Effect of Salicylic Acid Treatment on Disease Resistance to Coleosporium zanthoxyli in Chinese Pepper (Zanthoxylum armatum).

The fungus Coleosporium zanthoxyli causes leaf rust in Chinese pepper (Zanthoxylum armatum). To investigate the control effect of elicitor treatment on leaf rust in this species, the impact of salicylic acid (SA) on the spores and growth of C. zanthoxyli and the induced resistance to leaf rust by Z. armatum were analyzed, and the possible defense mechanisms involved in SA induction were evaluated. The results showed that SA had no effect on C. zanthoxyli spore germination and growth; however, rust resistance was induced in Z. armatum. The optimal SA treatment concentration was 0.4 mg/ml, and the relative cure effect reached 44.56%. SA-induced disease resistance was evident for up to 10 days, while the optimal induction interval was 48 h after stimulation. Consistent with the induced resistance, H2O2, total protein, total phenol, and lignin concentrations and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities were significantly increased with the SA treatment, whereas the malondialdehyde content was significantly decreased. In addition, exogenous SA promoted defense-related enzyme activities, including those of POD, CAT, and PAL, and increased H2O2, lignin, and endogenous SA contents. Furthermore, SA induced the expression of SA signaling pathway genes such as ZaPR1 and ZaNPR1, and silencing ZaPR1 enhanced the sensitivity of Z. armatum to leaf rust. Our results demonstrated that 0.4 mg/ml SA priming increased the activities of CAT, POD, and PAL, elevated the contents of H2O2, lignin, and endogenous SA, and upregulated the expression of the SA-related gene ZaPR1, thereby enhancing the resistance of Z. armatum to leaf rust.

Wulingsan (Oryeongsan/Goreisan) ameliorate lipid metabolism of obesity rats via regulation of the plasma metabolic profiling.

OBJECTIVES: Wulingsan has been used to cure disease about disorders related to fluid balance for thousands of years. The clinical practice of modern Chinese medicine has found that Wulingsan has the effect on reducing weight and fat, but its mechanism is not clear. This study investigated its effects on obesity rats and explored the underlying mechanisms by analyzing the plasma metabolic profiling. METHODS: The effects of Wulingsan on obesity were evaluated with obesity rats induced by high-fat diet. Ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was performed to discover potential biomarkers and evaluate whether Wulingsan could regulate these biomarkers. The levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) in serum were assessed by ELISA kits. RESULTS: Remarkably, TG, TC, HDL-C and LDL-C in obesity rats were ameliorated after oral administration of Wulingsan. Further investigation indicated that the plasma metabolic profiles were clearly improved. Twelve potential biomarkers were identified. After intervention, these biomarkers turned back to normal level at some extent. CONCLUSION: The results showed that Wulingsan extract groups were normalized. Additionally, this study also showed that the metabonomics method was a promising tool to unravel how traditional Chinese medicines worked and these data can provide scientific basis for clinical application of Wulingsan.

Acute Hypervolemic Infusion Can Improve Splanchnic Perfusion in Elderly Patients During Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery.

BACKGROUND There is no adequate evidence on how the long duration of laparoscopic surgery affects splanchnic perfusion in elderly patients or the efficacy of acute hypervolemic fluid infusion (AHFI) during the induction of anesthesia. Our aim was to observe the effects of AHFI during the induction of general anesthesia on splanchnic perfusion. MATERIAL AND METHODS Seventy elderly patients receiving laparoscopic colorectal surgery were randomly divided into three groups: lactated Ringer's solution group (group R), succinylated gelatin group (group G), and hypertonic sodium chloride hydroxyethyl starch 40 injection group (group H). Thirty minutes after the induction of general anesthesia, patients received an infusion of target dose of these three solutions. Corresponding hemodynamic parameters, arterial blood gas analysis, and gastric mucosal carbon dioxide tension were monitored in sequences. RESULTS In all three groups, gastric-arterial partial CO2 pressure gaps (Pg-aCO2) were decreased at several beginning stages and then gradually increased, Pg-aCO2 also varied between groups due to certain time points. The pH values of gastric mucosa (pHi) decreased gradually after the induction of pneumoperitoneum in the three groups. CONCLUSIONS The AHFI of succinylated gelatin (12 ml/kg) during the induction of anesthesia can improve splanchnic perfusion in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer and maintain good splanchnic perfusion even after a long period of pneumoperitoneum (60 minutes). AHFI can improve splanchnic perfusion in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Efficacy and safety of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists for patients with heart failure and diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to systematically assess the efficacy and safety of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) for patients with heart failure (HF) and diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search for controlled studies that evaluated the efficacy and safety of MRAs in patients with DM and HF. Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched. Two reviewers independently identified citations, extracted data and evaluated quality. Risk estimations were abstracted and pooled where appropriate. RESULTS: Four observational studies were included. MRAs use was associated with reduced mortality compared with controls (RR = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.69-0.88; I(2) = 0%; P < 0.001). Increased risk of developing hyperkalaemia was observed in those patients taking MRAs (RR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.27-2.38; I(2) = 0%; P = 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: The current cumulative evidence suggests that MRAs can improve clinical outcomes but increase the risk of hyperkalaemia in patients with DM and HF. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42015025690 .

