Effect of electroacupuncture stimulation of "Sibai"(ST2) and "Quanliao"(SI18) on excitatory neurons of sensorimotor cortex in mice. / 电针"四白"和"颧髎"æ¿€æ´»å°é¼ èº¯ä½“æ„Ÿè§‰è¿åŠ¨çš®å±‚çš„å ´å¥‹æ€§ç¥žç»å ƒ.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the activation state and neuronal types of somatosensory cortex and the primary motor cortex induced by electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of "Sibai" (ST2) and "Quanliao" (SI18) acupoints in mice. METHODS: Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into blank control and EA groups, with 6 mice in each group. Rats of the EA group received EA stimulation (2 Hz, 0.6 mA) at ST2 and SI18 for 30 minutes. Samples were collected after EA intervention, and immunofluorescence staining was performed to quantify the expression of the c-Fos gene (proportion of c-Fos positive cells) in the somatosensory cortex and primary motor cortex. The co-labelled cells of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ (CaMKⅡ) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the somatosensory cortex and primary motor cortex were observed and counted by using microscope after immunofluorescence staining. Another 10 mice were used to detect the calcium activity of excitatory neurons in the somatosensory cortex and primary motor cortex by fiber photometry. RESULTS: In comparison with the blank control group, the number of c-Fos positive cells, and the proportion of c-Fos and CaMKⅡ co-labelled cells in both the somatosensory cortex and primary motor cortex were significantly increased after EA stimulation (P<0.05). No significant changes were found in the proportion of c-Fos and GABA co-labeled cells in both the somatosensory cortex and primary motor cortex after EA. Results of fiber optic calcium imaging technology showed that the spontaneous calcium activity of excitatory neurons in both somatosensory cortex and primary motor cortex were obviously increased during EA compared with that before EA (P<0.01), and strikingly reduced after cessation of EA compared with that during EA (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Under physiological conditions, EA of ST2 and SI18 can effectively activate excitatory neurons in the somatosensory cortex and primary motor cortex.

microRNA-1-3p and T-synthase mRNA have high diagnostic efficacy on intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disorder of the pancreas that can be complicated by intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction (SAP&IBD). The current study sought to examine the diagnostic efficacy of miR-1-3p and T-synthase mRNA in SAP&IBD patients. First, SAP patients were assigned to SAP&IBD and SAP groups. Serum miR-1-3p expression and T-synthase mRNA expression patterns in peripheral blood B lymphocytes were measured using RT-qPCR. Pearson tests, ROC curve analysis, and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the correlation between miR-1-3p/T-synthase mRNA and clinical data, their diagnostic efficiency, and independent risk factors for SAP&IBD patients, respectively. The results showed that serum miR-1-3p in the SAP&IBD group was elevated, and T-synthase mRNA expression in peripheral blood B lymphocytes was diminished. Additionally, serum miR-1-3p expression in SAP&IBD patients was negatively correlated with T-synthase mRNA expression, and positively correlated with their Ranson score, CRP, IL-6, DAO, and D-Lactate levels. Meanwhile, T-synthase mRNA level was negatively correlated with IL-6, DAO, and D-Lactate levels. Both, serum miR-1-3p, T-synthase mRNA, and their combination were found to exhibit diagnostic efficiency for SAP&IBD patients, and were independently associated with IBD in SAP patients. Collectively, our findings suggest that miR-1-3p and T-synthase serve as independent risk factors for SAP&IBD patients and can aid the diagnosis of IBD in SAP patients.

miR-155 facilitates calcium oxalate crystal-induced HK-2 cell injury via targeting PI3K associated autophagy.

Nephrolithiasis is one of the most common and highly recurrent diseases worldwide. Accumulating evidence revealed the elevated miR-155 levels both in serum and urine of nephrolithiasis patients. The aim of our research was to explore the role of miR-155 in CaOx-induced apoptosis in HK-2 cells. The expression levels of miR-155 in serum and renal tissues were quantified in 20 patients with nephrolithiasis using qRT-PCR assay. ELISA was performed to determine urinary levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Renal tubular cell model of CaOx nephrolithiasis was established to investigate the role and molelular mechanism of miR-155. Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed by MTT and flow cytometry, respectively. Immunofluoresent staining of LC3 autophagosome and western blotting were performed to evaluate the autophagic activity. Luciferase reporter assay was employed to verify the interaction between miR-155 and PI3KCA/Rheb. PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling was further examined by western blotting. Serum and renal levels of miR-155 and inflammatory factors were significantly elevated in nephrolithiasis patients than in controls. CaOx treatment caused up-regulation of miR-155 and induced autophagy in renal tubular epithelial cells, while silencing miR-155 or inhibition of autophagy by 3-metheladenine (3-MA) ameliorated CaOx crystal-induced cell injury. PI3KCA and Rheb was identified as downstream targets of miR-155. Moreover, miR-155 activates autophagy and promotes cell injury through repressing PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that miR-155 facilitates CaOx crystal-induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury via PI3K/Akt/mTOR-mediated autophagy, providing therapeutic targets for ameliorating cellular damage by CaOx crystals.

