Objective To investigate the effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) combined with dexmedetomidine on lung injury during perioperative period and postoperative pulmonary complications in elderly patients with thoracotomy and pulmonary dysfunction.Methods Sixty ASA Ⅱ or Ⅲ patients aged 65-76 years [mean (70.4±6.3) years],weighing 50-75 kg,with moderate and severe pulmonary dysfunction,who were scheduled for elective radical operation for esophageal cancer,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=20,each) by using a random number table:the control group (group C),RIPC group (group OR) and RIPC plus dexmedetomidine group (group ORD).At 10 min after endotracheal intubation,group ORD was induced by three cycles of 5 min of lower extremity ischemia followed by 5 min of reperfusion,at the same time a loading dose of dexmedetomidine 0.5 μig / kg was infused iv over 15 min,and then was infused at a rate of 0.5 μg · kg-1 · h-1 until the end of operation.Group OR was induced by three cycles of 5 min of lower extremity ischemia followed by 5min of reperfusion without dexmedetomidine.Group C received only the equal volume of normal saline.Blood samples were obtained from radial artery immediately before anesthesia induction (T0),before one lung ventilation (T1),at 1 h after one lung ventilation (T2),the end of surgery (T3) and 24 h after operation (T4).Blood gas analysis was done at T1,T2,and T3.Plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and concentration of malonyldialdehyde (MDA),matrix metallo-proteinase-9 (MMP-9),interleukin-6(IL-6) and white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil granulocyte (PMN) counts were measured at T0,T2,T3 and T4.The complications including pulmonary infection and atelectasis were recorded at 1,3 and 7 days after operation.Results At T2-3,PaO2 was higher in groups of OR and ORD than in group C Group ORD had higher PaO2 than did group OR [(265±15) mmHg,(305±23) mmHg vs.(231±17) mmHg,(273±21)mmHg,(312±24) mmHg vs.(242±18) mmHg,F=34.791 and 31.813,P＜0.01].At T2-3,RI was lower in groups of OR and ORD than in group C,and group ORD had lower RI than did group OR [(1.48±0.16),(1.14 ±0.14) vs.(1.86±0.18);(1.35±0.13),(0.96±0.09) vs.(1.73±0.15),F=119.260 and 164.855,P＜0.01].At T3-4,SOD activity was higher in group OR and ORD than in group C,and group ORD had higher SOD activity than did group OR [(83.6 ± 7.8) U/mg prot,(97.6± 9.5) U/mgprot vs.(70.5±7.4) U/mgprot;(73.5 ± 6.3) U/mgprot,(87.7 ± 8.9) U/mgprot vs.(61.6 ± 5.4) U/ mgprot,F=94.540 and 90.839,P＜0.01].At T3-4.plasma concentration of MDA,MMP-9,WBC and PMN counts were lower in group OR and ORD than in group C,and the above indices were lower in group ORD than in group OR [(7.5 ± 1.4) nmol/mgprot,(5.8 ± 1.0) nmol/mgprot vs.(9.5 ±1.5) nmol/mgprot;(8.2± 1.5) nmol/mgprot,(6.5 ± 1.0) nmol/mgprot vs.(10.1 ±1.6) nmol/mgprot;(205±23) μg/L,(173±21) μg/L vs.(237±26) μg/L,(179±16) μg/L,(158±12) μg/L vs.(203± 20) μg/L;(8.0±0.5) ×109/L,(7.2±0.6) × 109/L vs.(9.2±0.8)×109/L;(9.4±0.7) ×109/L,(8.2±0.6)×109/Lvs.(11.2±0.8) ×109/L;(7.4±0.7) ×109/L,(6.5±0.5) ×109/Lvs.(8.3 ±0.8) ×109/L,(7.8±0.8) ×109/L,(6.7±0.6) ×109/L vs.(9.2±0.9) ×109/L,F=98.872,52.723;198.307,47.622,20.319,36.935,18.197,35.036,respectively,all P＜0.01].At T2-4,IL-6 level was lower in groups of OR and ORD than in group C,and group ORD had lower IL-6 level than did group OR [(105±14) ng/L,(86±12) ng/L vs.(127±18) ng/L;(125±19) ng/L,(101±16) ng/ L vs.(156±22) ng/L;(110±16) ng/L,(89±12) ng/L vs.(132±20) ng/L,F=85.449,139.848,124.129,respectively,P＜0.01].The incidences of postoperative pulmonary infection and atelectasis were lower in group OR and ORD than group C,and group ORD had lower incidences of postoperative pulmonary infection and atelectasis than did group OR (x2 =6.303 and 14.545,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions RIPC combined with dexmedetomidine can improve pulmonary function in elderly patients with thoracotomy and pulmonary dysfunction,may relieve the inflammatory reaction and oxidation reaction during perioperative period and finally help to improve the prognosis of patients.