[Extraction technology and antioxidant activity of total flavonoids and total triterpenoids from Tetrastigma planicaule].

OBJECTIVE: To study the optimum extraction technology of total flavonoids and total triterpenoids from Tetrastigma planicaule and their antioxidant activity. METHODS: Optimized the extraction of total flavonoids and total triterpenoids using an L9 (3(4)) orthogonal array design, and the antioxidant activity was extimated by FRAP assay, salicylicl acid assay and ABTS assay. RESULTS: The best extraction conditions for total flavonoids from Tetrastigma planicaule were as follows: 70 degrees C of 70% ethanol ultrasound-assisted extracting for 1 h and extracting three times, and total triterpenoids was:70 degrees C of 60% ethanol microwave extracting for 5 min and extracting two times. Compared with the positive control samples VC and tea polyphenol, the activity of reducing Fe3+ antioxidant and scavenging ABTS + * of flavonoids from Tetrastigma planicaule was higher than that of tea polyphenol, but scavenging OH * was lower than theirs; CONCLUSION: The method of using ultrasound-assisted extraction to extract total flavonoids and microwave extraction to extract total triterpenoids is the best, the extracts of Tetrastigma planicaule also shows certain antioxidative activity.

Transcutaneous carbon dioxide monitoring accurately predicts arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure in patients undergoing prolonged laparoscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND: There may be large differences between measurements of end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure (Petco(2)) and arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure (Paco(2)) during laparoscopic surgeries. Transcutaneous carbon dioxide (Ptcco(2)) monitoring can be used to noninvasively and continuously estimate Paco(2). In the present study we evaluated the accuracy of Ptcco(2) monitoring in predicting the Paco(2) during laparoscopic surgeries with prolonged pneumoperitoneum. METHODS: Sixteen patients who underwent laparoscopic radical gastrectomy or radical proctectomy under general anesthesia were included in the study. Their Paco(2), Petco(2), and Ptcco(2) values were measured at 3 time points before and after pneumoperitoneum. Agreement among measures was assessed by the Bland-Altman method. RESULTS: Forty-eight sample sets were obtained. The average Paco(2)- Ptcco(2) difference was -0.9 + or - 6.4 mm Hg (mean + or - 2 SD). The average Paco(2) - Petco(2) difference was 7.5 + or - 7.0 mm Hg (mean + or - 2 SD). Paco(2) - Ptcco(2) was less than or equal to + or -5 mm Hg for 88% of the samples. Paco(2) - Petco(2) was less than or equal to + or -5 mm Hg for 17% of the samples (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: While undergoing long-term pneumoperitoneum laparoscopic surgery, Ptcco(2) monitoring is more accurate than is PETCO(2) monitoring in predicting the patients' Paco(2).

A structural equation model of depression and the defense system factors: a survey among Chinese college students.

