Feasibility and safety of minimally invasive cardiac coronary artery bypass grafting surgery for patients with multivessel coronary artery disease: Early outcome and short-mid-term follow up results / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the feasibility, safety and mid-term outcome of minimally invasive cardiac surgery coronary artery bypass grafting (MICS CABG) surgery.@*METHODS@#Data of patients who underwent MICS CABG between November 2015 and November 2017 in Peking University Third Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Results were compared with the patients who underwent off-pump coronary aortic bypass grafting (OPCABG) surgery over the same period. The two groups were matched in propensity score matching method according to age, gender, left ventricular ejection fraction, body mass index, severity of coronary artery disease, smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, renal insufficiency, history of cerebrovascular accident, and history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).@*RESULTS@#There were 85 patients in MICS CABG group, including 68 males (80.0%) and 17 females (20%), with an average age of (63.8±8.7) years; 451 patients were enrolled in OPCABG group, and 85 patients were matched by propensity score as control group (OPCABG group). There was no significant difference in general clinical characteristics (P>0.05). The average grafts of MICS CABG and OPCABG were 2.35±0.83 and 2.48±0.72 respectively (P=0.284). No conversion to thoracotomy in MICS CABG group or cardiopulmonary bypass in neither group occurred. There was no significant difference in the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACCEs, 1.17% vs. 3.52%), reoperation (2.34 vs. 3.52%), new-onset atrial fibrillation rate (4.70% vs. 3.52%) or new-onset renal insufficiency rate (1.17% vs. 0%) between MICS CABG group and OPCABG group (P>0.05). The operation time in MICS CABG group was longer than that in OPCABG group [(282.8±55.8) min vs. (246.8±56.9) min, P < 0.05], while the time of ventilator supporting(16.9 h vs. 29.6 h), hospitalization in ICU [(29.3±20.8) h vs. (51.5±48.3) h] and total hospitalization [(18.3±3.2) d vs. (25.7±4.2) d] in MICS CABG group were shorter than those in OPCABG group (P < 0.05). The total patency rate (A+B levels) of MICS CABG was 96.5% after surgery. There was no significant difference in MACCEs rate between the two groups [1.18%(1/85) vs. 3.61%(3/83), P>0.05] in 1-year follow up.@*CONCLUSION@#The MICS CABG surgery is a safe and feasible procedure with good clinical results in early and mid-term follow-up.

Risks factors for death among COVID-19 patients combined with hypertension, coronary heart disease or diabetes / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#The pathogenesis of myocardial injury upon corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection remain unknown,evidence of impact on outcome is insufficient, therefore, we aim to investigate the risk factors for death among COVID-19 patients combined with hypertension, coronary heart disease or diabetes in this study.@*METHODS@#This was a single-centered, retrospective, observational study. Patients of Sino-French Eco-City section of Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, China attended by Peking University Supporting Medical Team and admitted from Jan. 29, 2020 to Mar. 20, 2020 were included. The positive nucleic acid of COVID-19 virus and combination with hypertension, coronary heart disease or diabetes were in the standard. We collected the clinical data and laboratory examination results of the eligible patients to evaluate the related factors of death.@*RESULTS@#In the study, 94 COVID-19 patients enrolled were divided into the group of death (13 cases) and the group of survivors (81 cases), the average age was 66.7 years. Compared with the survival group, the death group had faster basal heart rate(103.2 beats/min vs. 88.4 beats /min, P=0.004), shortness of breath(29.0 beats /min vs. 20.0 beats /min, P<0.001), higher neutrophil count(9.2×109/L vs. 3.8×109/L, P<0.001), lower lymphocyte count(0.5×109/L vs. 1.1×109/L, P<0.001), creatine kinase MB(CK-MB, 3.2 μg/L vs. 0.8 μg/L, P<0.001), high sensitivity cardiac troponin Ⅰ(hs-cTnⅠ, 217.2 ng/L vs. 4.9 ng/L, P<0.001), N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP; 945.0 μg/L vs. 154.0 μg/L, P<0.001), inflammatory factor ferritin(770.2 μg/L vs. 622.8 μg/L , P=0.050), interleukin-2 recepter(IL-2R, 1 586.0 U/mL vs. 694.0 U/mL, P<0.001), interleukin-6(IL-6, 82.3 ng/L vs. 13.0 ng/L, P<0.001), interleukin-10(IL-10, 9.8 ng/L vs. 5.0 ng/L, P<0.001)were higher than those in the survival group. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors for death were old age, low non oxygen saturation, low lymphocyte count, myocardial injury, abnormal increase of IL 2R, IL-6, and IL-10. Multivariate regression showed that old age (OR=1.11, 95%CI=1.03-1.19, P=0.026), low non oxygen saturation(OR=0.85, 95%CI=0.72-0.99, P=0.041), and abnormal increase of IL-10(＞9.1 ng/L, OR=101.93, 95%CI=4.74-2190.71, P=0.003)were independent risk factors for COVID-19 patients combined with hypertension, coronary heart disease or diabetes.@*CONCLUSION@#In COVID-19 patients combined with hypertension, coronary heart disease or diabetes, the risk factors for death were old age, low non oxygen saturation, low lymphocyte count, myocardial injury, and abnormal increase of IL-2R, IL-6, and IL-10. Old age, low non oxygen saturation and abnormal increase of IL-10 were independent risk factors.