The combination of three molecular markers can be a valuable predictive tool for the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

Based on molecular profiling, several prognostic markers for HCC are also used in clinic, but only a few genes have been identified as useful. We collected 72 post-operative liver cancer tissue samples. Genes expression were tested by RT-PCR. Multilayer perceptron and discriminant analysis were built, and their ability to predict the prognosis of HCC patients were tested. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed and multivariate analysis with Cox's Proportional Hazard Model was used for confirming the markers'predictive efficiency for HCC patients'survival. A simple risk scoring system devised for further predicting the prognosis of liver tumor patients. Multilayer perceptron and discriminant analysis showed a very strong predictive value in evaluating liver cancer patients'prognosis. Cox multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that DUOX1, GLS2, FBP1 and age were independent risk factors for the prognosis of HCC patients after surgery. Finally, the risk scoring system revealed that patients whose total score >1 and >3 are more likely to relapse and die than patients whose total score ≤1 and ≤3. The three genes model proposed proved to be highly predictive of the HCC patients' prognosis. Implementation of risk scoring system in clinical practice can help in evaluating survival of HCC patients after operation.

Effect of Concentration on Median Effective Dose (ED50) for Motor Block of Intrathecal Plain Bupivacaine in Elderly Patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to determine the median effective dose (ED50) for motor block of various concentrations of intrathecally administered plain bupivacaine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2011 and 2013, 64 patients aged ≥70 years, undergoing transurethral, or lower limb surgery with combined spinal and epidural anesthesia in a single hospital were enrolled. The patients were randomized into 3 groups to receive intrathecal 0.75% bupivacaine (Group 1), 0.375% bupivacaine (Group 2) or 0.25% bupivacaine (Group 3). Spinal anesthesia was achieved using injections of up-and-down doses of 0.75%, 0.375%, or 0.25% plain bupivacaine. The first patient in each group received 7.5 mg bupivacaine, and the testing interval was set at 0.75 mg. The efficacy of motor block in both legs was determined using a modified Bromage and a hip motor function scale. The ED50 for motor block was estimated according to the Dixon's up-and-down method. RESULTS: The ED50 for motor block of bupivacaine was 6.10 (95% CI 5.58-6.66) mg in Group 1, 6.04 (95% CI 5.82-6.28) mg in Group 2, and 5.43 (95% CI 5.19-5.67) mg in Group 3. There were significant differences in the ED50 for motor block among the groups (P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: The ED50 doses for motor block with 3 bupivacaine concentrations were significantly different in elderly patients; the ED50 dose of 0.75% bupivacaine being significantly higher than that of 0.25% bupivacaine.

Hepatic sarcoidosis mimicking liver cancer.

We present a case of a 50-year-old woman with multiple occupations in the liver. Liver cancer was strongly suspected initially according to the results of imaging examination. However, sarcoidosis was confirmed subsequently by liver biopsy, so methylprednisolone was then prescribed and the patient showed favorable therapeutic response. This case report suggests that hepatic mass in Chinese patients without any history of hepatitis virus infection should be carefully investigated before giving a diagnosis of liver cancer. The report also reminds us that the clinical presentation of sarcoidosis is complex and involvement of a single extra-pulmonary organ should not be ignored.

Determination of the median effective dose for motor block of intrathecally administered different concentrations of bupivacaine in younger patients. The influence of solution concentration.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the median effective dose (ED50) for motor block of intrathecally administered different concentrations of bupivacaine in younger patients. METHODS: This study was conducted at the Department of Anesthesiology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, China, on 40 American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) I-II younger patients (18-40 years) undergoing lower limb surgery. These patients were classified into 2 groups according to a computer-generated random number table (Group A - 0.375% bupivacaine, and Group B - 0.75% bupivacaine). Spinal anesthesia was established by bolus administration of various up-and-down doses of 0.375%, or 0.75% plain bupivacaine. These up-and-down doses were determined by Dixon's up-and-down method. The first patient of each group was given 7.5 mg bupivacaine, and the testing interval was set at 0.75 mg. The dose was up, or down, 0.75 mg increments according to the failure or success of the preceding patient's motor block. The degree of motor block after intrathecal administration of bupivacaine was evaluated by the modified Bromage and Hip motor function score. The ED50 were estimated from the up-down sequences using the method of Dixon and Massey. RESULTS: Our results showed that ED50 for motor block of intrathecal bupivacaine was 8.890 mg in Group A, and 9.998 mg in Group B, and the relative motor blocking potency ratio was 1.12. CONCLUSION: The ED50 for motor block of intrathecally administered bupivacaine with higher concentration was slightly higher than that of a lower concentration.

