Absence of 3a0 charge density wave order in the infinite-layer nickelate NdNiO2

A hallmark of many unconventional superconductors is the presence of many-body interactions that give rise to broken-symmetry states intertwined with superconductivity. Recent resonant soft X-ray scattering experiments report commensurate 3a0 charge density wave order in infinite-layer nickelates, which has important implications regarding the universal interplay between charge order and superconductivity in both cuprates and nickelates. Here we present X-ray scattering and spectroscopy measurements on a series of NdNiO2+x samples, which reveal that the signatures of charge density wave order are absent in fully reduced, single-phase NdNiO2. The 3a0 superlattice peak instead originates from a partially reduced impurity phase where excess apical oxygens form ordered rows with three-unit-cell periodicity. The absence of any observable charge density wave order in NdNiO2 highlights a crucial difference between the phase diagrams of cuprate and nickelate superconductors.

Analysis of inter-joint coordination during the sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit tasks in stroke patients with hemiplegia

BACKGROUND

Inter-joint coordination is an important factor affecting postural stability, and its variability increases after fatigue. This study aimed to investigate the coordination pattern of lower limb joints during the sit-to-stand (Si-St) and stand-to-sit (St-Si) tasks in stroke patients and explore the influence of duration on inter-joint coordination.

METHODS

Thirteen stroke hemiplegia patients (five with left paretic and eight right paretic) and thirteen age-matched healthy subjects were recruited. The Si-St and St-Si tasks were performed while each subject's joint kinematics were recorded using a three-dimensional motion capture system. Sagittal joint angles of the bilateral hip, knee and ankle joints as well as the movement duration were extracted. The angle-angle diagrams for the hip-knee, hip-ankle and knee-ankle joint were plotted to assess the inter-joint coordination. The inter-joint coordination was quantified using geometric characteristics of the angle-angle diagrams, including perimeter, area and dimensionless ratio. The coefficient of variation (CV) was performed to compare variability of the coordination parameters.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the perimeter, area and dimensionless ratio values of the bilateral hip-knee, hip-ankle and knee-ankle inter-joints during Si-St and St-Si tasks in the stroke group. The perimeter values of bilateral hip-knee and knee-ankle inter-joints in the stroke group were lower (P<0.05) than in the healthy group during Si-St and St-Si tasks. Although no significant bilateral differences were found, the inter-joint coordination in stroke patients decreased with the increased movement duration of both Si-St and St-Si tasks. Additionally, the CV of the hip-knee inter-joint area during the Si-St task in the stroke group was less than (P<0.05) that in the healthy group.

CONCLUSION

Stroke patients exhibit different inter-joint coordination patterns than healthy controls during the Si-St and St-Si tasks. The duration affects joint coordination, and inter-joint coordination is limited on the hemiplegic side joint pairs, which may lead to inconsistency in the rhythm of the left and right leg inter-joint movements and increase the risk of falls. These findings provide new insights into motor control rehabilitation strategies and may help planning targeted interventions for stoke patients with hemiplegia.

Quantitative assessment of spasticity: a narrative review of novel approaches and technologies

Spasticity is a complex neurological disorder, causing significant physical disabilities and affecting patients' independence and quality of daily lives. Current spasticity assessment methods are questioned for their non-standardized measurement protocols, limited reliabilities, and capabilities in distinguishing neuron or non-neuron factors in upper motor neuron lesion. A series of new approaches are developed for improving the effectiveness of current clinical used spasticity assessment methods with the developing technology in biosensors, robotics, medical imaging, biomechanics, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence. We investigated the reliabilities and effectiveness of current spasticity measures employed in clinical environments and the newly developed approaches, published from 2016 to date, which have the potential to be used in clinical environments. The new spasticity scales, taking advantage of quantified information such as torque, or echo intensity, the velocity-dependent feature and patients' self-reported information, grade spasticity semi-quantitatively, have competitive or better reliability than previous spasticity scales. Medical imaging technologies, including near-infrared spectroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound and thermography, can measure muscle hemodynamics and metabolism, muscle tissue properties, or temperature of tissue. Medical imaging-based methods are feasible to provide quantitative information in assessing and monitoring muscle spasticity. Portable devices, robotic based equipment or myotonometry, using information from angular, inertial, torque or surface EMG sensors, can quantify spasticity with the help of machine learning algorithms. However, spasticity measures using those devices are normally not physiological sound. Repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation can assess patients with severe spasticity, which lost voluntary contractions. Neuromusculoskeletal modeling evaluates the neural and non-neural properties and may gain insights into the underlying pathology of spasticity muscles. Telemedicine technology enables outpatient spasticity assessment. The newly developed spasticity methods aim to standardize experimental protocols and outcome measures and enable quantified, accurate, and intelligent assessment. However, more work is needed to investigate and improve the effectiveness and accuracy of spasticity assessment.

