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Objective:To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on perioperative neurocognitive disorders in elderly frail patients undergoing hip joint surgery.Methods:Sixty elderly patients of either sex, aged≥ 60 yr, weighing 40-100 kg, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ-Ⅲ, with the Frail Scale score 3-5 points, scheduled for elective hip surgery under spinal-epidural anesthesia, were divided into 2 groups ( n=30 each) using the random number table method: control group (group C) and dexmedetomidine group (group D). Dexmedetomidine was intravenously infused at a dose of 0.5 μg/kg at 10 min before anesthesia followed by a continuous infusion of 0.2 μg·kg -1·h -1 until 10 min before the end of surgery in group D. The equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution was given at the corresponding time point in group C. Blood samples from the median cubital vein were collected before surgery (T 1) and at 1 and 3 days after surgery (T 2, 3) for determination of concentrations of serum S100β and neuron-specific enolase by enzyme-related immunosorbent assay. Postoperative delirium was assessed within 3 days after surgery using the Confusion Assessment Method. Cognitive function was evaluated by Mini-Mental State Examination at T 1 and 30 days after surgery. Results:Compared with the baseline at T 1, the concentrations of serum S100β and NSE were significantly increased at T 2 and T 3 in two groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group C, the concentrations of serum S100β and neuron-specific enolase and incidence of postoperative delirium and postoperative cognitive dysfunction were significantly decreased at T 2 and T 3 in group D( P<0.05). Conclusions:Dexmedetomidine can effectively decrease the occurrence of perioperative neurocognitive disorders in elderly frail patients undergoing hip joint surgery.
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Objective:To evaluate the effects of different temperature management strategies on blood-brain barrier (BBB) and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in the patients undergoing spinal fixation surgery.Methods:Ninety-six patients, aged 44-78 yr, weighing 45-104 kg, of American Society of Anesthesiology physical status Ⅰ-Ⅲ, undergoing spinal fixation surgery with combined intravenous-inhalational anesthesia, were divided into 3 groups ( n=32 each) by the simple randomization: warming blood transfusion and infusion group (group WBI), active warming group (group AW) and active warming plus selective brain cooling group (group SBC). In WBI group, the fluid for intraoperative intravenous infusion was warmed to 37 ℃ using a medical blood transfusion-infusion warmer.In AW group, warming was maintained using the fluid warming combined with the body surface warming blanket until the end of operation, and the target temperature of the warming blanket was set at 38 ℃.In SBC group, the warming protocol were similar to those previously described in AW group, and selective brain cooling was performed through an electronic ice cap with a set temperature of 4 ℃.Blood samples were collected from the median cubital vein at the end of operation, brain microvascular endothelial cells were isolated and identified by immunomagnetic bead, and the target cells were counted with a fluorescence microscope.The concentration of C-reactive protein in peripheral blood was measured by rate nephelometry on the first day after operation.The extubation time, length of post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay, total length of hospital stay, thermal comfortableness score, shivering in PACU, agitation and postoperative fever were recorded.The postoperative recovery was assessed using the 40-item Quality-of-Recovery scale on 7th day after surgery. Results:Compared with WBI group, the incidence of POCD and shivering in PACU, extubation time, length of PACU stay, and serum C-reactive protein concentrations were significantly decreased, and thermal comfortableness score and 40-item Quality-of Recovery scale score were increased in AW group and SBC group ( P<0.05). Compared with AW group, the count of brain microvascular endothelial cells was significantly decreased in SBC group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Active warming produces no damage to the structure of BBB, and can reduce the development of POCD; active warming combined with selective brain cooling can improve the structural integrity of BBB, but it cannot reduce the development of POCD in the patients undergoing spinal fixation surgery.
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Radiation-induced brain injury (RBI) is one of the complications after radiotherapy for head and neck malignant tumors, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. The pathophysiological mechanism of RBI is not completely clear. Current studies suggest that it is involved in a variety of cells in the central nervous system (CNS), whereas astrocyte, as the largest number of glial cells in the CNS, plays an important role in maintaining the CNS homeostasis and responding to CNS injury. In this article, the role of astrocytes in RBI was reviewed.
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Human activities, especially industrial production, have aggravated the pollution of heavy metals in the environment, and especially after disrupting the food chain, such pollution can cause varying degrees of heavy metal poisoning in human beings. Studies have shown that exposure to heavy metals tends to upset the balance of the flora and further aggravate organ toxicity. Intestinal probiotics represented by Lactobacillus can actively adsorb heavy metal ions, promote their excretion, and reduce their induced oxidative stress injury and inflammatory response. Focusing on the chronic toxicity induced by long-term low-dose exposure to heavy metals, this article reviewed current pollution status of several common heavy metals (lead, cadmium, and mercury), analyzed the interaction between heavy metals, intestinal flora, and probiotics, and summarized proposed mechanisms of probiotics in mitigating chronic heavy metal toxicity, aiming to provide new ideas for effective prevention and treatment of organ toxicity induced by heavy metals.
