Objective To investigate the immunoregulatory effects of propofol on airway hyperresponsiveness,airway inflammation and Thl/Th2 ratio in the asthmatic mice.Methods One hundred female BALB/c mice,aged 6-8 weeks,weighing 18-20 g,were randomly divided into 5 groups (n =20,each):control group (normal saline i.p.,group C),asthma group (group A),low-dose propofol (50 mg/kg i.p.,group LP),medium-dose propofol (100 mg/kg i.p.,group MP) and high-dose propofol (150 mg/kg i.p.,group HP).Mice of groups A,LP,MP and HP were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA),mice of group C were sensitized with normal saline.24 h after the last challenge,animals were sacrificed by lethal dose of pentobarbital sodium.Blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected for determination of serum OVA-specific IgE and the levels of cytokines (IL-4,IL-5 and IFN-γ) in the BALF.Airway responsiveness was measured by the forced-oscillation technique and histological inflammation scores were measured by staining with hematoxylin and eosin.Results Propofol (group LP and group MP) attenuated airway hyperresposiveness to the muscarinic agonist methacholine in OVA-induced asthma.Different doses of propofol (group LP,group MP and group HP) decreased eosinoplils influx in lungs.In addition,propofol treatment reduced expression of IL-4,IL-5 and serum OVA-specific IgE and increased the ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4.Conclusion The study demonstrates a potential protective value of propofol in alleviating airway inflammation,up-regulating Th1/Th2 ratio and attenuating airway hyperresposiveness in the asthmatic mice.

Background Anaphylactic reactions during anesthesia and operation are common and life threatening.Follow-up investigation is necessary for avoiding potential re-exposure of the patients to the offending drugs.The purpose of this study was to assess cellular allergen stimulation test (CAST) as a diagnostic instrument in immunoglobulin E (IgE)-and non-lgE-mediated anaphylactic reactions.Methods This study included 25 patients who developed perioperative anaphylactic reactions and 10 subjects that tolerated anesthetics and other drugs during perioperative period from September 2009 to October 2013 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital.We performed skin tests and flow cytometric analysis of basophil activation-based CAST in all subjects.Results Of the 25 patients,17 had IgE-mediated anaphylactic reactions (causative agent identified by skin tests) and 8 had non-lgE-mediated anaphylactic reactions (negative skin tests).CAST showed a sensitivity of 42.9％,specificity of 90％,and negative predictive value of 80.6％ for neuromuscular blocking agents.Conclusions CAST may be useful for the diagnosis of anaphylactic reactions during perioperative period.Our findings call for further investigation to increase the sensitivity of the test.