Objective To investigate the effect of aloe polysaccharides (AP) pre-emptive treatment on the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB),ntercellulor adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and cell apoptosis in hippocampal brain tissue in rats with severely hemorrhagic shock for the first time of entering high altitude.Methods Forty healthy male SD rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly (random number) divided into 5 groups (n =8 each):sham group,shock group and AP group which was further divided into 3 subgroups as per different dosages of AP administered (AP1:0.75 mg/kg; AP2:1.50 mg/kg; AP3:3.00 mg/kg).Rats in sham group were treated with surgical procedure without exsanguination.Rats in shock group were exsanguinated until hemorrhagic shock emerged without resuscitation.Rats in AP subgroups were intravenously infused with given doses of AP in different AP subgroups at 30 min before hemorrhagic shock.MAP was dropped to (35 ±5) mmHg (1 mmHg =0.133 kPa) in 15 min by bleeding from femoral artery,the mean arterial pressure (MAP) was maintained at (35 ±5) mmHg for 60 min with bleeding or re-transfusing.At 3 h after resuscitation,rats were sacrificed immediately by bleeding,and the hippocampus of brain was harvested on the ice.The expressions of NF-κB and ICAM-1 in the hippocampus of rats were determined by immuno-histochemical method,and number of cell apoptosis in the hippocampus of rats was determined by TUNEL.The means were compared with analysis of variance and Student-NewmanKeuls test,and statistical significance was established at a P value of less than 0.05.Results Compared with sham group,the expressions of NF-κB (5.03 ±0.42),ICAM-1 (4.14 ±0.29) and number of cell apoptosis (44.3 ± 7.2) in hippocampal tissue were significantly increased in shock group (P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences in these three variables between shock group and AP1 group.Compared with shock group,the expressions of NF-κB (3.12 ±0.34),ICAM-1 (2.93 ±0.21) and number of cell apoptosis (24.8 ± 3.6) in hippocampal tissue were significantly decreased in AP2 group (P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences in these three variables between AP2 and AP3 groups.Conclusion AP pre-emptive treatment can significantly attenuate the expressions of NF-κB,ICAM-1 and number of cell apoptosis in hippocampal tissue in hemorrhagic shock rats.

Objective To investiga~ the effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) combined with dexmedetomidine on the lung injury during one-lung ventilation (OLV) in the patients undergoing thoracic surgery.Methods Thirty ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients,aged 45-70 yr,weighing 51-69 kg,scheduled for elective radical operation for esophageal cancer,were randomly divided into 2 groups (n =15 each) using a random number table:control group (group C) and RIPC combined with dexmedetomidine group (group ORD).In ORD group,at 10 min after endotracheal intubation,RIPC was induced by 3 cycles of 5 min lower extremity ischemia followed by 5 min reperfusion,and at the same time a loading dose of dexmedetomidine 1.0 μg/kg was infused intravenously over 15 min and then dexmedetomidine was infused at a rate of 0.5 μg· kg-1 · h-1 until the end of operation.At 0,30 min,1 h and 2 h of OLV (T1-4),blood samples were obtained from the radial artery for blood gas analysis and determination of plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-10.Oxygenation index and respiratory index were calculated.Exhaled breath condensate was collected at T1,T3 and T4,and the pH value was measured.Results Compared with group C,oxygenation index was significantly increased,and respiratory index was decreased at T2-4,the plasma concentrations of TNF-α and IL-1β were decreased,and the pH value of exhaled breath condensate was increased at T3-4,and the plasma concentration of IL-10 was increased at T4 in group ORD.Conclusion RIPC combined with dexmedetomidine can inhibit inflammatory responses and reduce airway acidification,thus attenuating the lung injury during OLV in the patients undergoing thoracic surgery.