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Objective:To analyze the current status of frailty in elderly patients undergoing cardiac surgery, explore its risk factors, and establish a predictive model of frailty in order to provide targeted and predictive nursing programs.Methods:A total of 205 cardiac surgery patients admitted to the first affiliated hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from March 2015 to January 2019 were selected as the study subjects. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether they were frail: the frailty group ( n=78) and the control group ( n=127). Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors that affect the frailty of elderly patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the effectiveness of model X [consisting of body mass index (BMI), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, number of diseased patients, and number of drugs] in diagnosing frailty in elderly patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Results:Of the 205 patients, 78 (38.05%) showed frailty. The proportion of high school education level and above, Tinetti Gaitassessment (TGA) score≥24 and MMSE score≥27 in the frailty group was lower than that in the control group, and the proportion of Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15) score≥7, the number of diseases≥3 and the number of drugs≥5 in the frailty group was higher than that in the control group ( χ2 value was 9.254-26.061, P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that BMI, MMSE score, number of diseased, and number of medications were independent risk factors for frailty in elderly patients undergoing cardiac surgery ( OR value was 0.032-5.275, P<0.05). The area under the ROC curve, sensitivity and specificity of frailty in elderly cardiac surgery patients assessed by model X were 0.913, 75.61% and 96.77%, respectively. Conclusion:The incidence of frailty is higher in elderly patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Model X can diagnose the frailty of elderly patients undergoing cardiac surgery and help clinical nurses to carry out targeted care.
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Objective To evaluate the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway in intrathecal dexmedetomidine-induced reduction of spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)injury in rats.Methods Eighty clean-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 9-10 weeks,weighing 300-350 g,were divided into 4 groups (n =20 each) using a random number table method:sham operation group (group S),spinal cord I/R group (group I/R),dexmedetomidine group (group D),and dexmedetomidine plus ERK signaling pathway blocker PD98059 group (group P).Spinal cord ischemia was produced by cross-clamping of the abdominal aorta distal to the left renal artery for 25 min followed by reperfusion to establish the model of spinal cord I/R injury.Dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg was intrathecally injected at 20 min before establishing the model in D and P groups,PD98059 2 mg/kg was given via the tail vein at the same time in group P,and the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in S and I/R groups.Five rats were selected at 6,8,10 and 12 h of reperfusion,and the modified Basso,Beattie,Bresnahan (BBB) scale was used to assess the hindlimb locomotor function.Five rats were sacrificed after assessing the locomotor function at 6 h of reperfusion,and the L3-5 segments of the spinal cord were taken for determination of cell apoptosis (by TUNEL) and expression of phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) (by Western blot).The apoptosis index was calculated.Results Compared with group S,the BBB scores were significantly decreased at each time point of reperfusion,the apoptosis index was increased,and the expression of pERK was up-regulated in the other three groups (P＜0.05).Compared with I/R group,the BBB scores were significantly increased at each time point of reperfusion,the apoptosis index was increased,and the expression of p-ERK was up-regulated in group D,and no significant change was found in the apoptosis index or p-ERK expression in group P (P＞0.05).Compared with group D,the BBB scores were significantly decreased at each time point of reperfusion,the apoptosis index was increased,and the expression of pERK was down-regulated in group P (P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which intrathecal dexmedetomidine reduces spinal cord I/R injury is related to activating ERK signaling pathway in rats.
