes applied, but received no stimulation in group C. After anesthesia was induced with propofol?sufentanil?cisatracurium, double lumen endotracheal tube was inserted. Propofol was given by target?controlled infusion to maintain BIS value within the range of 40-60. Cisatracurium was infused continuously to facilitate muscle relaxation. The infusion rate of remifentanil was adjusted to maintain analgesia nociception index value within the range of 50-70. The intraoperative consumption of remifentanil ( the intraoperative consumption of sufentanil was converted to the consumption of remifentanil producing the equivalent effect by 1∶ 10) was recorded. Results Compared with group C, the intraoperative consumption of remifentanil was significantly decreased in B and T groups. The intraoperative consumption of remifentanil was significantly lower in group T than in group B. Conclusion TEAS on Xinshu ( BL15 ) , Feishu (BL13), Neiguan ( PC6) and Hegu acupoints throughout surgery and for 30 min before induction of anesthesia significantly reduces intraoperative opioid consumption in the patients undergoing video?assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy, while TEAS throughout surgery provides better effect.

Objective To primarily investigate the clinical value of analgesia/nociception index (ANI) in evaluating the analgesic effect during lobectomy performed via video-assisted thoracoscope.Methods Forty ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients,aged 25-64 yr,weighing 45-80 kg,undergoing elective lobectomy performed via video-assisted thoracoscope,were enrolled in this study.After induction of anesthesia with propofol,sufentanil and cisatracurium,patients received double lumen endotracheal intubation.Anesthesia was maintained with targetcontrolled infusion of propofol,and iv infusion of remifentanil and cisatracurium.The concentration of propofol was adjusted to maintain the bispectral index (BIS) value in the range of 40-60.ANI,HR,systolic blood pressure (SBP),diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and BIS value were recorded within 5 min before and after the predefined time points including posture change between lateral and supine position,ventilatory pattern change between onelung and double-lung ventilation,skin incision and trocars insertion,lymph node dissection and pleural lavage.At skin incision and during trocars insertion,lymph node dissection and pleural lavage,the development of hemodynamic responses (increase in HR and SBP ＞ 20％ of baseline value) were recorded.Results The incidence of hemodynamic responses was 100％ at skin incision and trocars insertion,and 84 ％ during No.4,7,10 groups of lymph node dissection and after pleural lavage and difference was found in ANI during these stimuli.ANI was significantly decreased within 5 min after skin incision,trocars insertion,No.4,7,10 groups of lymph node dissection and pleural lavage than that before the procedures (P ＜ 0.05).The BIS value was maintained at 40-60,and no significant changes were found between before and after the procedures (P ＞ 0.05).No significant changes were found in ANI,HR,SBP,and DBP between before and after the changes of posture and respiratory pattern (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion ANI can be used to evaluate the analgesic effect during lobectomy performed via video-assisted thoracoscope in patients and is unaffected by the changes of posture and ventilatory pattern.

AIM:To evaluate the repeatability of axial length (AL) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) obtained by A scan ultrasonography, and to compare AL and ACD obtained by A scan with those obtained by IOL Master.METHODS:Two hundred and fifty-seven cataract eyes of 170 patients were included.IOL Master and A scan were performed for each eye.Five measurements of IOL Master and 3 measurements of A scan were obtained.All the tested eyes were divided into 5 groups according to AL obtained by A scan:Group A (2129mm, 21 eyes).Cronbach's Alpha coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were applied to evaluate the repeatability of AL and ACD obtained by A scan.Paired t test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to analyze the differences and correlations of AL and ACD obtained by the 2 devices, respectively.Bland-Altman plots were presented to analyze the agreements of AL and ACD obtained by the 2 devices.RESULTS:All the Cronbach's Alpha and ICCs of AL and ACD values were more than 0.98.The differences of AL values between A scan and IOL Master were-0.11±0.08mm in Group A,-0.15±0.10mm in Group B,-0.19±0.15 mm in Group C,-0.29±0.16mm in Group D and-0.45±0.29mm in Group E, respectively (all P<0.01).The differences of ACD values between A scan and IOL Master were-0.10±0.16mm in Group A,-0.06±0.13mm in Group B,-0.06±0.13mm in Group C,-0.19±0.10mm in Group D,-0.18±0.21mm in Group E, respectively (all P<0.01).In all groups, the AL and ACD values obtained by A scan and IOL Master presented good correlations (all r>0.89, all P<0.01).CONCLUSION:The AL and ACD values in cataract eyes obtained by A scan were repeatable.The AL and ACD values obtained by A scan were smaller than those obtained by IOL Master.With the increase of AL values, the differences of AL values between A scan and IOL Master increased.

