Objective To observe the application effect of bedside contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with gas-water alternating injection method in severe patients with nasointestinal catheterization.Methods A total of 150 severe patients who were admitted to intensive care unit(ICU)and emergency intensive care unit(EICU)and required nasointestinal catheterization were collected.Patients were separated into the blind insertion method group(catheterization without other auxiliary equipment,n=50),the ultrasound method group(ultrasound-guided catheterization,n=53),and the combined method group(bedside contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with gas-water alternating injection method,n=47)according to the wishes of patients or their families.The catheterization success rate,feeding standard-reaching rate within one week,catheterization time and incidence of adverse events were compared between three groups.Kappa test was used to compare the consistency of three methods with X-ray examination results after catheterization.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the catheterization effect.Results The catheterization success rate and the feeding standard-reaching rate within one week were increased successively in the blind insertion method group,the ultrasound method group and the combined method group,and the catheterization time shortened in turn(P＜0.05).The consistency of blind insertion method,ultrasound method,combined method with X-ray examination was strong(Kappa=0.730),very strong(Kappa=0.835)and very strong(Kappa=0.911),respectively.Results of ROC curve showed that the areas under the ROC curve of the blind insertion method group,the ultrasound method group and the combined method group increased in turn,which were 0.838(95%CI:0.661-1.000),0.918(95%CI:0.763-1.000)and 0.988(95%CI:0.959-1.000),and the combined method group had the best catheterization effect.There were no significant differences in the incidence of adverse events such as hiccup,abdominal distension,diarrhea,aspiration and gastrointestinal bleeding between the three groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Bedside contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with gas-water alternating injection method can improve the success rate of nasointestinal catheterization in severe patients,shorten the catheterization time and without increasing the incidence of adverse events.

AIM:This study aims to investigate the impact of TWIK-1 channels on abnormal pacemaker activi-ties induced by hypokalemia and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.METHODS:The gene sequences encoding hu-man TWIK-1,specific TWIK-1 shRNA and TWIK-1-T118i mutant were synthesized and subsequently subcloned into lenti-viral vectors.To knock down the TWIK-1 gene in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes(hiPSC-CMs),the cells were transduced with lentivirus carrying the specific TWIK-1 shRNA sequences.For the overexpression of TWIK-1 or the TWIK-1-T118i mutant in HL-1 mouse cardiomyocytes,the cells received lentiviral transduction containing the respective gene sequences.Patch-clamp techniques were employed to assess the effects of 1 mmol/L extracellular K+on the membrane potentials and whole-cell currents of the cardiomyocytes.RESULTS:Under conditions of 1 mmol/L extra-cellular K+,depolarization of membrane potentials was observed in the hiPSC-CMs and the HL-1 mouse cardiomyocytes ex-pressing human TWIK-1 channel,leading to the induction of abnormal pacemaker activities.This phenomenon could be reversibly abolished by the removal of extracellular Na+or inhibited through TWIK-1 knockdown.In contrast,the mem-brane potentials of HL-1 mouse cardiomyocytes expressing human TWIK-1-T118i mutant hyperpolarized,with no occur-rence of abnormal pacemaker activities.The hiPSC-CMs exhibiting abnormal pacemaker activities at 1 mmol/L extracellu-lar K+demonstrated TWIK-1-like Na+leak currents,which were blocked by quinine,a non-selective blocker of TWIK-1.CONCLUSION:The TWIK-1 channels play a critical role in the development of hypokalemia-induced abnormal pace-maker activities in human cardiomyocytes by facilitating Na+leak currents.

Objective To observe the application effect of bedside contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with gas-water alternating injection method in severe patients with nasointestinal catheterization.Methods A total of 150 severe patients who were admitted to intensive care unit(ICU)and emergency intensive care unit(EICU)and required nasointestinal catheterization were collected.Patients were separated into the blind insertion method group(catheterization without other auxiliary equipment,n=50),the ultrasound method group(ultrasound-guided catheterization,n=53),and the combined method group(bedside contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with gas-water alternating injection method,n=47)according to the wishes of patients or their families.The catheterization success rate,feeding standard-reaching rate within one week,catheterization time and incidence of adverse events were compared between three groups.Kappa test was used to compare the consistency of three methods with X-ray examination results after catheterization.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the catheterization effect.Results The catheterization success rate and the feeding standard-reaching rate within one week were increased successively in the blind insertion method group,the ultrasound method group and the combined method group,and the catheterization time shortened in turn(P＜0.05).The consistency of blind insertion method,ultrasound method,combined method with X-ray examination was strong(Kappa=0.730),very strong(Kappa=0.835)and very strong(Kappa=0.911),respectively.Results of ROC curve showed that the areas under the ROC curve of the blind insertion method group,the ultrasound method group and the combined method group increased in turn,which were 0.838(95%CI:0.661-1.000),0.918(95%CI:0.763-1.000)and 0.988(95%CI:0.959-1.000),and the combined method group had the best catheterization effect.There were no significant differences in the incidence of adverse events such as hiccup,abdominal distension,diarrhea,aspiration and gastrointestinal bleeding between the three groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Bedside contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with gas-water alternating injection method can improve the success rate of nasointestinal catheterization in severe patients,shorten the catheterization time and without increasing the incidence of adverse events.