[Causal links between long-term exposure to NO2 and the risk of cardiovascular hospitalization]

Objective: To determine the causal association between long-term Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) exposure and the risk of cardiovascular hospitalization. Methods: Based on a sub-cohort of a community-based prospective cohort study, a total of 36 271 participants were recruited from 35 communities randomly selected in Guangzhou in 2015. The annual average exposure of NO₂, demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and information on the causes of hospitalization was collected. We applied marginal structural Cox models to investigate the effect of NO₂ on cardiovascular hospitalization. Demographic and behavioral factors also stratified results. Results: The mean age of participants in the present study was (50.9±17.8) years, and the cardiovascular admission rate was 8.7%, with 203 822 person-years of follow-up. The annual mean NO₂ concentration was 48.7 μg/m³ during 2015-2020. For each 10 μg/m³ increase in NO₂ concentrations, the HRs (95%CIs) of total cardiovascular hospitalization, cardiovascular hospitalization, and cerebrovascular hospitalization were 1.33 (1.16-1.52), 1.36 (1.16-1.60) and 1.25 (1.00-1.55), respectively. Participants who were never married/married, with secondary education, high exercise frequency, or non-smokers/current smokers may be more susceptible than their counterparts. Conclusion: Long-term exposure to NO₂ significantly increased hospitalization risk for cardiovascular disease.

[Health-adjusted life expectancy in residents in Guangzhou, 2010-2019]

Objective: To analyze the spatiotemporal distribution of life expectancy (LE) and health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE) in Guangzhou from 2010 to 2019, and quantize the comprehensive impact of different causes and sequelae on health. Methods: The LE, HALE, and cause-excluded health adjusted life expectancy (CEHALE) were estimated using cause-of-death surveillance datasets from Guangzhou Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention from 2010 to 2019 and open data from the Global Burden of Disease Study. Joinpoint log-linear regression model was used to analyze the temporal trend and described spatial distribution. Results: In 2019, the LE in residents in Guangzhou was 82.9 years (80.1 years in men and 85.9 years in women), and the HALE was 75.6 years (74.0 years in men and 77.3 years in women). Compared with the urban fringe, the central urban area had higher LE and HALE, and the differences between LE and HALE were small. The LE and HALE in Guangzhou showed an increasing trend from 2010 to 2019. The LE increased by 2.8 years (AAPC=0.4, 95%CI: 0.3-0.4), with the increase of 2.8 years in men and 2.9 years in women. The HALE increased by 2.4 years (AAPC=0.3, 95%CI: 0.3-0.4), with the increase of 2.5 years in men and 2.2 years in women. The median healthy life lost due to communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases was 6.2 years (AAPC=-4.2, 95%CI: -5.3--3.1), while the median healthy life lost due to non-communicable diseases was 14.7 years (AAPC=1.6, 95%CI: 0.9-2.3), the median healthy life expectancy reduced by injury was 6.3 years (AAPC=-3.5, 95%CI: -4.5--2.6). Musculoskeletal disorders, skin and subcutaneous diseases, cardiovascular diseases, nutritional deficiencies, diabetes and kidney diseases were the top five diseases causing healthy life expectancy loss. Conclusion: The LE and HALE in residents in Guangzhou increased steadily from 2010 to 2019, but the quality of life in the urban fringe was lower than that of the central urban area. Non-communicable diseases were the leading causes of healthy life expectancy loss. Health policies and prevention measures should be developed according to area specific characteristics, and social medical resources should be rationally allocated to key diseases to reduce their disease burden.

Taxonomy, phylogeny and identification of Chaetomiaceae with emphasis on thermophilic species

Chaetomiaceae comprises phenotypically diverse species, which impact biotechnology, the indoor environment and human health. Recent studies showed that most of the traditionally defined genera in Chaetomiaceae are highly polyphyletic. Many of these morphology-based genera, such as Chaetomium, Thielavia and Humicola, have been redefined using multigene phylogenetic analysis combined with morphology; however, a comprehensive taxonomic overview of the family is lacking. In addition, the phylogenetic relationship of thermophilic Chaetomiaceae species with non-thermophilic taxa in the family is largely unclear due to limited taxon sampling in previous studies. In this study, we provide an up-to-date overview on the taxonomy and phylogeny of genera and species belonging to Chaetomiaceae, including an extensive taxon sampling of thermophiles. A multigene phylogenetic analysis based on the ITS (internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 including the 5.8S nrDNA), LSU (D1/D2 domains of the 28S nrDNA), rpb2 (partial RNA polymerase II second largest subunit gene) and tub2 (β-tubulin gene) sequences was performed on 345 strains representing Chaetomiaceae and 58 strains of other families in Sordariales. Divergence times based on the multi-gene phylogeny were estimated as aid to determine the genera in the family. Genera were delimited following the criteria that a genus must be a statistically well-supported monophyletic clade in both the multigene phylogeny and molecular dating analysis, fall within a divergence time of over 27 million years ago, and be supported by ecological preference or phenotypic traits. Based on the results of the phylogeny and molecular dating analyses, combined with morphological characters and temperature-growth characteristics, 50 genera and 275 species are accepted in Chaetomiaceae. Among them, six new genera, six new species, 45 new combinations and three new names are proposed. The results demonstrate that the thermophilic species fall into seven genera (Melanocarpus, Mycothermus, Remersonia, Thermocarpiscus gen. nov., Thermochaetoides gen. nov., Thermothelomyces and Thermothielavioides). These genera cluster in six separate lineages, suggesting that thermophiles independently evolved at least six times within the family. A list of accepted genera and species in Chaetomiaceae, together with information on their MycoBank numbers, living ex-type strains and GenBank accession numbers to ITS, LSU, rpb2 and tub2 sequences is provided. Furthermore, we provide suggestions how to describe and identify Chaetomiaceae species.