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Objective@#To evaluate the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway in intrathecal dexmedetomidine-induced reduction of spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats.@*Methods@#Eighty clean-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 9-10 weeks, weighing 300-350 g, were divided into 4 groups (n=20 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (group S), spinal cord I/R group (group I/R), dexmedetomidine group (group D), and dexmedetomidine plus ERK signaling pathway blocker PD98059 group (group P). Spinal cord ischemia was produced by cross-clamping of the abdominal aorta distal to the left renal artery for 25 min followed by reperfusion to establish the model of spinal cord I/R injury.Dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg was intrathecally injected at 20 min before establishing the model in D and P groups, PD98059 2 mg/kg was given via the tail vein at the same time in group P, and the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in S and I/R groups.Five rats were selected at 6, 8, 10 and 12 h of reperfusion, and the modified Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) scale was used to assess the hindlimb locomotor function.Five rats were sacrificed after assessing the locomotor function at 6 h of reperfusion, and the L3-5 segments of the spinal cord were taken for determination of cell apoptosis (by TUNEL) and expression of phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) (by Western blot). The apoptosis index was calculated.@*Results@#Compared with group S, the BBB scores were significantly decreased at each time point of reperfusion, the apoptosis index was increased, and the expression of p-ERK was up-regulated in the other three groups (P<0.05). Compared with I/R group, the BBB scores were significantly increased at each time point of reperfusion, the apoptosis index was increased, and the expression of p-ERK was up-regulated in group D, and no significant change was found in the apoptosis index or p-ERK expression in group P (P>0.05). Compared with group D, the BBB scores were significantly decreased at each time point of reperfusion, the apoptosis index was increased, and the expression of p-ERK was down-regulated in group P (P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#The mechanism by which intrathecal dexmedetomidine reduces spinal cord I/R injury is related to activating ERK signaling pathway in rats.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between the time after thrombosis and the efficacy of combined ultrasound and microbubble treatment for rescuing the ischemic tissues.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rat models of thrombosis in the right common iliac artery were established and received combined ultrasound and microbubble treatment at 3, 6 and 12 h after thrombosis. The recanalization rate of the right common iliac artery was assessed using both 2-dimensional and Doppler ultrasound. The plateau acoustic intensity (AI) was quantified for estimating the skeletal microvascular blood volume, and skeletal muscle injury markers including myoglobin (Mb) and creatinine kinase (CK) were measured using ELISA. Postmortem TUNEL staining was used to detect the apoptotic rate of skeletal muscle cells in the hind limb of the rats.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with those in 3 h group, the recanalization rate and AI were significantly lower, and the levels of Mb and CK and the apoptotic rate of the skeletal muscle cells were significantly higher in both 6 h group and 12 h group ( < 0.05). Compared with those in 6 h group, the rats receiving treatment at 12 h after thrombosis showed significantly lowered AI and increased Mb, CK and apoptotic rate of the skeletal muscle cells ( < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The efficacy of combined ultrasound and microbubble treatment for rescuing ischemic tissues tends to be attenuated as the time after thrombosis prolongs in rats.</p>
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Objective To evaluate the effects of combination of dexmedetomidine and mild hypothermia on global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in neonatal rats.Methods Ninety-six neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 6-7 days,weighing 18-22 g,were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=24 each) using a random number table:I/R group,mild hypothermia group (group H),dexmedetomidine group (group D) and combination of dexmedetomidine and mild hypothermia group (group DH).Global cerebral ischemia was induced in rats anaesthetized with chloral hydrate by bilateral common carotid artery clamping (for 15 min) combined with hypotension followed by reperfusion.Dexmedetomidine 75 pg/kg was given intraperitoneally at 30 min before ischemia in D and DH groups,while the equal volume of normal saline was given in I/R and H groups.The temperature in the temporal muscle was maintained at 36.7-37.2℃ in I/R and D groups,and at 34.8-35.3℃ in H and DH groups.At 12,24 and 72 h of reperfusion,8 rats were randomly chosen in each group,and neurological deficit score (NDS) was determined.The animals were then sacrificed,and their brains were removed for determination of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity (by spectrophotometry) and contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in brain tissues (using ELISA).Results Compared with I/R group,the NDS,MPO activity and contents of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly decreased in the other three groups.The NDS,MPO activity and contents of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly lower in DH group than in H or D group.Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can optimize cerebral protection providedby mild hypothermia against global cerebral I/R injury through inhibiting inflammatory responses in brain tissues of neonatal rats.
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OBJECTIVE@#The large sample retrospective cohort study were used to compare the diagnostic efficiency of PET/CT with conventional work-up (CWU) for evaluating nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) distant metastasis.@*METHOD@#Five hundred and fourteen patients with NPC were divided into PET/CT group and CWU group according the method of detecting distant metastasis. Chest film, abdominal ultrasonography, and bone scan were used in CWU group. Then the diagnostic efficiency of the two groups was compared.@*RESULT@#Two hundred and sixteen patints were enrolled in PET/CT group and two hundred and nineteen-eight ones in CWU group. There were 28 out of 412 suspicious patients in CWU group were confirmed, another 3 patients confirmed without positive findings, compared with PET/CT group that all 32 suspicious patients were confirmed. The sensitivity and specificity of PET/CT were 100.0% (32/32) and 100.0% (184/184), as compared to 90.3% (28/31) and 94.8% (253/267) with CWU respectively, while there was no statistical significance. Further research found out that the percentage of patients with multiple distant metastatic sites and multiple organ metastases was higher in PET/CT group (P < 0.05), and similarly of patients with distant metastasis in N2-3 stages (P < 0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Our results suggest that PET/CT appears to be slightly superior to conventional work-up in assessment of distant metastasis in NPC patients, but CWU is still a cheap and practical method.