Feasibility study of SYNTAX Ⅱ score in guiding the strategy of two-staged hybrid coronary artery revascularization / 中国介入心脏病学杂志

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of selecting the hybrid operation strategy according to the preoperative SYNTAX Ⅱ score by analyzing the characteristics of the SYNTAX score and the changes of the SYNTAX Ⅱ score in the different stages of the hybrid coronary artery bypass surgery. Methods Patients admitted in our hospital from Jan 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017 who received staged hybrid coronary revascularization (first stage CABG, followed by second stage PCI) were reviewed. The total SYNTAX Ⅱ scores before and after minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB) were compared. Results A total of 50 patients were analyzed and scored by coronary angiography with lumen stenosis exceeding 50％. The SYNTAX Ⅰ score before MIDCAB was 36.00 points (13.00, 70.50) and the ratio of SYNTAX Ⅰ score>33 points was 58％ (29/50). After MIDCAB operation, the residual SYNTAX Ⅰ score was 11.50 points (7.00, 18.50), which decreased by 25.50 points (19.00, 33.75). According to the SYNTAX Ⅱ score before MIDCAB, a proportion of 10％ (5/50) patients who received PCI procedure showed a lower 4-year mortality than the CABG operation. The forecasted proportion SYNTAX Ⅱ score after MIDCAB increased to 38％ (19/50) while the actual proportion after MIDCAB was 42％ (21/50). The consistency between the forecasted value and the actual value was 90％ (45/50, P=0.125, McNemar test). Conclusions Using SYNTAX Ⅱ score to predict PCI or CABG treatment after MIDCAB is feasiable. The changes in SYNTAX Ⅱ score before and after MIDCAB was mainly resulted from the improvement in creatinine level after operation.

Feasibility of avoiding axillary lymph node dissection in early breast cancer patients with positive sentinel lymph nodes / 天津医药

Objective To explore the feasibility of omitting axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in early breast cancer patients with positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLN). Methods Clinical data of 591 patients with primary breast cancer treated in our hospital from September 2014 to September 2016 were collected.According to the SLN status,patients were divided into SLN (-) group (n=320), SLN (+) =1 group (n=172), SLN (+)=2 group (n=72) and SLN≥3 group (n=27). ALND was performed in all patients after sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). The positive rates of axillary lymph node (ALN)were compared between groups.Results The positive rates of ALN were 5.0%(16/320),8.1%(14/172),16.7%(12/72)and 37.0%(10/27)in SLN(-)group,SLN(+)=1 group,SLN(+)=2 group and SLN≥3 group respectively.There was no significant difference in the positive rate of ALN between SLN (-) group and SLN (+) =1 group (χ2=1.926,P=0.165). The positive rate of ALN was significantly higher in SLN(+)=2 group than that of SLN(-)group(χ2=12.062,P=0.001)and SLN (+)=1 group(χ2=3.876,P=0.049).The positive rate of ALN was significantly higher in the SLN(+)≥3 group than that in the SLN(-)group(χ2=32.939,P<0.001)and SLN(+)=1 group(χ2=15.751,P<0.001)and SLN(+)=2 group(χ2=4.714,P=0.030). Conclusion The patients with 1 SLN positive can be considered to exempt from ALND,while the patients with 2 or more SLN positive may be recommended ALND.