[Spatial distribution of cancer-related burden in Guangzhou from 2010 to 2013]

Objective: To evaluate the burden and to describe the characteristics of spatial distribution caused by malignant tumors among different administrative areas in Guangzhou from 2010- 2013. Methods: Based on data from the Cancer Registry system and population in Guangzhou in 2010- 2013, disability-adjusted life year (DALY) was assessed on the disease burden of cancer, in accordance with the method used in the Global Burden of Disease study. Results: The crude incidence rates of cancer appeared as 256.22/10(5) in 2010-2011 and 270.04/10(5) in 2012-2013, with the crude mortality rates as 143.17/10(5) and 148.01/10(5), respectively, in Guangzhou. Cancers caused 606 238.95 DALYs in 2010-2011 and 623 763.80 DALYs in 2012-2013 for both sexes and 37.63 and 37.81 person year per 1 000 persons, with the standardized DALY rates as 34.51‰, 34.00‰ respectively. Three administrative districts (Yuexiu, Haizhu and Liwan) were with the largest disease burden of cancers that accounted for 45% of the DALYs for the whole Conghua district, with liver cancer was the leading cancer on DALYs, and tracheal, bronchus and lung cancer ranked the first in the other districts. Conclusions: In Guangzhou, disease burden caused by cancers was both prominently seen in the newly developed urban area and the old districts. It remains an arduous task to continue programs on control and prevention of cancers in this city.

Factors Influencing Families' Decision-Making for Organ Donation in Hunan Province, China

BACKGROUND

In 2010, the Chinese government started a pilot project of donation after Chinese citizens' death. Seeking the consent of the families of potential donors is an important task in the organ donation process.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to explore the factors that influence the families' decision-making for organ donation.

METHODS

We performed a content analysis of 30 semistructured in-depth interviews with immediate family members who made the decision for an organ donation. The interviewees were asked questions such as how the decision to donate was made, what factors influenced the decision, and whether the decision was rejected by relatives and friends.

RESULTS

The interviewees were the donors' parent (15; 50%), spouse (9; 30%), brother (3; 10%) or son (3; 10%), including 18 men and 12 women, with a mean age of 41.6 (standard deviation, 10.7) years; rural households accounted for 83.3%. Through analyzing the interview notes, 17 factors ware mentioned by interviewees, and 3 types of decision-making in organ donors' families were obtained. Then, the factors affecting the decisions of the donor families were classified into 3 categories and 11 subcategories.

CONCLUSIONS

Factors influencing the families' decision-making for organ donation were analyzed preliminarily in this study.

Preliminary Analysis of Competency Assessment of Organ Donation Coordinators in Hunan Province, China

BACKGROUND

The organ donation coordinator is indispensable in the process of organ donation and transplantation. The competency of coordinators is closely related to the organ donation rate.

OBJECTIVE

1) To construct a competency assessment system for organ donation coordinators; and 2) to evaluate the competency level of coordinators in Hunan province.

METHODS

We constructed the competency model framework for coordinators based on the McClelland competency model and then extracted and screened the competency indicators by interview and Delphi methods. Next, we determined the weight of the indicators by an analytic hierarchy process method. Finally, we evaluated the competency level of 42 coordinators in Hunan province with the use of our assessment system.

RESULTS

1) We constructed the competency evaluation system for organ donation coordinators, which included 6 dimensions and 21 competency indicators. 2) The average competency score of 42 coordinators was 79.43 ± 8.51. Five coordinators were at qualified level (11.9%), 18 at moderate level (42.9%), 12 at good level (25.6%), and 7 at excellent level (16.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

1) This competency evaluation system for organ donation coordinators will provide scientific evidence for human resource management in health institutions. 2) The organ donation coordinators in Hunan were qualified, but their number was insufficient.