Questionnaires were administered to a large sample of subjects (1363 Chinese college students), to evaluate the mediating risk factors in the defense system of depression, including personality, coping skills, interpersonal context and family environment. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze a total of 12 variables in order to understand how they interact with each other. Eysenck's Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Psychoticism personality types act as the essential parts of the model, both directly and indirectly impacting depression. Coping styles are the mediators that regulate the effects of personality and family environment on depression. Family environment has only indirect effects through personality and positive coping style. Interpersonal context may not have had a significant correlation with depression, but was influenced by family environment and had a correlation with positive coping style. According to the results, therapies based on personality adjustment, family environment and coping styles of college students are greatly recommended among college students in order to lessen the chances of or to prevent depression. The present results may advance our understanding of depression etiology in young Chinese adults and provide suggestions of factors that should be taken into account in the evaluation, treatment and even the prevention of depression.

Improved freeze drying efficiency by ice nucleation proteins with ice morphology modification.

This study aims to use ice nucleation proteins (INPs) as a novel approach to improve the efficiency of freeze drying process and investigate the related mechanism of ice morphology. Our results show that INPs can significantly improve freeze drying efficiency with increased primary drying rate under the increase of INP concentration from 0 to 10-2mg/mL. Moreover, such improvement was more significant at higher subzero freezing temperatures with the addition of INPs, when the control samples were unable to freeze. Those improvements further lead to reduced total drying time, which suggests an estimated total energy saving of 28.5% by INPs. Our ice morphology results indicate the ability of INPs to alter ice morphology with lamellar ice structure and larger crystal size, which both show linear relationships with primary drying rate. The results further suggest that these ice morphology characteristics induced by INPs are very likely to facilitate the water vapor flow and improve the sublimation rate. Additionally, the increase of freeze drying efficiency can also be achieved by INPs in other food systems like coffee and milk with elevated primary drying rate. The results of this study suggest great potential of using INPs to improve the efficiency of freeze drying process for a wide range of food products and other related applications. This study also provides new insights into the relationship between process efficiency and ice morphology.

A Novel Approach To Improve the Efficiency of Block Freeze Concentration Using Ice Nucleation Proteins with Altered Ice Morphology.

Freeze concentration is a separation process with high success in product quality. The remaining challenge is to achieve high efficiency with low cost. This study aims to evaluate the potential of using ice nucleation proteins (INPs) as an effective method to improve the efficiency of block freeze concentration while also exploring the related mechanism of ice morphology. Our results show that INPs are able to significantly improve the efficiency of block freeze concentration in a desalination model. Using this experimental system, we estimate that approximately 50% of the energy cost can be saved by the inclusion of INPs in desalination cycles while still meeting the EPA standard of drinking water (<500 ppm). Our investigative tools for ice morphology include optical microscopy and X-ray computed tomography imaging analysis. Their use indicates that INPs promote the development of a lamellar structured ice matrix with larger hydraulic diameters, which facilitates brine drainage and contains less brine entrapment as compared to control samples. These results suggest great potential for applying INPs to develop an energy-saving freeze concentration method via the alteration of ice morphology.

The effects of hypervolemic infusion on microcirculation perfusion of patients during laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

The aim of this study is to assess the effects of hypervolemic infusion with different solutions on microcirculation perfusion during laparoscopic colorectal surgery.Thirty-six patients were randomly divided into Ringer lactate solution [RL] group, succinylated gelatin injection [Gel] group, and hypertonic saline hydroxyethyl starch 40 injection [HS] group. Hypervolemic infusion was performed during the induction period of general anesthesia. Arterial blood-gas parameters, noninvasive hemodynamics, gastric tonometry values, and central venous pressure (CVP) were compared at baseline (T1); the end of hypervolemic infusion (T2); 5 min (T3), 15 min (T4), 30 min (T5), and 60 min (T6) during pneumoperitoneum; 5 min (T7), 15 min (T8), and 25 min (T9) after pneumoperitoneum. Patients were also grouped by age for further comparisons.The hematocrit levels of all groups after T2 decreased. The gastric mucosal-arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure (Pg-aCO2) started to decrease after T2 and rebounded after T5. There was no difference in the gastric mucosal perfusion when compared between 3 groups. The blood Na of HS group increased significantly after T2, then gradually restored and returned to baseline by T8. The plasma bicarbonate (HCO3) levels of RL and Gel groups elevated from T2 to T7, after which they started to decrease, but this phenomenon was not significant in HS group. In both RL and Gel groups, blood pressure has a significant fluctuation in elder patients.Hypervolemic infusion of these solutions during the induction of anesthesia can improve gastric mucosal perfusion. HS can maintain a more stable hemodynamic effect when used with caution in patients with preoperative hypernatremia.