The Influence of Case Teaching of Forensic Pathology Based on Network Platform on Critical Thinking Skills among Forensic Students / 昆明医科大学学报

Objective The paper aimed to discuss the influence of case teaching of forensic pathology based on network platform on the critical thinking ability of forensic students.Methods Students majoring in forensic were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group with 20 students per group. According to heterogeneity classification, the experimental group was divided into 4 subgroups. The subgroups participated in network cases learning whereas the control group received traditional case teaching. Participants were required to fill in California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory-Chinese Version (CCTDI-CV) before and after learning. CCTDI-CV scores, the scores of final exam and the number of students who had improved in CCTDI-CV scores were compared between the two groups. Results For the experimental group, the total score of CCTDI-CVand the scores of items including looking for the truth, systematized ability, self-confidence, thirst for knowledge were significantly improved after learning. The performance of the experimental group was better than that of the control group at the end of teaching (P＜0.05) . The scores of final exam were higher in the experimental group compared to the control group (P＜0.05) .Conclusion Forensic pathology cases teaching based on network platform is an effective way to stimulate students'critical thinking ability and to improve the study ability.

Efficacy and safety of "2-staged" Hybrid Coronary Revascularization Using Bilateral Internal Thoracic Artery Y Graft for Patients With Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease / 中国循环杂志

Objectives: To explore the feasibility and safety of "2-staged" hybrid coronary revascularization using bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) for the treatment of multivessel coronary artery disease. Methods: Data of 65 patients who underwent "2-staged" hybrid technique (HCR) using BITA (BITA-HCR group) in our heart center because of multivessel coronary artery lesions during 2014.05-2017.05 were retrospectively analyzed. Results were compared with 96 patients who underwent "2-staged" HCR with single ITA (SITA-HCR group) by the same surgeon over the same time period. Results: There was no significant difference of preoperative characteristics between two groups. Operation time was significantly longer [(204.6±28.7) min vs (147.9±31.6) min, P<0.05], number of distal anastomoses was significantly higher [(2.2±0.5) vs (1.0±0.0), P<0.05], number of stents was significantly lower [(1.90±0.67) vs (2.40±0.49), P<0.05] in BITA-HCR group than in SITA-HCR group. Bleeding volume [(520.1±120.3) ml vs (532.2±350.3)ml, P>0.05], mechanical ventilation time [(7.7±3.2) h vs (6.9±2.3) h, P>0.05] and blood transfusion required [5(7.7%)vs 8(8.3%), P>0.05] were similar between the two groups. Conclusions: The "2-staged" hybrid procedure using BITA is safe and feasible for the revascularization of multiple coronary artery lesions.

Comparative Study of Minimally Invasive Directly Bypass Grafting With Bilateral Internal Mammary Artery and Conventional Off-pump Bypass Grafting for Treating Multi-vessel Lesion Coronary Artery Disease / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To assess the early experience and clinical value of left anteriolateral minor thoracotomy minimally invasive directly coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) for treating multi-vessel lesion coronary artery disease (CAD) with bilateral internal mammary artery (BITA). Methods: Our research included in 2 groups: MIDCABG group, n=38 consecutive patients received left anteriolateral minor thoracotomy MIDCAB with BITA in our hospital from 2015-05 to 2017-01 and Control group, n=236 patients received conventional off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) by the same surgeon at same period. Peri-operative condition and relevant complications were compared between 2 groups. Results: In MIDCAB group, the success rate for harvesting BIMA was 94.7% (36/38), the mean time for harvesting right internal mammary artery (RIMA) and LIMA were (42.3±10.5) min and (35.2±8.3) min respectively; a total of 78 grafts were made in 38 patients with the mean of (2.05±0.31) graft/patient, no patient was switching to conventional CABG during the operation. Compared with Control group, MIDCAB group had reduced post-operative mechanical ventilation time (8.9±3.8) h vs (23.6±15.9) h, ICU stay time (29.3±20.8) h vs (56.5±38.3) h and hospital stay time (11.3±3.2) d vs (15.7±4.2) d, all P<0.05; while the incidence of peri-operative MACCE including death, myocardial infarction (MI), revascularization, cerebrovascular accident and poor incision healing were similar between 2 groups, P>0.05. No occlusion of anastomotic stoma was found by post-operative coronary angiography in neither group. The patients were followed-up for the average of 3 months, no death, angina or MI occurred. Conclusion: Through left anterolateral small incision, we can successfully get bilateral internal mammary artery and complete beating heart multi branch CABG.