Late postpartum hemorrhage due to placental and fetal membrane residuals: experience of two cases

PURPOSE

To investigate the cause and preventative measures of late postpartum hemorrhage resulted from placental and fetal membrane residuals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective analysis on 161 cases of late postpartum hemorrhage resulting from residuals of placenta and fetal membrane from 2002 to 2012.

RESULTS

Among the 161 cases, there were 148 cases of vaginal delivery and 13 cases of cesarean section delivery. One hundred twenty-one cases (4.77%) of placental and fetal membrane residuals were present in 2,535 cases of pregnant women with history of abortion; 40 cases (2.01%) of placental and fetal membrane residuals were found in 1,989 cases of pregnant women without history of abortion.

CONCLUSION

Placental and fetal membrane residuals are the major cause of late postpartum hemorrhage. Repeated abortion will increase the incidence of late postpartum hemorrhage resulting from placental and fetal membrane residuals.

Alzheimer's Prevention Education: If We Build It, Will They Come? www.AlzU.org

BACKGROUND

Internet-based educational interventions may be useful for impacting knowledge and behavioral change. However, in AD prevention, little data exists about which educational tools work best in terms of learning and interest in participating in clinical trials.

OBJECTIVES

Primary: Assess effectiveness of interactive webinars vs. written blog-posts on AD prevention learning. Secondary: Evaluate the effect of AD prevention education on interest in participating in clinical trials; Assess usability of, and user perceptions about, an online AD education research platform; Classify target populations (demographics, learning needs, interests).

DESIGN

Observational.

SETTING

Online.

PARTICIPANTS

Men/Women, aged 25+, recruited via facebook.com.

INTERVENTION

Alzheimer's Universe (www.AlzU.org) education research platform.

MEASUREMENTS

Pre/post-test performance, self-reported Likert-scale ratings, completion rates.

RESULTS

Over two-weeks, 4268 visits were generated. 503 signed-up for a user account (11.8% join rate), 196 participated in the lessons (39.0%) and 100 completed all beta-testing steps (19.9%). Users randomized to webinar instruction about AD prevention and the stages of AD demonstrated significant increases (p=0.01) in pre vs. post-testing scores compared to blog-post intervention. Upon joining, 42% were interested in participating in a clinical trial in AD prevention. After completing all beta-test activities, interest increased to 86%. Users were primarily women and the largest category was children of AD patients. 66.3% joined to learn more about AD prevention, 65.3% to learn more about AD treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Webinar-based education led to significant improvements in learning about AD prevention and the stages of AD. AlzU.org participation more than doubled interest in AD prevention clinical trial participation. Subjects were quickly and cost-effectively recruited, and highly satisfied with the AD education research platform. Based on these data, we will further refine AlzU.org prior to public launch and aim to study the effectiveness of 25 interactive webinar-based vs. blog-post style lessons on learning and patient outcomes, in a randomized, within-subjects design trial.

MicroRNA-34 suppresses breast cancer invasion and metastasis by directly targeting Fra-1

MicroRNAs have key roles in tumor metastasis. Here, we describe the regulation and function of miR-34a and miR-34c (miR-34a/c) in breast cancer metastasis. Expression analysis verified that miR-34a/c expression is significantly decreased in metastatic breast cancer cells and human primary breast tumors with lymph node metastases. Overexpression of miR-34a/c could inhibit breast cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro and distal pulmonary metastasis in vivo. Further studies revealed that Fos-related antigen 1 (Fra-1 or Fosl1) is a downstream target of miR-34a/c as miR-34a/c bound directly to the 3'untranslated region of Fra-1, subsequently reducing both the mRNA and protein levels of Fra-1. Silencing of Fra-1 recapitulated the effects of miR-34a/c overexpression, whereas enforced expression of Fra-1 reverses the suppressive effects of miR-34a/c. Moreover, significant downregulation of miR-34a in metastatic breast cancer tissues was found to be inversely correlated with Fra-1 expression. Our results demonstrate that miR-34a/c functions as a metastasis suppressor to regulate breast cancer migration and invasion through targeting Fra-1 oncogene and suggest a therapeutic application of miR-34 in breast cancer.

Intraoperative catecholamine release in brain-dead organ donors is not suppressed by administration of fentanyl

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Endogenous catecholamines are released in brain-dead organ donors following painful stimulation during retrieval surgery, and might be harmful to harvested organs. Our hypothesis was that inhibition of pain by fentanyl would inhibit such catecholamine release.

METHODS

We tested 17 brain-dead organ donors in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study. Blood samples for determination of epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations were obtained before and 10 min after in take of either fentanyl 7 microg kg(-1) or an equivalent volume of placebo. Further points of measurement were taken after skin incision and sternotomy. Mean arterial pressure and heart rate at these points were recorded.