Objective:To learn the effect of personality in the course of cognitive decline.Methods:106 aged people from two districts were selected randomly.Arithmetic,digit span,picture filling,block patterns,digit symbol,visual attention span,spatial reasoning were used to learn the cognitive ability,“Kartaier's 16 personality factors test”were used to explore the personality of aged people.Results:16 personality factors test shows that old people are more deferential and self-assured.The relation between reasoning and arithmetic,rule-consciousness and arithmetic,abstractedness and digit span,reasoning and block design,dominance and digit symbol,sensitivity and special reasoning,apprehension and visual attention span,openness to change and visual attention span reach the statistical significance.Conclusion:Age is the most important reason to the cognitive impairment in aged people, education can prevent the cognitive impairment in a large degree.Personality can affect the cognitive ability although different personality factor affect different cognitive fields.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of embryonic dermal signal on the hair-inductive capacity of neonatal mice dermal cells which have been amplified in vitro.

METHODSEmbryonic mice dermal cells of embryonic day 14 were added to a chamber on the back of nude mice with neonatal mice dermal cells which had been amplified in vitro for 3 days and freshly isolated neonatal mice epidermal cells. The hair regeneration was compared between the groups with or without embryonic mice dermal cells. Meanwhile, chambers with following cells respectively were constructed as controls: embryonic mice dermal cells + neonatal mice epidermal cells; freshly isolated neonatal mice dermal cells + neonatal mice epidermal cells; amplified neonatal mice dermal cells only; embryonic mice dermal cells only; freshly isolated neonatal mice dermal cells only; neonatal mice epidermal cells only.

RESULTSThe number of regenerated hairs with the aid of embryonic mice dermal cells (207 +/- 15. 948) was significantly higher than that (67 +/- 8.963) in the group without embryonic mice dermal cells (n = 3, t = 7.653, P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONEmbryonic dermal signal can enhance the hair-inductive capacity of neonatal mice dermal cells which have been amplified in vitro.

Animals ; Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Hair ; physiology ; Hair Follicle ; surgery ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Regeneration ; Skin ; cytology ; embryology

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of hypertonie saline enhanced radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of liver cancer. Methods The clinical data of 42 patients with primary liver cancer (n = 28) or metastatic liver eancer (n = 14) who had been admitted to First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from September 2001 to December 2007 were collected. Forty-eight lesions were detected with a diameter ranging from 1.2 cm to 7.5 cm. RFA electrode and 20G needle were pricked into the target lesion under the guidance of B ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) through percutaneoas puncture or open approaches. An amount of 5-10 ml hypertonie saline was infused through the needle at regular intervals during RFA. All patients were followed up for 3-79 months. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound and CT scanning were performed postoperatively to determine the efficacy of RFA. The levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) before and after treatment were compared using t test, and the survival of the patients were analyzed using a Kaplan-Meier survival curve. Results The AFP expression changed to negative in 14 out of the 18 AFP-positive patients, with statistical difference (t =7.703, P <0.05). The complete necrosis rate of tumors was 94% (45/48), and the necrosis rate of tumors with diameter of ≤4.0 cm reached 100% (35/35). The incidence of complication was 5% (2/42). No perioperative mortality occurred. The 1-, 2-, 3-year survival rates were 91%, 85% and 70%, respectively. Conclusions Hypertonic saline enhanced RFA in the treatment of liver cancer was proved to be safe and effective.

Objective: To observe the effects of acupuncture at Yuan-Primordial and Luo-Connecting points by host-guest combination plus Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) on the third lumbar transverse process syndrome. Methods: A total of 88 patients with the third lumbar transverse process syndrome were selected and divided into an observation group and a control group according to the random number table method, with 44 cases in each group. The control group was treated with Tuina, and the observation group was treated with additional acupuncture at Yuan-Primordial and Luo-Connecting points by host-guest combination. The clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared after treatment. The changes in the scores of physical signs, Roland-Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ), Oswestry disability index (ODI), Quebec back pain disability scale (QBPDS), and pain factors [including serum prostaglandin (PG) E2, neuropeptide Y (NPY), and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3)] were observed. Results: After treatment, the total effective rate in the observation group was 93.2％, higher than 75.0％ in the control group; the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with those before treatment, the scores of physical signs and each low back pain scale, and the levels of serum pain factors in the two groups were decreased (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture at Yuan-Primordial and Luo-Connecting points by host-guest combination plus Tuina is effective in the treatment of the third lumbar transverse process syndrome; it can improve the patient's physical signs, relieve low back pain, and reduce the levels of serum pain factors.