Facet Joint Versus Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections in Patients With Cervical Radicular Pain due to Foraminal Stenosis: A Retrospective Comparative Study

Background@#A cervical transforaminal epidural (TFE) steroid injection is a useful treatment option for cervical radicular pain, but it carries a small risk of catastrophic complications.Several studies have reported that cervical facet joint (FJ) steroid injection can reduce cervical radicular pain through an indirect epidural spread. The aim of this retrospective comparative study was to evaluate the pain scores and functional disability in subjects receiving cervical FJ or TFE steroid injection for the treatment of cervical radicular pain due to foraminal stenosis (FS). @*Methods@#We selected 278 patients 18 years of age and older who underwent cervical FJ (n = 130) or TFE (n= 148) steroid injection for cervical radicular pain. The primary outcomes included pain scores and functional disability during hospital visits one, three, and six months after the initial injection. Secondary outcomes were the proportion of responders and Medication Quantification Scale (MQS) scores. Adverse events and variables correlating with effectiveness one month after the initial injection were also evaluated. @*Results@#The Numeric Rating Scale and Neck Disability Index scores showed a significant improvement one, three, and six months after the initial injection in both groups, with no significant differences between the groups. No significant differences were observed in the success rates of the procedure one, three, and six months after the initial injection for either group. There were no significant differences in MQS between the groups during the followup period. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that the injection method, age, sex, number of injections, FS severity, MQS, pain duration, and the presence of cervical disc herniation were not independent predictors of treatment success. @*Conclusion@#The efficacy of FJ steroid injection may not be inferior to that of TFE steroid injection in patients with cervical radicular pain due to FS.

High mean water vapour pressure promotes the transmission of bacillary dysentery.

Bacillary dysentery is an infectious disease caused by Shigella dysenteriae, which has a seasonal distribution. External environmental factors, including climate, play a significant role in its transmission. This paper identifies climate-related risk factors and their role in bacillary dysentery transmission. Harbin, in northeast China, with a temperate climate, and Quzhou, in southern China, with a subtropical climate, are chosen as the study locations. The least absolute shrinkage and selectionator operator is applied to select relevant climate factors involved in the transmission of bacillary dysentery. Based on the selected relevant climate factors and incidence rates, an AutoRegressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model is established successfully as a time series prediction model. The numerical results demonstrate that the mean water vapour pressure over the previous month results in a high relative risk for bacillary dysentery transmission in both cities, and the ARIMA model can successfully perform such a prediction. These results provide better explanations for the relationship between climate factors and bacillary dysentery transmission than those put forth in other studies that use only correlation coefficients or fitting models. The findings in this paper demonstrate that the mean water vapour pressure over the previous month is an important predictor for the transmission of bacillary dysentery.

Effects of ghrelin on pulmonary NOD2 mRNA expression and NF-κB activation when protects against acute lung injury in rats challenged with cecal ligation and puncture.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have shown that ghrelin can down-regulate inflammatory cytokine expression via the inhibition of NF-κB activity and therefore, its administration to septic patients is considered beneficial. However, our knowledge of ghrelin's effects on the upstream activators of the NF-κB pathway, such as NOD2, is still limited. This study aimed to investigate the possible involvement of the NOD2 signaling pathway in the anti-inflammatory effects of ghrelin. METHODS: Twenty-four male SD rats received cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) or sham operation, followed by infusion of saline or ghrelin. The lungs were harvested 6h after CLP or sham operation and analyzed for lung histopathology, neutrophil infiltration, inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, and IL-6), NOD2 mRNA expression, and activation of NF-κB. Furthermore, survival was recorded for ten days in additional groups of rats. RESULTS: Compared with sham group, neutrophil infiltration, TNF-α and IL-6 levels, NOD2 mRNA expression, as well as NF-κB activation in lungs from rats undergoing CLP were significantly increased. After the administration of ghrelin, all inflammatory parameters analyzed were lower than those without ghrelin following CLP. In addition, ghrelin improved survival after CLP. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that in a CLP model of sepsis, the beneficial effects that ghrelin has on inflammatory outcomes are mediated at least in part through inhibition of NOD2 expression upstream of NF-κB.