RESULTS

Catecholamine concentrations rose following painful stimuli. No differences in haemodynamics, between the fentanyl and the placebo group were detectable. Epinephrine concentrations, but not those of norepinephrine, were higher in the fentanyl group, reaching significance following sternotomy.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that the use of fentanyl (7 microg kg(-1)) was not effective in suppressing the catecholamine release, following painful surgical stimulation in brain-dead organ donors.

Effect of cardiopulmonary bypass on beta adrenergic receptor-adenylate cyclase system on surfaces of peripheral lymphocytes

The experimental results showed that the level of CAMP, the ratio of cAPM to cGMP, IL-2R expression and IL-2 production in vitro in lymphocytes immediate and 2 weeks after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were significantly lower than those before anesthetics in the patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB. These findings suggested that CPB could cause serious damage to adrenergic beta receptor-adenylate cyclase system on circulating lymphocytes surfaces, which might be one of the mechanisms resulting in immunosuppression after open heart surgery with CPB.

Effects of bioreactor temperature and time on odor-related parameters in aerated swine manure slurries

Previous studies have linked odor generation from swine manure to some characteristics of the liquid manure such oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and predominant microbial population. This study investigated the effect of bioreactor temperature and time on the aforementioned parameters during aeration of swine manure. Five reactors (13 1 capacity) loaded with swine manure and maintained at temperatures of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 degrees C, were supplied with air for 15 days to maintain aerobic conditions. Large fluctuations in ORP (-120 to 360 mV) were observed in the first seven days of aeration, which stabilized thereafter regardless of the bioreactor temperature. The percentage removal of VFAs and BOD5 in the manure significantly increased from 0.0% on day one to 87.8% and 65.3%, respectively, on day nine, and remained relatively constant thereafter. The mean percentage of VFAs and BOD5 removed also increased significantly with an increase in the bioreactor temperature. The VFAs and BOD5 removal increased by approximately 25% and 35%, respectively, in going from 5 to 25 degrees C, during the 15 days of aeration. Both VFAs and BOD5 in the manure were significantly correlated with ORP, aerobic bacteria, and anaerobic bacteria. The data suggested that continued aeration for seven days at 20 or 25 degrees C was sufficient for significant reduction of odor precursors (VFAs and BOD5) and in stabilization of swine manure. A linear correlation of 0.97 between VFAs and BOD5 indicated that the two parameters can be used interchangeably as indicators of odor release potential in swine manure.

Effect of solid-liquid separation on BOD and VFA in swine manure

Fresh swine manure was sieved into seven different particle size categories, i.e., <0.075 mm, < 0.15 mm, < 0.25 mm, < 0.5 min, < 1.0 mm, < 1.4 mm, and < 2.0 mm. Manure was stored in seven PVC columns and sampled every 5 days up to 30 days. Manure samples were analyzed for total volatile fatty acids (VFAs), 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total solids (TS), total suspended solids (TSS), and total volatile solids (TVS). Two parameters (VFAs and BOD5) were used to determine the odor generation potential of the test manure. The results showed that total VFAs correlated well with BOD5 (R2 = 0.8297). The levels of ISS only explained 40% of BOD5 and 46% of VFAs, both of which increased with storage time, regardless of solid particle sizes. Also, the data inferred that most of the odorous compounds (measured by VFA and BOD levels) were contained in manure solid particles less than 0.075 mm. These cannot be removed by commercial mechanical separators with screen size ranging from 0.5 to 3.0 mm. With an average separation efficiency of 25% for most commercially available mechanical separators, the removal efficiencies of BOD5 and VFAs were as low as 10% and 12%, respectively. These findings cannot justify the use of solid-liquid separation tocontrol odor. Data also showed that for swine manure, it is critical to run separation treatment within the first ten days after the manure is excreted to potentially improve the separation efficiency. After ten days, the degradation of TSS was accelerated due to the increased biological activities, which may greatly reduce the separation efficiency.

The effect of limited aeration on swine manure phosphorus removal

Two low level aeration schemes (intermittent vs. continuous) were investigated on a laboratory scale, in conjunction with swine manure pH adjustment using sodium hydroxide (1.0 M), for manure phosphorus (P) removal. According to the data, an 80% reduction in soluble P was observed when the manure pH was increased to 8. Both intermittent and continuous aeration treatments could raise manure pH above 8 with an airflow rate of 1 L/minute in a period of 15 days. A drastic increase in pH (about 1 unit) was observed for both aeration schemes within the first day of test, resulting in a 76% reduction in soluble P concentration in the liquid. It appeared that there is no difference in terms of P removal between the two aeration programs, suggesting that the intermittent aeration be preferred to save energy while still achieving the same level of P removal.