S100A8 inhibits PDGF-induced proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells dependent on the receptor for advanced glycation end-products

BACKGROUND: Airway remodeling is a key feature of asthma, characterized by increased proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs). S100A8 is a calcium-binding protein with a potential to regulate cell proliferation. Here, the effect of exogenous S100A8 protein on the proliferation of ASMCs induced by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and the underlying molecular mechanism was investigated. METHODS: Rat ASMCs were cultured with or without a neutralizing antibody to the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE), a potential receptor for S100A8 protein. Purified recombinant rat S100A8 protein was then added into the cultured cells, and the proliferation of ASMCs induced by PDGF was detected by colorimetric-based WST-8 assay and ampedance-based xCELLigence proliferation assay. The expression levels of RAGE in ASMCs were analyzed using western blotting assay. RESULTS: Results showed that exogenous S100A8 inhibited the PDGF-induced proliferation of rat ASMCs in a dose- dependent manner with the maximal effect at 1 µg/ml in vitro. Furthermore, when ASMCs was pre-treated with anti-RAGE neutralizing antibody, the inhibitory effect of S100A8 on PDGF-induced proliferation was significantly suppressed. In addition, neither the treatment with S100A8 or PDGF alone nor the pre-treatment with rS100A8 followed by PDGF stimulation affected the expression levels of RAGE. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that S100A8 inhibits PDGF-induced ASMCs proliferation in a manner dependent on membrane receptor RAGE.

Effect of aqueous extract from Araliae Echinocaulis Radicis et Cortex containing serum on TGF-β/BMPs signaling pathway in primary osteoblasts / 药物评价研究

Objective To study the effect of aqueous extract from Araliae Echinocaulis Radicis et Cortex (AEAE) on expression of TGF-β/BMPs signaling pathway in osteoblasts.Methods The fracture model of rat was established and randomly divided into model group,AEAE low,middle and high dose (3.6,1.8,0.9 g/kg) group.After ig administration for 7 d,the blood was taken from abdominal aorta and the serum was separated.The rats primary osteoblasts were cultured and qualified after alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red staining.The osteoblasts were cultured continuously for 48 h in animal serum of the corresponding group.The contents of BMP-2,TGF-β,Smad-1 and Smad-2 were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting method.Results Compared with model group,the mRNA level ofBMP-2,TGF-β and Smad-1 in AEAE low,middle and high dose group,Smad-2 mRNA level in middle and high dose group,and the protein level of BMP-2,TGF-β,Smad-1 and Smad-2 in low,middle and high dose groupwere significantly higher than those in model group (P＜0.05 and 0.01).Conclusion AEAE can promote the proliferation ofosteoblasts by up-regulating the expression of BMP-2,TGF-β,Smad-1 and Smad-2 in TGF-β/BMPs signaling pathway.

Urine metabonomic study for blood-replenishing mechanism of Angelica sinensis in a blood-deficient mouse model / 中国天然药物

This study aimed at determining the effects of Angelica sinensis (AS) on urinary metabolites in blood deficiency mice and exploring its replenishing blood mechanism. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was applied to detect metabolites in the urine samples in different collection periods. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to investigate the differences in metabolic profiles among control group (CG), blood deficiency model group (MG), AS groups, and Colla Corii Asini group (CCAG). The potential biomarkers were identified based on the variable importance in the projection (VIP), T-test, and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and mass spectra library. The metabolites were analyzed using metabolomics pathway analysis (MetPA) to build the metabolic pathways. Our results indicated that, on the seventh day, the levels of glucose, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, alanine, acetoacetic acid, and citric acid changed significantly in blood deficiency mice. However, these metabolic deviations came to closer to normal levels after AS intervention. The reversing blood-deficiency mechanism of AS might involve regulating synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies, Pyruvate metabolism, TCA cycle, and Glycolysis/Gluconeogenesis. In conclusion, metabonomics is a robust and promising means for the identification of biomarkers and elucidation of the mechanisms of a disease, thereby highlighting its importance in drug discovery.

