ROS Induced by KillerRed Targeting Mitochondria (mtKR) Enhances Apoptosis Caused by Radiation via Cyt c/Caspase-3 Pathway.

During radiotherapy, reactive oxygen species- (ROS-) induced apoptosis is one of the main mechanism of radiation. Based on KillerRed which can induce ROS burst in different cell substructures, here we hypothesized that KillerRed targeting mitochondria (mtKR) could induce ROS to enhance apoptosis by radiation. In this study, empty vector, mtKR, and mtmCherry plasmids were successfully constructed, and mitochondrial localization were detected in COS-7 and HeLa cells. After HeLa cells were transfected and irradiated by visible light and X-rays, ROS levels, mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ m), ATPase activities, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, apoptosis, and the expressions of mRNA and protein were measured, respectively. Data demonstrated that the ROS levels significantly increased after light exposure, and adding extra radiation, voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) protein increased in the mitochondria, while Na+-K+ and Ca2+-Mg2+ ATPase activities, ATP content, and Δψ m significantly reduced. Additionally, the cell apoptotic rates dramatically increased, which referred to the increase of cytochrome c (Cyt c), caspase-9, and caspase-3 mRNA expressions, and Cyt c protein was released from the mitochondria into the cytoplasm; caspase-9 and -3 were activated. These results indicated that mtKR can increase the production of ROS, enhance mitochondrial dysfunction, and strengthen apoptosis by radiation via Cyt c/caspase-3 pathway.

[Comparison of Cookgas and Fastrach intubating laryngeal mask airway with fiberoptic bronchoscope in anticipated difficult airway management].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effectiveness of fiberoptic bronchoscope (FOB)-guided intubation through the Cookgas intubating laryngeal airway(CILA)and the Fastrach intubating laryngeal mask airway (FT-LMA) in the management of anticipated difficult airways. METHODS: Sixty patients with all three difficult intubation criterion (thyromental distance<60 mm, interincisor distance<35 mm, and Mallampati class 3 or 4) undergoing elective plastic surgery under general anesthesia were randomly allocated into CILA group (n=30) and FT-LMA group (n=30). After anesthesia being induced and CILA or FT-LMA being inserted, the patients were treated with FOB-guided intubation through CILA or FT-LMA. The success of the intubating laryngeal airway(ILA)insertion and FOB-guided intubation, the number of attempts, and the duration of the successful attempt were recorded. RESULTS: The ILA was inserted successfully in 30 patients from CILA group and 27 patients from FT-LMA group. Three failed cases in FT-LMA group were inserted successfully with CILA. In CILA group, the first FOB-guided intubation attempt succeeded in 26 patients, and 4 cases were intubated at the second attempt. In 27 patients of FT-LMA group, 20 cases were intubated successfully at the first attempt, 4 cases at the second attempt, and 3 cases failed; of these three failed patients, two patients were intubated smoothly with FOB through CILA at the first attempt, one was intubated by FOB via CILA at the second attempt. The duration of FT-LMA insertion [(35.3±12.8)s] was significantly longer when compared with CILA [(23.9±17.5)s] (P<0.05). However, the duration of FOB-guided intubation through CILA and FT-LMA [(48.6±13.5)s vs.(53.2±14.2)s] and the time of ILA removal [(40.4±10.2)s vs. (38.5±11.3)s] were not significantly different between these two groups (P>0.05). The adverse events during and after intubtion were not significantly different between these two groups. CONCLUSIONS: FOB-guided intubation through CILA and FT-LMA is safe and feasible for the management of anticipated difficult airways. However, in patients with severe scar contracture of face and neck and those with huge expander in neck, the CILA insertion and FOB-guided intubation via CILA is superior to FT-LMA.