Need for mental health services and service use among high school students in China.

OBJECTIVE: Rapid economic growth and social change in China in recent years have been accompanied by increased rates of mental health problems among the country's adolescents. This study examined rates of mental health service use and associated factors among Chinese adolescents. METHODS: A survey of 1,891 high school students in grades ten through 12 from three high schools in Shantou, China, was conducted in 2009. Measures of mental health status, service need (perceived and objective), mental health service use, and informal help seeking were obtained. RESULTS: Twenty-five percent of the adolescents reported a perceived need for the services of a mental health professional. Only 5% of the sample had used school-based mental health services and only 4% had used non-school-based services. Three factors emerged as independently associated with adolescent use of both school-based and non-school-based services: perceiving a need for mental health services, having turned to a teacher for help, and having turned to a relative other than one's parents for help. Male gender, being a 12th grader, and being an only child were independently associated with use of school-based services only, whereas a suicide attempt and having turned to one's parents for help were independently associated with use of non-school-based services. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate a high level of unmet need for mental health services among Chinese adolescents and highlight the need to improve the mental health knowledge of parents, teachers, and other significant individuals in adolescents' lives to facilitate adolescents' access to the mental health services that they need.

The safety of CO2 pneumoperitoneum for elderly patients during laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the anesthetic outcomes of elderly and younger patients perioperatively, and to evaluate the safety of this procedure in elderly. METHODS: A total of 25 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic colorectal surgery were enrolled in this study prospectively. Ten patients were more than or equal to 70 years (Group E) and 15 patients were less than or equal to 69 years (Group Y). The parameters between groups for perioperative hemodynamics, arterial blood chemistry, and perfusion of intraabdominal organs were recorded and compared periodically from before induction of anesthesia till after the operation. RESULTS: Group E had a higher ASA degree (P<0.01) than group Y. During the operation, the HCO3 and PaCO2 value increased whereas the pH value decreased significantly. All these parameters recovered gradually at the end of the surgery; some serum electrolytes decreased, especially K and Ca. The central venous pressure increased after volume expansion and the beginning of operation, and then decreased postoperatively. Mean arterial pressure had a marked change during volume expansion period and early after the induction of anesthesia. pHi decreased when the operation began. PgCO2 increased significantly at the end of the surgery. Central venous pressure of group E was higher than that of group Y at 5 minutes during operation, whereas mean arterial pressure of elder group was lower than that of younger group at 15 minutes after the end of operation. Other hemodynamic parameters did not differ significantly from the results. CONCLUSION: There is no significantly adverse effect for elderly patients during perioperative period. Adequate intraoperative administration and monitoring are beneficial for maintaining a safe anesthesia.

Application of attention network test and demographic information to detect mild cognitive impairment via combining feature selection with support vector machine.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is now thought as the prodromal phase of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the usual method for diagnosing the disease would be a battery of neuropsychological assessment. The present study proposes to integrate a feature selection scheme with support vector machine (SVM) to identify patients with MCI by using attention network test (ANT) and demographic data. Forty-two patients with MCI and forty-five normal individuals underwent ANT recording, and the reaction time and accuracy of ANT and demographics (age, gender, and educational level) were selected as original features. To select features, we first introduced some random variables as probe features in the original data, then ranked all the features according to their influence on the support vector machine decision function, and finally selected those features that had an influence higher than that of the probes. Initially 18 different features were reduced to only four features by our method. SVM classifier created by using these four features gave an 85% classification accuracy with a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 86%. And the area under the curve obtained by receiver operating characteristics analysis was 0.918. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is a good potential use to assist identifying patients with MCI objectively and efficiently.

Ecstasy use among US adolescents from 1999 to 2008.

AIMS: To investigate trends in rates of ecstasy use among US adolescents from 1999 to 2008, and to examine the associations between the major sociodemographic factors, especially gender, and ecstasy use, during this period. METHODS: The adolescent subsamples (age 12-17) from 1999 to 2008 NHSDA/NSDUH surveys were used for the current study. Data from adolescents' self-reports on use of ecstasy and of other drugs, as well as sociodemographic characteristics, were used in the analyses. RESULTS: There was an increasing trend in adolescent ecstasy use from 1999 to 2002, which was followed by a decreasing trend from 2002 to 2005, and a slight rise from 2005 to 2008. In contrast to some other drugs, ecstasy was more likely to be used by girls than by boys. This gender difference persisted over the 10-year period and could not be explained by other demographic factors. CONCLUSION: Given the known health consequences of ecstasy use, especially for females, the observed gender difference in adolescent ecstasy use should be taken into account by drug prevention and intervention programs.

