20- Deoxyingenol attenuate morphine-induced hippocampus neurotoxicity and memory impairments in rats.

Objective: The present study aimed to see if 20-Deoxyingenol(20-DOI) could protect hippocampus neurons from the neurotoxic effects of morphine and reduce memory loss in rats. Method: Male Wistar rats were given morphine hydrochloride (45 mg/kg, sc, four weeks) and 20-DOI (10, 20 mg/kg, ip., coadministered with morphine) for the Morris Water Maze (MWM) test to investigate the effects of 20-DOI on spatial learning and memory. Western blotting was used to evaluate the expression of the hippocampal CA1 region of the cleaved caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl2 proteins and so on. Moreover, these assays were used to evaluate the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD)2, heme oxygenase 1(HO1) protein, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity within the hippocampus CA1 area. Results: The administration of 20-DOI (10 and 20 mg/kg) to morphine-treated mice enhanced spatial learning and reduced memory deficits. Additionally, 20-DOI treatment reduced apoptosis and oxidative stress in the hippocampal CA1 region of morphine-treated rats. Moreover, 20-DOI improved the autophagy level of the hippocampal CA1 area of morphine-treated rats using Transcription factor EB (TFEB), and 20-DOI prevented spatial learning and memory impairment in morphine-treated rats. The current observation could be partially due to the inhibition of neuronal apoptosis and oxidative stress in the hippocampal CA1 region of rats treated with morphine and the improved autophagy in this region. Conclusions: 20-DOI attenuated morphine administration in rats with chronic disease caused spatial learning and memory dysfunction. These mechanistic effects could be partially related to 20-DOI protecting the CA1 region of rat hippocampal neurons from the morphine-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy through TFEB.

Quantitative proteomic analysis reveals the effects of mu opioid agonists on HT22 cells.

Introduction: At present, the mu opioid receptor is the most important neuroaesthetics receptor in anesthesiology research, and the damage that it does to the nervous system is unknown. Methods: We investigated the effects of loperamide, an agonist of the mu opioid receptor, on protein expression in HT22 cells using stable isotope labeling of amino acids in cell culture (SILAC), immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) enrichment, and high-resolution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A total of 7,823 proteins were identified. Results and Discussion: Bioinformatic analysis revealed that mu opioid receptor agonism can induce distinct changes in the proteome of HT22 cells. These findings improve our understanding of narcotic drugs.

Intravenous dexmedetomidine pre-medication reduces the required minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane for smooth tracheal extubation in anesthetized children: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: It has been known that Dexmedetomidine pre-medication enhances the effects of volatile anesthetics, reduces the need of sevoflurane, and facilitates smooth extubation in anesthetized children. This present study was designed to determine the effects of different doses of intravenous dexmedetomidine pre-medication on minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane for smooth tracheal extubation (MACEX) in anesthetized children. METHODS: A total of seventy-five pediatric patients, aged 3-7 years, ASA physical status I and II, and undergoing tonsillectomy were randomized to receive intravenous saline (Group D0), dexmedetomidine 1 µg∙kg-1 (Group D1), or dexmedetomidine 2 µg∙kg-1 (Group D2) approximately 10 min before anesthesia start. Sevoflurane was used for anesthesia induction and anesthesia maintenance. At the end of surgery, the initial concentration of sevoflurane for smooth tracheal extubation was determined according to the modified Dixon's "up-and-down" method. The starting sevoflurane for the first patient was 1.5% in Group D0, 1.0% in Group D1, and 0.8% in Group D2, with subsequent 0.1% up or down in next patient based on whether smooth extubation had been achieved or not in current patient. The endotreacheal tube was removed after the predetermined concentration had been maintained constant for ten minutes. All responses ("smooth" or "not smooth") to tracheal extubation and respiratory complications were assessed. RESULTS: MACEX values of sevoflurane in Group D2 (0.51 ± 0.13%) was significantly lower than in Group D1 (0.83 ± 0.10%; P < 0.001), the latter being significantly lower than in Group D0 (1.40 ± 0.12%; P < 0.001). EC95 values of sevoflurane were 0.83%, 1.07%, and 1.73% in Group D2, Group D1, and Group D0, respectively. No patient in the current study had laryngospasm. CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine decreased the required MACEX values of sevoflurane to achieve smooth extubation in a dose-dependent manner. Intravenous dexmedetomidine 1 µg∙kg-1 and 2 µg∙kg-1 pre-medication decreased MACEX by 41% and 64%, respectively. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR): ChiCTR-IOD-17011601 , date of registration: 09 Jun 2017, retrospectively registered.

Efficacy of docetaxel combined with oxaliplatin and fluorouracil against stage III/IV gastric cancer.

AIM: To investigate the clinical efficacy and toxic effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy using docetaxel combined with oxaliplatin and fluorouracil for treating stage III/IV gastric cancer. METHODS: A total of 53 stage III/IV gastric cancer patients were enrolled into the study and treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Two of the cases were excluded. The program was as follows: 75 mg/m(2) docetaxel and 85 mg/m(2) oxaliplatin on day 1 and 1500 mg/m(2) fluorouracil on days 1 to 3 for three weeks. RESULTS: The tumour changes, postoperative remission rate, changes in the symptoms and adverse reactions were observed. The overall clinical efficacy (complete remission + partial remission) of the neoadjuvant chemotherapy was 62.7%. R0 radical resection was performed on 60.8% of the patients, with a remission rate (pathological complete response + pathological subtotal response + pathological partial response) of 74.2%. The Karnofksy score improved in 42 cases. The toxicity reactions mostly included myelosuppression, followed by gastrointestinal mucosal lesions, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisting of docetaxel combined with oxaliplatin and fluorouracil is effective for stage III/IV gastric cancer. However, the treatment is associated with a high incidence of bone marrow suppression, which should be managed clinically.