[Roles of Cookgas and Fastrach intubating laryngeal mask airway for anticipated difficult tracheal intubation].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effectiveness of blind intubation through the Cookgas intubating laryngeal airway(CILA) or Fastrach intubating laryngeal mask airway(FT-LMA) for anticipated difficult tracheal intubation. METHODS: Eighty-six patients with anticipated difficult tracheal intubation who were undergoing elective plastic surgery under general anesthesia were randomly allocated into CILA group(n=43) and FT-LMA group(n=43) . After general anesthesia being induced and CILA or FT-LMA being inserted, the patients were treated with blind intubation through CILA or FT-LMA. In each case, the number and the time of intubating laryngeal airway(ILA) insertion and blind intubation attempts and ILA removal were recorded. The view of glottis under fiberoptic bronchoscope(FOB) via CILA or FT-LMA was recorded. In addition, noninvasive blood pressure and heart rate were recorded before and after intravenous anesthetic induction, at ILA insertion, at intubation, at ILA removal and every minute thereafter for 5 minutes. RESULTS: CILA or FT-LMA was inserted successfully in all 86 patients. The rate of the first successful insertion was not significantly different between two groups(P>0.05) . In CILA group, the first intubation attempt succeeded in 35 patients;5 and 2 cases were intubated blindly at the second and the third attempt, one patient failed who was intubated successfully by FOB via CILA. In FT-LMA group, 32 patients were intubated successfully at the first attempt, 4 at the second attempt, 3 at the third attempt, and 4 cases failed, three of them were intubated smoothly with FOB through FT-LMA, one failed patient was intubated by FOB. The time of FT-LMA insertion(34.2∓13.9) s was significantly longer when compared with CILA(22.4∓18.9) s (P<0.05) . However, the time of blind intubation through CILA and FT-LMA [(46.0∓26.7) s vs.(51.8∓41.1) s]and the time of ILA removal[(39.3∓11.9) s vs.(35.3∓10.4) s] were not significantly different between groups(P>0.05) . Hemodynamic changes during blind intubation in the two groups showed no significant differences(P>0.05) . CONCLUSIONS: Blind intubation via CILA or FT-LMA is safe and effective for anticipated difficult tracheal intubation. Nevertheless, CILA is easier to be inserted, with relatively higher success rate of blind intubation.

Shikani optical stylet-guided intubation via the intubating laryngeal airway in patients with scar contracture of the face and neck.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of the Shikani Optical Stylet (SOS)-guided intubation through a new Intubating Laryngeal Airway (ILA) in anticipated difficult airways caused by scar contracture of the face and neck. METHODS: Thirty-three adult patients with anticipated difficult airways undergoing selective faciocervical scar plastic surgery under general anesthesia were enrolled in this study. After anesthesia induction, a size 2.5, 3.5 or 4.5 ILA was inserted. Following good lung ventilation being verified, the SOS preloaded with an endotracheal tube was inserted via the ILA. Once the clear vocal cords came into view under the SOS, the endotracheal tube was advanced through glottis into the trachea. RESULTS: The ILA provided an effective airway in all patients. Intubation was successful at the first attempt on 22/33(66.7%) occasions and at the second attempt on 6/33 (18.2%). Intubation failed in 5 (15.1%) patients who suffered from severe limitation of head extension due to scar contracture of the neck. These patients' tracheas were finally intubated using a fibreoptic bronchoscope via the ILA. CONCLUSIONS: The SOS-guided intubating method via the ILA is a feasible technique in patients with scar contracture of the face and neck. However, in patients with severe limitation of head extension, the use of SOS cannot be recommended. The SOS can be used as an alternative apparatus when the fibreoptic bronchoscope is not available.