Effects of persistent CO(2) insufflation during different laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty: a prospective, randomized, controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of carbon-dioxide (CO(2)) insufflation on hemodynamic and respiratory function during laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty and to evaluate the safety of transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair (TAPP) and extraperitoneal hernia repair (TEP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with inguinal hernia were admitted for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in our study. The patients were randomly assigned to undergo TAPP (TAPP group, n = 20) or TEP (TEP group, n = 20). Hemodynamic and respiratory parameters, including heart rate, blood pressure, end-tidal CO(2) (EtCO(2)), and blood-gas parameters, were observed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of sex, age, American Society of Anesthesiology degree, body-mass index, type of hernia, operation time, hospital stay, and postoperative pain score. In both groups, 5 minutes into the operation, blood pressure, EtCO(2), PaCO(2), and HCO(3)(-) increased significantly, whereas heart rate and pH decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The above tendency became significant with the operation prolonged. All parameters recovered to normal levels at the end of surgery. No significant difference was found between the TAPP and TEP groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both TAPP and TEP procedures can result in CO(2) accumulation, acidosis, increased blood pressure, and decreased heart rate. But, these effects were transient and could be well controlled by appropriate treatments during the operation. The laparoscopic TAPP and TEP techniques are safe for patients by proper perioperative management.

[Safety study of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer in elderly patients].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal surgery in elderly (> or = 70 years) and younger(< 70 years) patients, and to evaluate the safety of laparoscopic colorectal surgery in elderly. METHODS: From Aug. 2007 to Dec. 2007, 25 patients with colorectal cancer undergone laparoscopic colorectal surgery were studied prospectively. Ten patients aged 70 years or older(Elder Group), and 15 patients less than 70 years(Younger Group). The parameters of perioperative hemodynamics, blood chemistry, and intraabdominal organs perfusion were recorded periodically during operation and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Elder group had a higher ASA degree(P<0.01). Mean age, height, weight, the classification of the disease, operative time, blood loss and complication were not significantly different between the two groups. The HCO(3) value and PaCO(2) value increased significantly intraoperatively, while the pH value decreased significantly. These parameters returned to basal line at the end of operation, with the decreased electrolytes, especially the kaliopenia and hypocalcemia. The CVP increased significantly at the beginning of operation and after fluid expansion, and decreased postoperatively. Gastric mucosal pH(pHi) decreased when the operation began. The partial pressure of gastric mucosa(PgCO(2)) increased significantly at the end of operation. Other parameters of hemodynamics including HR, CI, and SI were not significantly different during operation. The CVP of elder group was higher than that of younger group at 5 min after the beginning of the operation, while the MAP of elder group was lower than that of younger at 15 min after the end of the operation. Other parameters of hemodynamics including oxygenation, perfusion, and blood chemistry were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: For laparoscopic colorectal surgery, no significant adverse response attributes to elderly patients. The compensation capacity of the elderly is lower. With the reasonable anesthesia administration, the adverse response can be controlled effectively.

[Contour changing of forehead].

OBJECTIVE: To bring forward a method to improve the prominence of the forehead contour. METHODS: 16 patients(age 29-53 years, female 11, male 5) were treated through a bicoronal incision. Following the incision, the forehead soft tissues are reflected down to the level of the superior orbital rims with the protection to the supraorbital neurovascular bundles. To adjust the forehead contour, both superior orbital rims and frontal bossing was reduced by burring down the excess bone or removing the anterior wall of the forehead. RESULTS: The operative effect were satisfactory during 3-12 months of follow-up. No recurrence or osteogenesis were found in the cases. Nasofrontal angle and forehead angle were normal. The prominence of the supraorbital ridges disappeared and forehead became nature. CONCLUSION: Cranioplasty via an osteomy or burring of the outer line of forehead bone are safe, compact and effective way to improve the prominence of the superior orbital rims or frontal bossing.