Objective To investigate the effects of selective lobar ventilation on intrapulmonary shunt and inflammatory response in patients with pulmonary dysfunction during thoracotomy.Methods Thirty-four ASA Ⅱ or Ⅲ patients,aged 64-79 years,weighing 50-85 kg,with moderate or severe impaired pulmonary function,scheduled for esophageal cancer radical correction,were randomly divided into two groups (n =17 each):one-lung ventilation group (group A) and selective lobar ventilation group (group B).In group A,an endobronchial blocker tube was used to obstruct the bronchus principalis and practice one-lung ventilation.In group B,an endobronchial blocker tube was used to obstruct the bronchi Iobares and practice selective lobar ventilation.Blood samples were taken from the arteria radialis and the internal jugular vein for blood gas analysis and determination of plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α),interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) before anesthesia induction (T0),30 minutes following two-lung ventilation at the lateral position (T1),60 minutes following one-lung ventilation or selective lobar ventilation (T2) and at the end of surgery (T3).Peak airway pressure (Ppeak) and plateau airway pressure (Pplat) were recorded at the same time.Results The incidence of hypoxemia was significantly lower in group B (0) than in group A (18％,P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group A,Pliat and Ppeak at T1-3,the intrapulmonary shunt rate (Qs/Qt) at T2,TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations at T2-3 were significantly decreased in group B (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Selective lobar ventilation can reduce intrapulmonary shunt and inhibit inflammatory responses to help lessen mechanical ventilation-related lung injuryduring thoracotomy in patients with pulmonary dysfunction.

Objective To investigate the effects of downstream regulatory element antagonist modulator (DREAM) on the expression of glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1) in spinal cord in rats with bone cancer pain and morphine tolerance.Methods Sixty female healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats weighing 200 ～230 g were randomly divided into tow groups,group Ⅰ cancer pain (CP,n =48) and group Ⅱ Sham (S,n =12).Cancer pain in each group was produced by inoculation of syngenetic Walker 256 rat mammary gland carcinoma cells (5 × 105) to left tibia.Pain threshold to mechanical stimulus was measured before (baseline) and after the surgical procedure.From 14 d to 18 d after the inoculation of carcinoma cells,36 rats from group CP received subcutaneous injection of morphine at 3 times per day with doses increasingly from 10 mg/kg initially to 20 mg/kg,30 mg/kg,40 mg/kg,and 60 mg/kg.Equal volume of normal saline was applied to the 12 rats left in group CP.On 19th day after the carcinoma cells inoculation once subcutaneous injection of morphine at 3mg/kg was performed in all rats in group CP.From the next day,the rats in group CP ever receiving injections of morphine for 5 days were randomized into thre subgroups,including subgroups morphine tolerance (MT,n =12),vehicle (V,n =12),and RNAi (R,n =12).They were injected intrathecally with 20 μl of normal saline (NS),10 μl vehicle plus 10 μ1 NS,and 10 μ1 of DREAM-shRNA plus l0 μ1 NS,respectively,once a day for 5 days.Focusing on the affected limb,mechanical pain threshold was measured one day before surgery (T0),and at day7 (T1),day 14 (T2),day 18 (T3),day 19 (T4),day21 d (T5),day 25 (T6),and day 28 (T7) after surgery.The animals were sacrificed at day 28 after the procedure.The lumbar 4 segments in rats were removed for detection of DREAM and GLT-1.Results The mechanical threshold was significantly decreased at T1 compared to the baseline in all groups,returned to the baseline at T2 ～ T7 in group S,at T4 in group CP,and at T2 in group MT,V,and R,but remained low at T5 ～T7 in group CP,and at T3 ～T7 in group MT,V,and R.Compared to that at T1,it was decreased at T2 ～T3 and T5 ～ T7 in group CP,at T4 ～ T7 in group MT and V,and at T4 ～ T5 in group R,going back to the baseline at T4 in group CP and at T2 in group MT,V and R,and increased at T6 ～ T7 in group R.Compared to that in group S,the mechanical threshold in group CP,MT,V and R was decreased,and lower at T2 in group CP and at T4 in group MT,V and R.Compared to that in group CP,the mechanical threshold was significantly higher at T2 ～ T3 but lower at T4 in group MT,V,and R,decreased at T5 in group R and at T5 ～ T7 in group MT and V.The mechanical threshold was increased at T6 ～ T7 in group R and higher than that in groups MT and V.The expression of DREAM,compared to that in group S,was down-regulated in other groups.Compared to group CP,increment was shown in groups MT and V,and decrease was exhibited in group R.It was cut down in group R compared to that in groups MT and V.Compared to group S,GLT-1 was decreased in other groups.It was down-regulated in groups MT,V and R compared to group CP.Conclusions DREAM is involved in the development of allodynia after morphine tolerance in rats with bone cancer pain.No evidence in this study supports a link between DREAM and GLT-l in spinal cord.