[Application of conscious sedation with midazolam, propofol and sufentanil for patients in plastic surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effectiveness of conscious sedation with midazolam, propofol and sufentanil for patients in plastic surgery. METHODS: 81 patients, scheduled for plastic surgery, were randomly selected to receive conscious sedation with midazolam 0.05 mg x kg(-1) and sufentanil 0.1 microg x kg(-1) intravenously, following by a continuous infusion of midazolam-propofol-sufentanil combination (midazolam 5 mg + propofol 200 mg + sufentanil 10 microg, a total of 23 ml). The initial infusion rate was 0.2 ml x kg(-1) x h(-1), and was adjusted (in 20% of initial infusion rate increment) to maintain OAA/S score as 11 during the operation. The patients' vital signs, discomfort and level of sedation were evaluated at 5 to 10 min intervals until the end of the surgery. The complications (i. e. anoxemia, apnea, restlessness, nausea and vomiting), anesthesia duration and drug consumption were recorded. The drug infusion was discontinued at 5 - 10 min before the end of the surgical procedure. On the first postoperative day, patients were asked to rate their satisfaction with the anesthetic management and whether they would choose to receive the same anesthetic technique if necessary in the future. RESULTS: The OAA/S score decreased from 20.0 +/- 0 to 11.9 +/- 2.6 after midazolam and sufentanil IV (P < 0.05), and was maintained as 10.5-11.1 during the procedure. At the end of the procedure, the OAA/S score returned to 16.0 +/- 2.2, which was also lower significantly compared with baseline value (P < 0.05). The induction of sedation produced a significant decrease in SBP and DBP (P < 0.05) and no significant changes in heart rate (P > 0.05). At the end of the procedure, SBP, DBP and HR returned to the baseline value. The anoxemia happened in 11 cases, apnea in 5 cases and restlessness in 2. No nausea and vomiting occurred. The anesthesia duration and consumption of midazolam, propofol and sufentanil were (101.1 +/- 42.5) min, (8.4 +/- 3.7) mg, (189.1 +/- 88.7) mg and (18.2 +/- 5.6) microg respectively. In an interview on the first postoperative day, 96% (78/ 81) of the patients were satisfied with their anesthesia and were willing to receive the same anesthetic technique if necessary in the future. CONCLUSION: Conscious sedation with midazolam, propofol and sufentanil is an effective anesthetic technique for patients in plastic surgery.

[Induction of tracheal intubation without muscle relaxant by target controlled infusion of propofol combined with remifentanil in children].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the safety and feasibility of tracheal intubation by target-controlled infusion of propofol and remifentanil without muscle relaxant in children. METHODS: Totally 100 4-10-year-old pediatric patients (ASA1) who had been scheduled for plastic surgery were equally divided into remifentanil group and control group through computer-generated randomized grouping. In all patients, five minutes after intravenous administration of atropine 0.01 mg/kg and midazolam 0.1 mg/kg, propofol was infused at the targeted effect-site concentration (Ce of 6 µg/ml. When the intended target Ce of propofol was reached, the remifentanil group began to be infused with remifentanil at a Ce of 5 ng/ml, and normal saline (0.1 ml/kg) was injected simultaneously. In the control group remifentanil was replaced by normal saline and rocuronium (0.8 mg/kg) was injected together with the normal saline. After the equilibration of plasma and the Ce of remifentanil were reached, tracheal intubation was attempted. The complications during the induction and tracheal intubation were recorded. The intubating conditions were assessed using a five-point scoring system based on ease of laryngoscopy, vocal cords position, coughing, jaw relaxation and limb movement. RESULTS: The success rate of tracheal intubation was in 90% in remifentanil group and 98% in the control group (P=0.122).CONCLUSION Target-controlled infusion of propofol and remifentanil at Ce of 6 µg/ml and 5 ng/ml is feasible for the induction and tracheal intubation without muscle relaxant in children.

[Hemodynamic responses to orotracheal intubation with upsherscope or Macintosh direct laryngoscope].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the hemodynamic responses to orotracheal intubation via Upsher-scope (USSP) or Macintosh direct laryngoscope (MDLS) under general anesthesia. METHODS: Fifty patients with ASA grade I-II and undergoing the elective plastic surgery and requiring orotracheal intubation were randomly allocated to either the USSP (U group) (n=25) or MDLS (M group) (n=25). After standard intravenous anesthetic induction, orotracheal intubation was performed using a USSP or a MDLS. Noninvasive systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) were recorded before and after anesthetic induction, at intubation and every minute thereafter for 5 minutes. The time spent in tracheal intubation was recorded. The mean blood pressure (MBP) and rate-pressure product (RPP) were calculated. RESULTS: The intubation time was not significantly different between these two groups (P > 0.05). After anesthetic induction, SBP, DBP, MAP, and RPP in these two groups decreased significantly as compared with preinduction values. The orotracheal intubation caused significant increases in SBP, DBP, MAP, and RPP in these two groups in comparision with postinduction values (P < 0.05), but these hemodynamic changes lasted only 1 to 2 minutes and then decreased gradually to the postinduction level. The blood pressure changes caused by orotracheal intubation did not exceed the preinduction values (P > 0.05). As compared to, the maximal HR values in these two groups during observation (from the beginning of intravenous anesthetic induction to 5 min after intubation) were significantly higher than their preinduction values (P < 0.05). The maximal RPP values in M group during observation were significantly higher than their preinduction values (P < 0.05), but no such significant difference was observed in U group (P > 0.05). The hemodynamic data at each time point during the observation had no significant differences between these two groups. (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Orotracheal intubation using the USSP and MDLS may result in similar hemodynamic responses. The standard general anaesthesia can effectively inhibit the pressor, but not the tachycardiac responses caused by orotracheal intubation via USSP or MDLS. USSP is not superior than MDLS in palliating the adverse cardiovascular stress responses to orotracheal intubation.

[Efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined thalidomide on hepatocellular carcinoma: a controlled randomized trial].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is an important therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the recurrence rate is still high and the long-term survival is unsatisfactory. This study was to evaluate the efficacy of TACE combined thalidomide on HCC. METHODS: From Aug. 2004 to Aug. 2006, 108 patients with unresectable primary HCC were randomized into combination (TACE plus thalidomide) group and TACE group. Combination group received oral administration of thalidomide (200 mg/d) for 1-6 months. Both groups were treated with 0.4-1.6 g gemcitabine, 100-200 mg oxaliplatin, and 0.5-1.0 g floxuridine as chemotherapeutic drugs, ethanol, glutin, and iodolipol as ambolic agent in TACE. The side effects of thalidomide and survival of the patients were observed. RESULTS: The median survival period was 18 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 12-24 months] in combination group and 13 months (95% CI, 10-16 months) in TACE group. The 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year survival rates were 92.9%, 82.7%, and 58.4% respectively in combination group, and 85.6%, 57.2%, and 32.3% respectively in TACE group. The median time to progression was significantly longer in combination group than in TACE group [181 days (95% CI, 91-271 days) vs. 97 days (95% CI, 33-161 days), P<0.05]. Excluding the patients who took thalidomide for less than 1 month, the median survival period was significantly longer in combination group than in TACE group [18 months (95% CI, 12-24 months) vs. 13 months (95% CI, 10-16 months), P<0.05]û the 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year survival rates were 96.6%, 70.8%, and 44.3% respectively in combination group, and 84.7%, 54.4%, and 14.9% respectively in TACE group. The occurrence rate of serious rashes was 11.1% and that of serious somnolency was 6.7%. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that the times of TACE was an independent prognostic factor of HCC. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with TACE alone, the combination of TACE and thalidomide can obviously postpone disease progression and prolong survival of HCC patients. The times of TACE is a prognostic factor of HCC after TACE.

Caudal anesthesia reduces the minimum alveolar concentration of enflurane for laryngeal mask airway removal in boys.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of caudal analgesia on the minimal alveolar concentration of enflurane for laryngeal mask airway (LMA) smooth extubation (MACex). METHODS: We studied 50 nonpremedicated children, aged three to ten years, ASA physical status I, undergoing surgery for hypospadias repair. After a sevoflurane inhalation induction, children were randomized to receive LMA insertion with or without ropivacaine caudal analgesia. At the end of surgery, a predetermined end-tidal enflurane concentration was achieved, and the LMA was removed by an anesthesiologist blinded to group allocation. Each concentration at which LMA extubation was attempted was predetermined by the up-and-down method (with 0.1% as the step size). When LMA removal was accomplished without coughing, clenching teeth or gross purposeful muscular movements during or within one minute after removal, it was considered successful. RESULTS: MACex of enflurane for LMA removal in the group without caudal anesthesia was 1.04% (95% confidence interval, 1.00-1.10) and the LMA MACex of enflurane in the group with caudal anesthesia was 0.74% (95% confidence interval, 0.63-0.81). Caudal analgesia significantly reduced enflurane requirements by 29% (95% confidence interval, 22-36%). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, caudal analgesia significantly reduced the LMA MACex of enflurane by approximately 29%. Possible mechanisms may be related to the analgesic effect of caudal blockade or to the sedative properties of neuraxial anesthesia.