Objective To investigate the influencing factors of low birth weight infants (LBWI) in China in order to provide evidence for lowering the incidence of LBWI and improving the perinatal outcomes.Methods Clinical data were obtained from 14 different provinces, municipalities or autonomous regions in Northeastern, Northwestern, Northern, Central, Eastern, Southern and Southwestern of China, covering 39 hospitals of different levels.A total of 112 441 newborns were collected from January 1 to December 31 in 2011.After exclusion of those cases with incomplete information, miscarriage before 28 weeks of gestation, induction due to fetal malformation or intrauterine fetal death, 103 678 cases were restrospectively analyzed.Questionnaires were filled out and all data were recorded in computer network databases.Clinical data included maternal age, education background, height, weight, parity, histories of abnormal pregancy and comorbidities and complication.Independent sample t-test, Chi-square test, unvariate and ultivariate unconditional Logistics regression analysis were performed.Results The incidence of LBWI in mainland China was 7.21％ (7 474/103 678), 61.43％ (5 260/8 562) for preterm babies, and 2.33％ (2 214/95 116) for full-term babies.Univariate analysis showed that LBWI were associated with maternal age, education background, height, pregestational body mass index (BMI), weight gain during pregnancy, cord length, smoking, parity, histories of abnormal pregancy, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preterm birth, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, anemia, premature rupture of membranes and abnormal amniotic fluid volume.The following unconditional binary logistic regression analysis for those factors with P ＜ 0.3 in unvariate analysis showed that preterm birth (OR=46.246, 95％CI: 41.484-51.555), hypertensive disorders during pregnancy (OR=5.031, 95％CI: 4.325-5.853), histories of intrauterine fetal death ≥ 1 times (OR=2.446, 95％CI: 1.479-4.044), oligohydramnios (OR=2.068, 95％CI:1.659-2.578), pregestational BMI ＜ 18.5 (OR=1.637, 95％CI: 1.415-1.893), spontaneous abortion ≥ 1 times (OR=1.362, 95％CI: 1.043-1.777), age ≤ 20 (OR=1.332, 95％CI: 1.046 1.695), anemia (OR=1.230, 95％CI: 1.017-1.488) and premature rupture of membranes (OR=1.154, 95％CI:1.016-1.311) were risk factors for LBWI.The higher the maternal education level, weight gain, BMI and height, the lower the LBWI incidence.The risk factors of LBWI in premature small for gestational age (SGA) infants were hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and histories of intrauterine fetal death ≥ 1 times.The higher the maternal height and weight gain during pregnancy, the lower the incidence of LBWI in premature SGA infants.Conclusions The main influencing factors for LBWI are preterm birth and hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.In addition, LBWI is also associated with socioeconomic and genetic factors.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the nerve growth factor ( NGF ) induced hippocampal neuroregeneration and homeobox gene Lhx 8.Methods Seventy-two SD rats were divided into control group , transected group, NGF group, transected combined with NGF group after right fimbria-fornix transection and NGF intracerebroventricular injection . Real-time PCR and Western blotting were applied to detect the gene and protein expression of Lhx8 in each group.The choline acetyltransferase ( ChAT)/Lhx8 double labeled cells in subgranular zone ( SGZ) of hippocampus in each group were detected by immunofluorescence .Results The expression of Lhx8 gene and protein in the transected , NGF group and especially in the transected combined with NGF group was obviously higher than in the control group .The number of ChAT/Lhx8 double labeled cells in the NGF group and the transected combined with NGF group was obviously more than in the control group and transected group . Conclusion The hippocampal neuroregeneration which induced by NGF intracerebroventricular injection was associated with the higher expression of Lhx8.

Objective To explore effect of endogeneous gangliosides(Gls) and integrin ?2?1 on protein phosphotyrosine expression of pp125 focal adhesion kinase (pp125FAK) after adhesion of SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells to collagen(Col).Methods SK-N-SH cell line with high expression of integrin ?2?1 was cultured in presence of D-threo-1-phenyl-2-decanolamino-3-morphinoline-1-propanol(D-PDMP).Effect of endogeneous Gls,anti-?2 and anti-?1 monoclonal antibody on protein phosphotyrosine expression of pp125FAK during adhesion of SK-N-SH cells to Col were determined by immunoprecipitate and Western blotting.Results After 6 days,endogenous Gls in cells were almost depleted.Gls-depletion,anti?2 and anti-?1 monoclonal antibody were able to decrease pp125FAK expression of SK-N-SH cells adherent to Col respectively.GD2,the major component of neuroblastoma cell Gls could reco-ver pp125FAK expression to a certain degree.Conclusions Endogenous tumor Gls regulate protein phosphotyrosine expression of pp125FAK during adhesion of neuroblastoma cells to Col.It is suggested that tumor Gls may increase signal transduction of tumor cell integrin ?2?1 by increasing tyrosine phosphorylation of pp125FAK.