[Automatic detecting 400.0 nm break of galaxies spectra]

This paper presents an automatic method to detect the position of 400.0 nm break in galaxies spectra. This spectral discontinuity is due to the opacity produced by the presence of a large number of spectral lines of ionized metal. It is largely used to determine the star formation characteristics of distant field and cluster galaxies. The position of the discontinuity is an indicator of redshift. Detecting the position by hand is not possible in a sky survey with large amount of spectra data. We develop an automatic method using wavelet transform and discrete convoution. All steps are given in the paper. The program subtracts the spectral lines from a continuum using wavelet filter and determines that the spectrum is an emission line galaxy. Then the discontinuity position is obtained by convolution between a step function and the continuum, at last, the program computes the redshift z, and identifies strong emission lines using computed z. When the strong lines are identified, the position is determined. We use 3 data set to test our program. The results suffice to show that discontinuity position is very precisely measured. This method can be the first step for studying the galaxies spectra surveys.

Propofol combined with diazepam synergistically potentiates the GABA-activated chloride current in rat sensory neurons

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of propofol combined with diazepam on the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-activated chloride current (IGABA) evoked in rat sensory neurons.

METHODS

Whole cell patch clamp recordings were made from cultured rat dorsal root ganglionic neurons. GABA (3 mumol/L) was applied by pressure ejection. The anesthetics were dissolved in the external solution and given by the "Y-tube" method.

RESULTS

Co-application of propofol (0.3-3 mumol/L) and diazepam (100 nmol/L) potentiated the IGABA which was significantly larger than the sum of that potentiated by drug alone. Diazepam (100 nmol/L) shifted the concentration-response curve for the IGABA potentiation induced by propofol to the left in a parallel fashion. The EC50 value for propofol was decreased by diazepam from 7.6 +/- 1.8 mumol/L to 3.9 +/- 1.1 mumol/L (n = 9).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that propofol combined with diazepam synergistically potentiates the IGABA. Diazepam-induced increase in the apparent binding affinity of propofol for the GABAA receptors is likely responsible for a clinical synergistic hypnotic action during co-application with propofol and diazepam.

[The effects of sodium nitroprusside-induced hypotension at different levels on cerebral blood flow and metabolism: a clinical study]

OBJECTIVE

The clinical experiment was designed for observing the effects of deliberate hypotension at different level on cerebral blood flow and metabolism.

METHODS

30 ASA Grade I-II patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups (each group n = 10). Hypotension was induced by sodium nitroprusside in group 1[mean arterial pressure (MAP) = 55 mmHg] and group 2 (MAP = 65 mmHg). Group 3 (control) was on normotension. The changes of cerebral blood flow during hypotension were estimated according to the variability of cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) in the middle cerebral artery(MCA), which was obtained through transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD).

RESULTS

Hypotension caused a moderate decrease in CBFV, but no significant difference, in CBFV and oxygen saturation in internal jugular vein(SjO2), either among three groups or during the procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

It is safe for cerebral perfusion and metabolism with deliberate hypotension at MAP = 55 mmHg.

[Effect of propofol and etomidate for anesthesia induction on plasma total cortisol concentration]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of propofol and etomidate for anesthesia induction on adrenocortical function.

METHODS

The plasma total cortisol concentration was determined in 20 patients who were treated with propofol or etomidate.

RESULTS

After propofol induction, the plasma total cortisol level decreased from (308.7 +/- 27.4) nmol/L to (267.7 +/- 31.2) nmol/L at post-medication 2 hours, increased to (400.2 +/- 26.9) nmol/L at postmedication 5 hours and restored to premedication level at postmedication 24 hours [(306.4 +/- 35.4) nmol/L]. After etomidate induction, the plasma total cortisol level decreased from (309.1 +/- 36.6) nmol/L to (115.9 +/- 29.7) nmol/L at postmedication 2 hours, maintained (171.1 +/- 34.7) nmol/L at postmedication 5 hours and restored to premedication level at postmedication 24 hours [(311.8 +/- 46.2) nmol/L].

CONCLUSIONS

Propofol induction has little effect on adrenocortical function whereas etomidate induction inhibits adrenocortical function.

Additive potentiation by co-application of propofol and sevoflurane on GABA-induced chloride current in cultured neurons from rat dorsal root ganglia

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of various concentrations of sevoflurane and propofol and a combination of the two agents on chloride current induced by bath utilization of 3 x 10(-6) mol/L gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the rat dorsal root ganglia neurons maintained in primary culture.

METHODS

Sensory neurons from rat dorsal root ganglia were dissociated and cultured. The whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to record chloride current. All drugs were applied with a rapid perfusion system, named "Y-tube" method.