Metabolomic evaluation for anti-inflammatory effect of volatile oils from different preparations of Angelicae Sinensis Radix / 中国中药杂志

To evaluate the anti-acute inflammation effects of volatile oils from different processed products of Angelicae Sinensis Radix(AS) in the rat model of acute inflammation established by the metabolomic method. Volatile oil of charred AS (C-VOAS), wine-processed AS (J-VOAS), locally processed AS (T-VOAS) and oil-process AS (Y-VOAS) were applied to intervene the rat acute paw swelling inflammation model induced by Carrageenan. Changes in serum HIS, 5-HT, PGE2 and TNF-α content in rats were detected. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to detect the metabolites in plasma. Potential biomarkers were investigated according to principal component analysis method and partial least-squares discriminant analysis. According to the results, C-VOAS and J-VOAS could significantly inhibit inflammatory mediators Histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, prostaglandin-E2 and cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (P<0.01), and T-VOAS and Y-VOAS also showed a significantly inhibitory effect (P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, 14 endogenous metabolite biomarkers showed metabolic disturbance in plasma (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with acute inflammation model group, C-VOAS and J-VOAS could better recover the levels of the endogenous metabolites (P<0.05 or P<0.01) than T-VOAS and Y-VOAS (P<0.05 or P<0.01). This study suggests that C-VOAS and J-VOAS show a better anti-inflammatory effect than T-VOAS and Y-VOAS. Therefore, the metabolomic method could be used to expound the anti-inflammatory mechanism of volatile oils from different processed products of AS, and provide a theoretical basis for clinical application of VOAS.

Comparative metabonomics study on urine in rat treated by Angelica sinensis volatile oil / 中国中药杂志

Metabonomics was employed to investigate the effect of Angelica sinensis volatile oil (ASVO) to the endogenous metabolites of normal rats, and to reveal the possible ways of metabolism in rats caused by ASVO. The fifty male Waster rats were randomly divided into five groups (each consists of 10 rats), such as control group, high dose group of ASVO, middle dose group of ASVO, low dose group of ASVO, and Aspirin group. They were given 0.9% saline, 0.352 mL x kg(-1) ASVO, 0.176 mL x kg(-1) ASVO, 0.088 mL x kg(-1) ASVO and ASP respectively with the equal volume of 0.2 mL. Drugs and vehicle were given for 3 successive days. The urine was collected at 12, 24, 36, 48 h after modeling with metabolic cages. Rat urine metabolic fingerprint in different stages was analyzed using GC-MS, based on which the principal component analysis (PCA)and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) models were established for metabonomic analysis. Potential biomarkers were screened by using variable importance in the projection (VIP) and T test. It was revealed that the middle dose of ASVO at 36 h induces a substantial change in rat urine. Compared with control group, seven kinds of endogenous metabolites in ASP group and ASVO group change significantly (P < 0.05), among which aconitic acid, succinic acid, citric acid, alpha-ketone glutaric acid, glycine and malic acid content had an upward trend (P < 0.05) and prostaglandin content had a downward trend (P < 0.01). The mechanism of ASVO and ASP have the similarity. It is likely that ASVO intervenes the metabolic process by affecting the energy, amino acid and lipid metabolism. Our work also indicates that rats administrated with ASVO can increase the energy metabolism of the body, induce the production of inflammatory substances and strengthen the body's immune ability. The result has also provide a proof for futher interpret ASVO pharmacological effects.

Video-electroencephalogram monitoring in children with nonconvulsive status epilepticus / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To explore the clinical features and video-electroencephalogram (VEEG) monitoring of nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) in children.Methods 1.Object of study:Seventeen patients of NCSE diagnosed with Kaplan's criteria were analyzed in Children's Hospital of Fudan University between Oct.2009 and Sep.2012.2.Data analysis:Data on demographics,etiology,clinical manifestation and response to clonazepam therapy were analyzed.3.Therapies:Clonazepam 0.05 mg/kg was intravenously injected twice a day.Treatment of poor efficacy patients was combined with other antiepileptic drugs.4.Therapeutic effect:Clinical assessment of cognitive improvement and VEEG monitoring of background activity or paroxysmal abnormalities were analyzed.Results Nine male and 8 female of 17 patients with NCSE were involved,from 11 months to ll.4-year old.The clinical attacks lasted ranging variously time from 4 hours to 3 months.Each patient had a prolonged change of consciousness,accompanied by psychological or behavioral changes.Definite medical causes were identified in 65％ (11/17 cases) of the patients.Secondary epilepsy was the dominating cause.The characteristics of ictal VEEG in NCSE generally included slow activity and focal or generalized δ or θ activity.After clonazepam treatment,the conditions of 13 patients were under complete control,in which 4 had improvement.Six cases of unknown cause were fully controlled within 72 hours after intravenous injection of clonazepam.The prognosis of CNS infection sequelae patients,metabolism disorders and brain structural damage was poor.Conclusions NCSE may present with confusion,behavioral disturbances and psychiatric conditions.The diagnosis can be made by the ictal and interictal VEEG monitoring.It is necessary to make the diagnosis and control the seizures as quickly as possible.Clonazepam is useful in NCSE.