Objectives To investigate the delivery mode and perinatal outcomes of low birth weight infants in mainland China, and to explore the appropriate delivery mode and timing of delivery. Methods Clinical data of 103 678 babies delivered from Jan 1st to Dec 31th, 2011 in 39 hospitals in mainland China were analyzed retrospectively. The 39 hospitals located in 7 administrative regions, including Northeast, Northwest, North, Central, East, South and Southwest China. Result (1) The average birth weight of the newborns was (3 263 ± 540) g. Among them, 7 474 cases were diagnosed low birth weight infants, with the incidence of 7.209%(7 474/103 678). There were 2.328%(2 214/95 116 ) full-term low birth weight infants and 61.434% (5 260/8 562 ) preterm low birth weight infants. (2) From week 28 to week 36, the cesarean section rate of low birth weight infants increased with the increasing of gestational weeks. The cesarean section rate of full-term low birth weight infants were 61.14%(1 139/1 863) , which was higher than that of normal birth weight infants (52.947%, 45 108/85 195). The differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). (3) The constitution of the indication of cesarean section showed that social factor and maternal factor were 10.73%(443/4 128) and 48.91%(2 019/4 128) for low birth weight infants, respectively. While for the normal birth weight infants, they were 27.70%(12 495/45 108) and 38.60%(17 412/45 108), respectively. There was statistically significant difference(P<0.01). (4) The emergency cesarean section rate of full-term low birth weight infants was 41.09%(468/1 139), which was higher than that of normal birth weight infants (31.09%, 14 024/45 108). The difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). (5) The rates of stillbirth, neonatal asphyxia and the mortality of full-term low birth weight infants were 2.36%(44/1 863), 6.12%(114/1 863), and 3.17%(59/1 863), respectively. Those of normal birth weight infants were 0.11%(94/85 195), 1.41%(1 201/85 195), and 0.14%(119/85 195), respectively. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). (6) The stillbirth rate and mortality of low birth weight infants born by cesarean delivery were significantly lower than those born by vaginal delivery. The rate of neonatal asphyxia (17.95%) and other morbidity (3.61%) among low birth weight infants born by cesarean section in week 28 to week 33+6 were significantly lower than those born by vaginal delivery (30.09%, 6.62%, respectively). (7) With the increase of gestational age, the incidence of neonatal asphyxia and stillbirth decreased. The incidence of neonatal asphyxia(39.22%) and stillbirth(23.28%) was most seen in 28 to 29 gestational weeks, which decreased to 9.08% and 2.88% in 34 gestation weeks. Conclusions Low birth weight is one of the leading causes of adverse perinatal outcomes and cesarean section. To decrease the incidence of low birth weight, individualized management should be performed according to the gestational age and fetal condition. Extending the gestational age to at least 34 weeks may avoid iatrogenic preterm labor and improve the neonatal survival rate.

Background: The CD38/cyclic ADP?ribose (cADPR) pathway plays a role in various central nervous system diseases and in morphine tolerance, but its role in local anesthetic intoxication is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the role of the CD38/cADPR pathway in ropivacaine?induced convulsion. Methods: Forty male Sprague?Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 8 per group): sham group, ropivacaine group, ropivacaine+8?Br?cADPR (5 nmol) group, ropivacaine+8?Br?cADPR (10 nmol) group, and ropivacaine+8?Br?cADPR (20 nmol) group (no rats died). Rats were intracerebroventricularly injected with normal saline or 8?Br?cADPR 30 min before receiving an intraperitoneal injection of ropivacaine. Electroencephalography and convulsion behavior scores were recorded. The hippocampus was harvested from each group and subjected to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and cADPR assays, Western blotting analysis, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) assays. Results: Intraperitoneal injection of ropivacaine (33.8 mg/kg) induced convulsions in rats. CD38 and cADPR levels increased significantly following ropivacaine?induced convulsion (P = 0.031 and 0.020, respectively, compared with the sham group). Intraventricular injection of 8?Br?cADPR (5, 10, and 20 nmol) significantly prolonged convulsion latency (P = 0.037, 0.034, and 0.000, respectively), reduced convulsion duration (P = 0.005, 0.005, and 0.005, respectively), and reduced convulsion behavior scores (P = 0.015, 0.015, and 0.000, respectively). Intraventricular injection of 8?Br?cADPR (10 nmol) also increased the B?cell lymphoma?2 (Bcl?2)/Bcl?2?associated X protein ratio (P = 0.044) and reduced cleaved Caspase 3/Caspase 3 ratio, inducible nitric oxide synthase, MDAand SOD levels (P = 0.014, 0.044, 0.001, and 0.010, respectively) compared with the ropivacaine group. Conclusions: The CD38/cADPR pathway is activated in ropivacaine?induced convulsion. Inhibiting this pathway alleviates ropivacaine?induced convulsion and protects the brain from apoptosis and oxidative stress.