AIM:This study aims to investigate the impact of TWIK-1 channels on abnormal pacemaker activi-ties induced by hypokalemia and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.METHODS:The gene sequences encoding hu-man TWIK-1,specific TWIK-1 shRNA and TWIK-1-T118i mutant were synthesized and subsequently subcloned into lenti-viral vectors.To knock down the TWIK-1 gene in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes(hiPSC-CMs),the cells were transduced with lentivirus carrying the specific TWIK-1 shRNA sequences.For the overexpression of TWIK-1 or the TWIK-1-T118i mutant in HL-1 mouse cardiomyocytes,the cells received lentiviral transduction containing the respective gene sequences.Patch-clamp techniques were employed to assess the effects of 1 mmol/L extracellular K+on the membrane potentials and whole-cell currents of the cardiomyocytes.RESULTS:Under conditions of 1 mmol/L extra-cellular K+,depolarization of membrane potentials was observed in the hiPSC-CMs and the HL-1 mouse cardiomyocytes ex-pressing human TWIK-1 channel,leading to the induction of abnormal pacemaker activities.This phenomenon could be reversibly abolished by the removal of extracellular Na+or inhibited through TWIK-1 knockdown.In contrast,the mem-brane potentials of HL-1 mouse cardiomyocytes expressing human TWIK-1-T118i mutant hyperpolarized,with no occur-rence of abnormal pacemaker activities.The hiPSC-CMs exhibiting abnormal pacemaker activities at 1 mmol/L extracellu-lar K+demonstrated TWIK-1-like Na+leak currents,which were blocked by quinine,a non-selective blocker of TWIK-1.CONCLUSION:The TWIK-1 channels play a critical role in the development of hypokalemia-induced abnormal pace-maker activities in human cardiomyocytes by facilitating Na+leak currents.

Objective To observe the expression and trends of tight junction proteins Occludin and zonula occlu-den-1(ZO-1)in blood-brain barrier(BBB)of rats with traumatic brain injury(TBI),and to explore the interven-tion effect of cannabidiol(CBD)on the BBB.Methods The TBI model of rat was prepared by modified"Feeney free fall method"and randomly divided into three groups:the sham-operated group(Sham group),the model group(TBI+vehicle group)and the CBD intervention group(TBI+CBD group),with 24 rats in each group.Each group was subdivided into six time points:8 h,1,2,3,5 and 7 d after injury.The expression of Occludin and ZO-1,which are closely related to the permeability of BBB,was detected by immunohistochemistry,immuno-fluorescence staining and Western blot at different points.The permeability of BBB was detected by sodium fluores-cein assay.Results The results of immunohistochemistry showed that compared with Sham group,the positive ex-pression of Occludin and ZO-1 decreased with time after brain trauma(P<0.05),and both reached the lowest level at 2 d.The expression levels of Occludin and ZO-1 were up-regulated after 1 d of CBD intervention(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence staining showed a similar trend to Western blot results,with Occludin and ZO-1 fluo-rescence expression intensity and protein expression reduced after TBI compared with Sham group(P<0.05).And the expression levels of Occludin and ZO-1 were up-regulated after 2 d of CBD intervention(P<0.05).The results of fluorescein sodium experiment showed that the BBB integrity of brain tissue was destroyed after TBI,and the permeability increased after TBI(P<0.01).The permeability of BBB decreased after CBD intervention(P<0.05).Conclusion The expression of tight junction proteins Occludin and ZO-1 decreases after TBI,and the permeability of BBB is disrupted,and CBD intervention reverses the disruption of the BBB by TBI.

Objective To investigate testicular damage in traumatic brain injury(TBI)rats and to analyze the in-terventional effects of cannabidiol(CBD)on TBI-induced testicular damage.Methods 18 Sprague Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into three groups:the sham operation group(Sham group),model group(TBI group)and treatment group(TBI+CBD group).HE staining was used to observe the testicular histopathological changes in the rat testis.ELISA was used to detect testosterone level in rat serum.TUNEL staining was utilized to observe apoptosis,while immunofluorescence staining,Western blot and RT-qPCR were employed to evaluate Bax,Bcl-2,Cleaved Caspase-3 and TNF-α protein and mRNA expression.Results HE staining showed pathological changes in the testes of TBI rats compared with those in the Sham group.ELISA assay showed a decrease in testosterone levels in the TBI group compared to the Sham group,but there was no significant difference(P＞0.05).Immunofluores-cence results showed that the intensity of Bax fluorescence expression increased in the TBI group compared with the Sham group(P＜0.01),whereas the intensity of Bax fluorescence decreased and the intensity of Bcl-2 fluorescence increased in the rats after the CBD intervention(P＜0.01).Western Blot results showed that CBD treatment in rats decreased the protein levels of testicular apoptosis-related proteins(Bax and Cleaved Caspase-3,all P＜0.05)and inflammation-related proteins(TNF-α,P＜0.01),and increased the protein level of the anti-apoptotic protein,Bcl-2(P＜0.05).The trend of RT-qPCR results was similar,with mRNA expression of Bax(P＜0.05)and TNF-α(P＜0.01)decreased and mRNA expression of Bcl-2 increased after CBD intervention compared with the TBI group(P＜0.05).Conclusion TBI induces testis injury,and CBD treatment effectively repairs apoptosis and in-flammatory in testicular tissue of TBI rats.