Clinical and EEG features in children with febrile seizures after antiepileptic drug therapy / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes of clinical and EEG features in children with febrile seizures which are prone to epilepsy four years after antiepileptic drugs valproate and/or topiramate treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and thirty-two children with febrile seizures between 2004 and 2005 and who had the indications of antiepileptic drugs treatment were administered with oral valproate and/or topiramate treatment. The children were followed up for four years. Routine blood tests, liver and renal function tests were performed twice a year. Sleeping activation EEG examination was performed once a year.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During the follow-up of 1 to 10 years, 108 (98.2%) out of 110 children with valproate monotherapy were seizure-free. In the 110 cases, 95 were in the drug withdrawl and 10 were in the drug reduction. All of 13 cases receiving topiramate monotherapy were seizure-free and were in the drug withdrawl. None of the patients showed abnormalities in routine blood tests, liver and renal functions tests. Sleeping activation EEG showed normal in 102 cases, focal discharges in 8 cases, bilateral synchronized spikes in 4 cases and 3Hz spikes and polyspikes in 2 cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Early use of antiepileptic drugs valproate or topiramate is effective and safe in children with febrile seizures which are prone to epilepsy. The majority of the children have a normal sleeping activation EEG after antiepileptic drug therapy.</p>

Antagonism of tert-butylhydroquinone on neurotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by paraquat in PC12 / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effects of the tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) pretreatment on neurotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by paraquat (PQ) in PC12 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cytotoxicity of PC12 cells was measured by MTT assay, following the PC12 cells treatment with different concentrations of 100, 300 micromol/L PQ for 24 h and 48 h. PC12 cells were pretreated with or without 40 micromol/L tBHQ for 4 h, PC12 cells were exposed to PQ at the doses of 0, 100, 300 micromol/L for 24 h and 48 h, respectively. The viability of PC12 cells was measured by MTT assay, the apoptosis rates of PC12 cells were detected by flow cytometry (FCM) and the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of PC12 cells were examine by thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>When the exposure doses of PQ were 100 and 300 micromol/L for 24 h, the viability of PC12 cells pretreated with tBHQ was significantly higher than that of PC12 cells only exposed to PQ (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). When the exposure dose of PQ was 100 micromol/L for 48 h, the viability of PC12 cells pretreated with tBHQ was significantly higher than that of PC12 cells only exposed to PQ (P < 0.01). When the exposure doses of PQ were 100 and 300 micromol/L for 24 h, the apoptosis rates and MDA levels of PC12 cells pretreated with tBHQ were significantly lower than those of PC12 cells only exposed to PQ (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>tBHQ pretreatment can reduce the cytotoxicity, apoptosis and oxidative stress induced by PQ in PC12 cells.</p>

Sustained-hypoxemia: a significant risk factor for anastomotic cicatricial stenosis after esophagectomy / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze retrospectively the roles of different factors, especially the factors in the anastomotic cicatricial, stenosis after esophagectomy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 1111 patients, undergone esophagectomy with immediate reconstruction for cancer in the Sun Yat-sen Cancer Center from December 1997 to December 2003, were analyzed retrospectively. Up to 19 factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis with SPSS 11.5 for windows. Spearman rank correlation was used to evaluate the factors that were statistically significant in Logistic regression analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The overall incidence of anastomotic cicatricial stenosis was 6.84%. By using univariate Logistic regression, sustained-hypoxemia (P=0.003), chest complications (P=0.000), anastomotic leakage (P=0.000), a history of diabetes (P=0.019), a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P=0.046) and cardiovascular complications (P=0.015) came out to be significantly related to anastomotic stenosis. Multivariate Logistic regression showed that sustained-hypoxemia (P=0.044), chest complications (P=0.009), anastomotic leakage (P=0.001) and a history of diabetes (P=0.036) were statistically significant. Spearman rank correlation estimation revealed that sustained-hypoxemia was positively correlated with chest complications (r=0.105) and anastomotic leakage,(r=0.106), and chest complications were positively correlated with anastomotic leakage (r=0.228).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Sustained-hypoxemia is one of the significant factors for anastomotic cicatricial stenosis after esophagectomy.</p>