Objective To determine the genes in which exist overlapping ORF in Merlin strains of human cytomegalovirus, and to reveal their structure and functional characteristics. Methods We search for overlapping genes of ORF in HCMV Merlin strains' whole genome by Bioinformatics methods, analyzing coding sequence CDS and starting and ending sites of ORF, calculating the length of CDS and ORF, analyzing the molecular weight of encoding protein, overlapping length and coding direction of protein, identifying overlapping sequences and overlapping types, analyzing the expression phase of overlapping genes and the function of proteins. Results There were 39 overlapping ORF genes in HCMV Merlin strains, accounting for 23% of total genes. Among these 39 genes, there are 13 IE genes, 9 E genes and 17 L genes, which can be divided into 16 contigs. There are 11 contigs when two genes overlap, with 3 contigs in three genes overlapping, and 2 contigs in four genes overlapping. The functions of overlapping genes are widely. Conclusion We found that there are a lot of complex overlapping genes in HCMV Merlin strains, which are basis for further study of the transcription and translation mechanism of overlapping genes.

BACKGROUNDPercutaneous microballoon compression (PMC) for trigeminal neuralgia is an important therapeutic method. The aim of this study was to review the effects of PMC for trigeminal neuralgia in 276 patients.

METHODSFrom December 2000 to May 2003, 276 patients with trigeminal neuralgia were treated with PMC. The course of the disease ranged from 3 months to 38 years. Under the guidance of C-arm X-ray, 14# needle was placed into the foramen ovale using the classical Hakanson's technique. Fogarty balloon catheter was navigated into the Meckel's cave tenderly. A small amount of Omnipaque was slowly injected to inflate the balloon and compress the trigeminal ganglion for 3 to 10 minutes.

RESULTSA total of 290 PMC were performed on the 276 patients. Among them, 252 had immediate relief from pain. The patients were followed up for a mean of 18.7 months (range, 4 to 32), 14 of them had a recurrence. Of the 14 patients, 12 were re-operated with PMC, and the pain was all controlled successfully.

CONCLUSIONSPMC is an effective and technically simple method for trigeminal neuralgia. For older patients with trigeminal neuralgia, it may be the first choice.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Pressure ; Catheterization ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Trigeminal Neuralgia ; physiopathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the roles of platelet (PLT) and its regulating factors, megakaryocyte, thrombopoietin (TPO) and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), in immune vasculitis in young rabbits.

METHODSAn experimental model of Kawasaki disease (KD) of weanling rabbits was reproduced by bovine serum. PLT count, total number and differentiating count of megakaryocyte, and serum TPO and TGF-beta1 levels were measured 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 and 28 days after KD induction. Pathological analysis of coronary artery, liver, spleen, kidney and brain was performed 17 and 28 days after KD induction.

RESULTSIn the KD group, PLT count, the total number of megakaryocyte, and the middle board megakaryocyte percentage increased 12, 16, 20, 24 and 28 days; serum TPO level increased 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 and 28 days; serum TGF-beta1 level increased 16, 20, 24 and 28 days after KD induction compared with those in the normal control group (p<0.05). The pathological examinations of coronary artery, liver, spleen, kidney and brain showed severe inflammatory injuries of tiny arteries and small/medium-sized arteries 17 and 28 days after KD induction, respectively in the KD group. The aortas were showed as mild inflammatory injuries.

CONCLUSIONSPLT, megakaryocyte, TPO and TGF-beta1 participate in the pathogenesis of KD, and they may play an important role in the injuries of immune vasculitis. This suggests that they may serve as markers for the assessment of severity in KD.

Animals ; Blood Platelets ; physiology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Megakaryocytes ; physiology ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; etiology ; Rabbits ; Thrombopoietin ; physiology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; physiology ; Vasculitis ; etiology ; immunology ; pathology