Fever of unknown origin: report of 107 cases in a university hospital.

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is a challenging problem in clinical practice. Evaluation of patient's characteristics may illustrate the etiologies of FUO. In present study, 107 patients with FUO hospitalized in our inpatient department between 2010 and 2011 were investigated. The median age of the patients was 48 years (15-94). The median fever duration was 8.5 weeks (3-104). The median hospital stay was 8.5 days (1-51). Etiologies of FUO were identified as follows: infectious diseases 32 (29.9%), malignancies 19 (17.8%), inflammatory rheumatic diseases 18 (16.8%), and miscellaneous diseases 15 (14.0%). In 23 (21.5%) patients, the diagnosis remained unclear. Infection group had relative shorter average fever duration and hospital stay than other groups. Shortened mean fever duration was observed in geriatric age group. In conclusion, as the most common cause of FUO in the present study, infectious cases had relative shorter average fever duration and hospital stay, and geriatric patients had shortened average fever duration as well.

[Effect of fresh gas flow on isoflurane pharmacokinetics during anesthesia induction].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of different fresh gas flow (FGF) rates on isoflurane pharmacokinetics during anesthesia induction. METHODS: Sixty female patients (ASA class I-II, age range of 18-49 years) scheduled for gynecological laparoscopic surgery were randomly divided into groups I, II, and III (n=20) for isoflurane inhalation with FGF rate of 1, 2, and 3 L/min, respectively. Each group was further divided into two equal subgroups according to the setting concentration of the isoflurane vaporizer at 1% (groups I 1, II 1, and III 1) and 2% (groups I 2, II 2, and III 2). Isoflurane with different setting concentrations was administered under different FGFs in the patients after tracheal intubation following anesthesia induction, and the inspiratory concentration (CIiso) and expiratory concentration (CEiso) of isoflurane in the airway were monitored and recorded every 3 min for totalling 18 min, with the observation time points marked as T1 to T6, respectively. RESULTS: CIiso and CEiso varied significantly at different time points and between different subgroups (P<0.05). In each subgroup, CIiso and CEiso increased along with time and reached a relatively stable stage at 9 min, but failed to reach the setting concentration during the observation period. At different observation time points, CIiso and CEiso in the subgroups with setting isoflurane concentration of 2% were almost twice as much as that in the subgroups with setting isoflurane concentration of 1%. CONCLUSIONS: CIiso and CEiso increase along with time lapse in all the groups and reach a relatively stable stage at 9 min after inhalation initiation, but can not reach the setting concentration. The larger the FGF and setting concentration, the faster CIiso and CEiso increase.

[Effects of different fresh gas flow on pharmacodynamics of isoflurane during anesthesia induction].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of different fresh gas flows (FGFs) on the pharmacodynamics of isoflurane during anesthesia induction. METHODS: Sixty female ASA class I or II patients (aged from 18 to 49 years) scheduled for gynecologic laparoscopic surgery were randomly divided into groups I, II, and III (n=20). The FGFs for group I, II, and III was 1, 2 and 3 L/min, respectively, and each group was further divided into two equal subgroups according to the setting concentrations of isoflurane vaporizer (Co), which was 1% in groups I1, II1, and III1 and 2% in groups I2, II2, and III2. Isoflurane at different setting concentration was administered under different FGF in the patients after tracheal intubation following anesthesia induction. The systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), main arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and bispectral index (BIS) were recorded before anesthesia induction and every 3 min after tracheal intubation. Patients given ephedrine and atropine were also recorded. The patients' consciousness during anesthesia were followed up and recorded. The inspiratory concentration (CIiso) and expiratory concentration (CEiso) of isoflurane in the airway were monitored and recorded every 3 min. The observation after intubation lasted for 18 min, during which stimulation of the patients was avoided, and the operation began after the observation. RESULTS: There was a close correlation between BIS and CIiso and between BIS and CEiso (r=-0.904 and -0.893, respectively). The incidence of hypotension was significantly different between groups III and I (P<0.01), and between the subgroups in groups II and I (P<0.05). No bradycardia occurred and no consciousness reported awareness during anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: Between the completion of tracheal intubation and beginning of the surgery, 1% or 2% Co under a moderate FGF (1-3 L/min) may guarantee the patients' unconsciousness, but hypotension is less likely under a relatively low flow (1-2 L/min) than a higher flow (3 L/min). Higher FGF and Co result in faster induction of deep anesthesia and higher incidence of hypotension.