RESULTS

The peak chloride current amplitude was induced by 3 x 10(-6) mol/L GABA with substantially increasing of both sevoflurane and propofol. Additionally, desensitization of IGABA induced by either propofol or sevoflurane was not observed. We examined actions of various concentrations of propofol (3 x 10(-7), 1 x 10(-6), 3 x 10(-6) mol/L), sevoflurane (7 x 10(-4) mol/L) and their combination at concentrations relevant to clinical anesthesia on IGABA propofol (3 x 10(-7), 1 x 10(-6), 3 x 10(-6) mol/L) produced a concentration-dependent increase in the response to 3 x 10(-6) mol/L GABA on IGABA. When combined with 7 x 10(-4) mol/L sevoflurane, the potentiation of response to GABA obtained with various concentrations of propofol was not different from a theoretical additive response (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Either sevoflurane or propofol and their combination at clinically relevant concentrations potentiate the GABA-induced chloride current, which may at least partially contribute to the anesthetic mechanism. Additive interaction obtained with a co-application of propofol and sevoflurane may provide an evidence for a clinical combination of these two anesthetic agents.

[Bolus administration of esmolol for preventing the haemodynamic response to tracheal intubation: a multicentre clinical study]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the dose-response relation and the safety of esmolol administered as a single i.v. bolus prior to the induction of anesthesia for preventing the haemodynamic response to tracheal intubation.

METHODS

1,830 patients from 20 centres were randomly divided into three groups: E1 group, receiving esmolol at a dose of 1 mg/kg; E2 group, at 2 mg/kg and E0 group, receiving 0.9% NaCl. Heart rate, systolic and diastolic, and mean artery blood pressures (MAP) were measured following the induction and 1 to 10 minutes following the intubation.

RESULTS

The patients in the E0 group had greater HR and MAP values after anesthesia induction and tracheal intubation than the patients in the E1 and E2 groups (P < 0.05-0.01). The E1 group had higher HR than the E2 group (P < 0.05-0.01). The incidence of tachycardia after intubation was higher in the E0 group (63.8%) than in the E1 group (34.7%) and the E2 group (22.6%) (P < 0.01). The proportion of hypotention and bradycardia was higher in the two treatment groups than the E0 group (P < 0.01), but no severe adverse event was observed.

CONCLUSION

A 1-2 mg/kg bolus of esmolol is effective and safe for preventing the haemodynamic response to tracheal intubation. The clinical and side-effects are all dose-related.

Effects of alfentanil and esmolol on hemodynamic and catecholamine response to tracheal intubation

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of alfentanil and esmolol on hemodynamic and catecholamine response to tracheal intubation.

METHODS

Thirty-five adult patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups, Group A (control group). Group B (esmolol group) and Group C (alfentanil group). The patients received either 2 mg/kg esmolol (in Group B) or 30 microg/kg alfentanil (in Group C) before intubation. Tracheal intubation was performed with 4 mg/kg thiopental and 0.1 mg/kg vecuronium and 3% isoflurane. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean blood pressure (MBP), heart rate (HR), norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E) and dopamine (DA) were measured before and after intubation.

RESULTS

The control group had a baseline SBP of 149 +/- 23 mmHg while Groups B, C had a baseline SBP of 148 +/- 23, and 150 +/- 21 mmHg, respectively (P>0.05). Three min after tracheal intubation, the control group SBP increased to 160 +/- 30 mmHg and Group B remained at the baseline level, 147 +/- 5 mmHg, and Group C significantly decreased to 91 +/- 22 mmHg (P<0.01). Two min after intubation HR in Group B increased significantly but 3 min after intubation HR in Groups B and C were significantly lower than that of control group (P<0.05). NE in Groups A and B increased significantly to 5.75 +/- 3.51 and 6.75 +/- 3.30 nmol/L 3 min after intubation (P<0.01). In Group C, 3 min after intubation NE was not significantly different from the baseline but E decreased significantly (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

2 mg/kg esmolol can moderate the hemodynamic response to tracheal intubation to a certain extent and 30 microg/kg alfentanil can completely attenuate the hemodynamic and catecholamine responses.

[Biological responses of a Streptomyces strain producing-Nikkomycin to space flight]

In order to see biological responses to the production of Nikkomycins in general and Nikkomycin X and Z in particular by space conditions, Streptomyces ansochromogenus, a Nikkomycins-producing strain, was carried onboard a satellite for 15 d in 1996. Several strains were isolated from the treated sample and found that the productivity of Nikkomycins in all was increased by 13-18 percent, and the proportion of Nikkomycin X and Z increased correspondingly. Besides, some biological properties of the isolated strains varied markedly.

[The protective effect of captopril during myocardial ischemia and reperfusion and its mechanism]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the myocardial protective effect of captopril (Cpl) during ischemia and reperfusion injury.

METHODS

Sixteen mongrel dogs were randomly divided into the control and Cpl groups. In the control group, only modified St. Thomas cardioplegia was used. In the Cpl group, St. Thomas cardioplegia and reperfusional blood containing captopril 4.6 mumol/L were used. The plasma renin activity (RA), contents of angiotensin II (AT-II) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in arterial blood were determined before cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and 5, 35, 60 min after reperfusion. The myocardial RA, contents of AT-II, ET-1 and malondyldialdehyde (MDA) were also measured. Parameters of cardiac function were monitored simultaneously.