Objective : To observe the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the brain tissue of rats with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the differential changes between brain regions. Methods : The TBI model of rats was prepared by the modified Feeney free fall method , and it was randomly divided into the sham⁃operated qPCR were used to observe the morphological changes of activated astrocytes and the expression of GFAP in different brain regions after TBI. Results : Immunohistochemical staining showed that astrocytes were activated in all brain regions on the right side of TBI , and the only brain regions that spilled over to the contralateral side ( left) were cortical region 1 and midbrain regions. RT⁃qPCR results showed that GFAP mRNA was highly expressed in all brain regions on the right side of TBI , affecting the contralateral cortex and midbrain regions. Western blot results showed that GFAP protein was highly expressed in all brain regions on the right side of TBI , and it spread to the contralateral midbrain regions. Conclusion TBI can cause the activation of astrocytes and increase GFAP expression in the right brain regions , while also affecting the contralateral (left) cortex 1 and midbrain regions.

The concentration of osteopontin (OPN)in serum of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma(n=58),benign maxillofacial tumor(n=45)and healthy controls(n=60)was examined using ELISA kit.The OPN level(ng/ml)in the 3 groups was 1 61 .8 ±1 2.6, 52.3 ±8.6 and 48.6 ±1 2.8(P<0.05)respectively,the cases with nodal metastasis and late clinical stage have relatively higher expression levels of OPN(P<0.05).Serum OPN may be related to OSCC progression.

Objective To investigate the safety and feasibility of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) combined with carotid artery stent angioplasty (CASA) in treating tandem stenosis of carotid artery. Methods The clinical data of 9 patients with tandem stenosis of carotid artery, who were treated at authors' hospital during the period from January 2013 to October 2014, were retrospectively analyzed. The patients included 7 males and 2 females, with a mean age of (66.0 ±4.2) years. The disease course ranged from 2 months to 36 months, with a mean of 7 months. Clinically, all patients had cerebral ischemia symptoms. Transient ischemia attack was seen in 5 patients and history of cerebral infarction was present in 2 patients. Coronary artery disease was found in 2 patients, hypertension in 6 patients and lower limb ischemia in one patient. After receiving adequate antiplatelet therapy, CEA and CASA were carried out in all patients. Results The technical success rate was 100%, postoperative residual stenosis was less than 30%, no death occurred in perioperative period. After the treatment, the clinical symptoms were improved in all 9 patients;no new stroke or cerebral hemorrhage occurred. After the treatment, 2 patients developed cerebral hyperperfusion-related symptoms such as headache and dizziness, which were much relieved at the time of discharge. The patients were followed up for 4-19 months, with a mean of (10.5±6.2) months. No recurrence of symptoms was observed . In one patient , transcranial Doppler ultrasound performed at 6 months after treatment showed that the carotid artery became moderate restenosis (50%-70%). No death occurred. Conclusion For the treatment of tandem stenosis of carotid artery, CEA combined with CASA is safe and effective, although larger sample and long-term follow-up studies are still needed to further confirm the effect.

Objective To investigate the safety and medium-and long-term effects of endovascular stenting,axilloaxillary bypass (AAB),carotid-subclavian bypass (CSB) in patients of subclavian arterial occlusion.Method From 2001 to 2013,311 consecutive patients with subclavian arteriosclerosis obliterans were treated with endovascular stenting (n =191),axilloaxillary bypass (n =96) or carotidsubclavian bypass(n =32).We collected patients' medical data,calculated patency of the graft or stent with life-table method and compared patency between three approaches with Log-rank.Results The incidence of perioperative complications was 4.1％ in the stenting group vs.11.5％ in AAB group vs.18.7％ in CSB group.There was significant statistical differences between the stenting group and bypass group about the incidence of perioperative complications.The primary patency rates at 1,3 and 5 years were 90.3％,84％,81.6％ in stenting group vs.95.3％,92.6％,88.9％ for AAB group vs.100％,96.4％,96.4％ for CSB group.There was significant statistical differences between the stenting group and bypass group about the primary patency rates.Conclusions Both endovascular stenting and extrathoracic surgical bypass are safe and effective treatments for subclavian arteriosclerosis obliterans.However,effect of extrathoracic surgical bypass is more durable in the medium-and long-term.