Objective To compare the efficacy of different doses of ropivacaine for ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus block in children.Methods One hundred and twenty ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ children,aged 5-12 yr,scheduled for elective surgery for hand injury,were equally and randomly divided into 4 groups according to the doses of ropivacaine:0.35,0.3,0.25 and 0.20 ml/kg groups.The children received oral midazolam 30 min before surgery.Propofol was given by target-control infusion after admission to the operating room.When the pediatric patients lost consciousness and had no response to verbal command,axillary brachial plexus block was performed under the guidance of ultrasound.0.25 ％ ropivacaine 0.35,0.3,0.25 and 0.20 ml/kg were injected to block the radial,median,ulnar,musculocutaneous and medial antebrachial cutaneous nerves.Additional ketamine was given when needed during operation.The duration of block and consumption of general anesthesia and complications were recorded.The degree of sensory block of the region innervated by each nerve and effectiveness of block were assessed.Results The rate of effective block of the radial nerve,median nerve and musculocutaneous nerve was significantly lower,the number of patients requiring ketamine was larger and the duration of block was shorter in group 0.2 ml/kg than in 0.35,0.30 and 0.25 ml/kg groups (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in the parameters mentioned above between 0.35,0.30 and 0.25 ml/kg groups (P ＞ 0.05).No pediatric patients developed block-related complications in each group.Conclusion Ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus block with 0.25 ％ ropivacaine 0.25 ml/kg can provide better block in children.

Objective To determine the median effective target plasma concentration (Cp50) of remifentainil inhibiting body movement evoked by puncture during brachial plexus block in pediatric patients.Methods Pediatric patients of both sexes,aged 5-12 yr,who grown normally,scheduled for elective forearm or hand surgery,were enrolled in this study.Children were premedicated with oral midazolam 0.2 mg/kg at 30 min before anesthesia.The initial target Cp of remifentainil was 5.0 ng/ml.The target Cp was determined by up-and-down sequential method.Each time Cp increased/decreased by 20％ in the next patient depending on the response of the previous patient to puncture.The ratio between the two successive concentrations was 1.2.The puncture was performed after the target effect-site and plasma concentrations were balanced.Body movement was defined as puncture-induced movement of truncus,limbs and/or head and neck.The Cp50 and 95 ％ confidence interval of remifentainil were calculated by Dixon method.Results Cp50 of remifentainil inhibiting body movement evoked by puncture during brachial plexus block was 3.9 ng/ml,and 95 ％ confidence interval was 3.6-4.2 ng/ml.Conclusion Cp50 of remifentainil inhibiting body movement evoked by puncture during brachial plexus block is 3.9 ng/ml in pediatric patients.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of using corrected body weight to set the tide volume (VT) for mechanical ventilation during general anesthesia in obese patients.Methods Sixty ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ obese patients,with a body mass index of 28-44 kg/m2,scheduled for elective extremity surgery under general anesthesia,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =20 each):VT based on actual body weight group (group A),VT based on ideal body weight group (group Ⅰ),and VT based on corrected body weight group (group C).The pulmonary function of all patients was normal.The patients were endotracheally intubated and mechanically ventilated after induction of anesthesia.According to the corresponding body weight,the initial VT was set based on 8 ml/kg in each group (RR 15 bpm,I ∶ E =1 ∶ 2,FiO2 =100％).At 10 min after start of mechanical ventilation,peak airway pressure (Ppeak),airway plateau pressure (Pplat),airwayresistance (Raw) were recorded.Arterial blood samples were collected at 30 min of mechanical