FGFR4 and TGF-ß1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma: correlation with clinicopathological features and prognosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and correlation of transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) and fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the relationship with clinicopathological features and prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of TGF-ß1 and FGFR4 in 126 HCC samples was detected immunohistochemically. Combined with clinical postoperative follow-up data, the expression of TGF-ß1 and FGFR4 in HCC and the relationship with the prognosis of patients were analyzed by statistically. RESULTS: The positive expression rate of TGF-ß1 was 84.1% (106/126) in tumors, and that in peritumoral liver tissues was 64.3% (81/126); the positive expression rate of FGFR4 in tumors was 74.6% (94/126) and that in peritumoral liver tissues was 57.1% (72/126). The expression of TGF-ß1 and FGFR4 in the carcinoma tissues was significantly higher than that in peritumoral liver tissues (p < 0.05). Intratumoral TGF-ß1 and FGFR4 expression was associated with TNM stage (p < 0.05). TGF-ß1 and FGFR4 expression levels didn't significantly correlate with other clinicopathological parameters, including age, sex, tumor size, serum AFP level, tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, etc. (p > 0.05). TGF-ß1 expression was positively correlated with FGFR4 expression (r = 0.595, p < 0.05). Patients with positive FGFR4 or TGF-ß1 expression had shorter overall survival compared with negative expression (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of TGF-ß1 and FGFR4 could make synergy on the occurrence and progression of HCC, and may be used as prognosis indicators for HCC patients.

[Propofol target controlled infusion plus a low concentration of sevoflurane inhalation induction anesthesia for the removal of foreign body from tracheobronchus in children].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of propofol target controlled infusion (TCI) plus a low concentration of sevoflurane inhalation induction for the removal of tracheobronchial foreign body in children. METHODS: After the approval of the hospital ethics committee, a total of 90 patients, aged 9 - 36 months old and weighted 8 - 17 kg, were randomly divided into 3 groups: group A, group B and group C. Propofol TCI plus a low concentration of sevoflurane inhalation induction was administered in group A while ketamine or fentanyl plus propofol TCI in group B or C respectively. Effects of anesthesia, complications and recovery durations were observed. RESULTS: The incidence of severe breathholding and bucking during inserting bronchoscope was 1 case in group A, 7 in group B and 5 in group C. There were significant differences between groups A and B (P < 0.05). The minimal intra-operative SpO2 in group B or group C was lower than that in group A (P < 0.01). The cases for intra-operative SpO2 < 95% in group B or group C were more than that in group A (P < 0.01). And the maximal target concentration of propofol was significantly higher than that in group A (P < 0.01). Ten cases in group B had laryngeal stridor and dyspnea during inspirations post-operatively and occurred more frequently than those in group A or C (P < 0.01). As compared with group A and C, post-operative staying lengths and recovery durations were significantly longer in those in group B (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Propofol TCI plus a low concentration of sevoflurane inhalation induction is both safe and practical for the controlled removal of tracheobronchial foreign body in children.

[Skeletal biomechanical effectiveness of retinoic acid on induction of osteoporotic rats treated by alendronate and qianggu capsules].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness of retinoic acid on induction of osteoporotic rats treated by either alendronate or qianggu capsules and co-administration. METHODS: Sixty-five female SD rats were treated with retinoic acid 80 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) by gastric lavage for 15 days. Then 5 rats were confirmed cases of osteoporosis and the remaining 60 were randomly divided into 4 groups 15 each: (1) control group with NS 8 ml x kg(-1) x w(-1); (2) alendronate group with alendronate 40 mg x kg(-1) x w(-1); (3) qianggu group with qianggu capsules 90 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1); (4) co-medicated group with alendronate 40 mg x kg(-1) x w(-1) and qianggu capsules 90 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1). Five rats in each group were sacrificed at week 2, 4 and 6 respectively to carry out the biomechanic tests, histopathologic examination and bony callus volume calculation. RESULTS: Biomechanical properties of femur changed significantly after the treatment by alendronate or qianggu capsules and co-medication as compared with that of NS after 4 weeks (P < 0.05); the bony callus were larger when treated by alendronate (P < 0.05) and smaller by qianggu capsules (P > 0.05); the bone trabecula formed and rebuilding were slower by alendronate and quicker by qianggu capsules. CONCLUSION: Alendronate or qianggu capsules and co-medication can improve biomechanical properties of femur by retinoic acid on induction of osteoporotic rats. Qianggu capsules can improve bone union.

Assay of gastrin and somatostatin in gastric antrum tissues of children with chronic gastritis and duodenal ulcer.

AIM: To study the expressions of gastrin (GAS) and somatostatin (SS) in gastric antrum tissues of children with chronic gastritis and duodenal ulcer and their role in pathogenic mechanism. METHODS: Specimens of gastric antrum mucosa from 83 children were retrospectively analyzed. Expressions of GAS and SS in gastric antrum tissues were assayed by the immunohistochemical En Vision method. RESULTS: The expressions of GAS in chronic gastritis Hp+ group (group A), chronic gastritis Hp-group (group B), the duodenal ulcer Hp+group (group C), duodenal ulcer Hp-group (group D), and normal control group (group E) were 28.50+4.55, 19.60+2.49, 22.69+2.71, 25.33+4.76, and 18.80+2.36, respectively. The value in groups A-D was higher than that in group E. The difference was not statistically significant. The expressions of SS in groups A-E were 15.47+1.44, 17.29+2.04, 15.30+1.38, 13.11+0.93 and 12.14+1.68, respectively. The value in groups A-D was higher than that in group E. The difference was also not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The expressions of GAS and SS are increased in children with chronic gastritis and duodenal ulcer.