ventilation for blood gas analysis and PaO2,PaCO2 and the patients requiring readjustment of VT (PaCO2 ＞ 45 mm Hg or ＜ 35 mm Hg) were also recorded.Results Compared with group A,PaCO2 was significantly increased and Ppeak,Pplat and Raw were decreased in I and C groups (P ＜ 0.01).PaCO2 was significantly lower and Ppeak,Pplat and Raw were higher in group C than in group Ⅰ(P ＜ 0.01 or 0.05).There were no patients requiring readjustment of VT in group C,however,95％ patients required readjustment of V+ in group A and 80％ in group B.The percentage of patients requiring readjustment of VT was significantly higher in A and B groups than in group C (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Corrected body weight based on 8 ml/kg can be used to set the Vr for mechanical ventilation during general anesthesia in obese patients with normal pulmonary function.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of ventilation with selective lobar collapse for thoracic surgery in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods Thirty ASA Ⅱ or Ⅲ patients with COPD,aged 65-80 yr,with a body mass index of 16-28 kg/m2,undergoing radical resection of esophagus cancer,were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=15 each):one-lung ventilation (OLV) group and ventilation with selective lobar collapse group (group SLC).In group OLV,OLV was performed,while in group SLC,the balloon of the blocker was placed at 0.5 cm below the opening of the upper lobe bronchus and the lower lobe was collapsed when chest was open.The patients were mechanically ventilated (VT =7-8 ml/kg,RR =14-16 bpm,I∶E=1∶1.5-2.0,FiO2 =100％).Peak pressure (Ppeak),plateau pressure (Pplat),airway resistance (Raw),and dynamic lung compliance (Cd) were measured at 10 min of two-lung ventilation in supine position (T0),at 5,45 and 90 min of OLV or selective lobar collapse (T1-3) and at 10 min of two-lung ventilation in lateral position after the end of operation (T4).Arterial blood samples were obtained at To,T3 and T4 for blood gas analysis.Oxygenation index (OI),alveolar-arterial oxygen gradiant (P(A-a)O2),and respiratory index (RI) were calculated.Results Ppeak,Pplat and Raw were significantly lower at T2-4,while Cd was significantly greater at T1-4,OI was significantly higher at T3,4,and P(A-a)O2 and RI were significantly lower at T3,4 in group SLC than in group OLV.Conclusion The thoracic operation can be completed safely using ventilation with selective lobar collapse and OLV,however,ventilation with selective lobar collapse can improve oxygenation and provides better ventilatory efficacy than OLV in elderly patients with COPD.

Objective To study T lymphocyte subsets levels in acute zoster patients and investigate its relation to the zoster associated pain.MethodsAccording to the visual analogue scales(VAS) in the acuter phase, 60 patients with herpes zoster were divided into two groups: group A (VAS≤6) and group B (VAS＞6). According to the follow-up results, patients were divided into another two groups: group C (PHN not developed) and group D (PHN developed). 25 healthy volunteers with a similar age and gender range as the patients were recruited as control group. T lymphocyte subsets were detected by fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS). ResultsThere was no significant difference in gender and age between groups (P＞0.05). T lymphocyte subsets were significantly decreased in four groups compared with the control group (P＜0.05), and the CD4 +subsets in group B were significantly decreased compared with group A (P＜0.05). The CD4 +/CD8 + ratios were significantly higher in group A and C than in control group, higher in group A than B and higher in group C than in group D (P＜0.05). The visual analogue scales(VAS) in group D were significantly higher than in group C (P＜ 0.05).Conclusions Cellular immunity function is decreased with the lower percent of the T lymphocytes subsets in the elderly patients with acute herpes zoster, especially in severe patients. The CD4 +/CD8 + ratios and the visual analogue scales may be associated with the the risk of post herpetic neuralgia.