RESULTS

In the control group the plasma RA, AT-II and ET-1 contents were increased after reperfusion and significantly higher than those before CPB (P < 0.01). However, the content of AT-II in the Cpl group was not increased after reperfusion. The content of ET-1 in the Cpl group was increased but significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01). The myocardial AT-II, ET-1 and MDA contents in the Cpl group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The cardiac index (CI) and coronary blood flow (CBF) in the Cpl group regained normal after reperfusion at 35 min.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardioplegia and reperfusion blood containing 4.6 mumol/L captopril could ameliorate the cardiac performances by inhibiting myocardial and systemic RAS and decreasing the ET-1 production.

The change of arteriovenous carbon dioxide and pH gradients during severe hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation

OBJECTIVE

To investigate clinically useful markers for determining the severity of hemorrhagic shock and adequacy of resuscitation.

METHODS

Prospective study was undertaken in 12 dogs, using an established model for hemorrhagic shock. The anesthetized dogs were bled to a mean arterial pressure of 40 mmHg which was maintained for 3 hours. Then each animal was resuscitated with heperinized whole blood followed by intravenous infusion of dobutamine at a rate of 5 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 for 10 minutes. Arterial and mixed venous blood gases, arterial lactate concentrations and hemodynamic parameters were measured throughout the study.

RESULTS

A difference in the PCO2 and pH values between arterial and mixed venous blood was observed. Arterial-venous PCO2 and pH difference increased significantly after sustained shock. The arteriovenous carbon dioxide and pH gradients recovered more rapidly than arterial lactate levels after successful resuscitation with blood and dobutamine.

CONCLUSION

Arterial blood gases fail to reflect the acid-base status of tissues during hemorrhagic shock. The differences in PCO2 and pH values between arterial and mixed venous blood could be used as clinical indicators for assessing the severity of shock and efficacy of resuscitation.

[Simultaneously monitoring end tidal CO2 and other parameters versus anesthesia management]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the significance of end tidal CO2(ETCO2) combined with other techniques in anesthesia management.

METHODS

Twenty two patients undergoing general anesthesia were monitored with electromyocardiogram (ECG), invasive arterial blood pressure (IABP), plethysmogram and capnography simultaneously. Ten patients undergoing epidural anesthesia and cervical plexus block were monitored with ETCO2.

RESULTS

During general anesthesia the depth of general anesthesia, status of ventilation and the degree of muscle relaxation could be grossly evaluated by simultaneously monitoring ETCO2, capnography, plethysmogram, ECG and IABP. ETCO2 could also provide an objective standard for the assessment of respiratory function during spontaneous ventilation.

CONCLUSIONS

ETCO2 combined with other monitoring techniques can increase the safety of anesthesia and the accuracy of anesthesia management.

Changes on receptor expression and production of interleukin-2 in circulating lymphocyte population after open heart surgery

To evaluate the change of perioperative cell mediated immunity after cardiac operation with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), so as to provide some information for timely prevention and treatment against postoperative immunological disorder, 40 patients were studied. By searching for the effects of CPB and anesthesia, interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression upon the surface of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), as well as interleukin-2 (IL-2) production in vitro was traced 55 min after anesthesia, at end of CPB, on postoperative 1, 7, and 14 day versus preanesthesia control. Our data demonstrated that expression of IL-2R on PBMC was significantly suppressed in all comparing with the baseline value, meanwhile, IL-2 production in vitro also statistically dropped. However, no statistical difference was found on perioperative IL-2R expression and IL-2 synthesis in the cholecystectomy group. We conclude that postoperative immunological disorder seems to be the main factor, which could be denoted as reduced IL-2R expression on PBMC and IL-2 synthesis in vitro for sepsis, even multiple system organ failure developed after cardiac surgery.

[Application of rigid bronchoscopy in airway management after lobectomy of lung]

OBJECTIVE

Application of rigid bronchoscopy in airway management after lobectomy of lung was recommended, and its significance was discussed.

METHODS

Bronchoscopies were performed in three patients scheduled for lobectomy of lung undergoing epidural plus general anesthesia. Each patient was examined two times. The first examination was done after anesthetic induction and intubation. The second was given at the end of operation.

RESULTS

Rigid bronchoscopy under general anesthesia could clearly show the inner structures of trachea, bronchi and location of carcinoma. Under direct version, the secretion and sludged blood in the trachea and bronchi after lobectomy could be scavenged.

CONCLUSION

It was suggested that with the use of bronchoscopy the complications including postoperative atelectasis and bronchial-pleural fistulization could be reduced.

[Quantitative electroencephalogram monitoring the depth of anesthesia during skin incision]

We investigated the EEG parameter changes of skin incision during different depth of sevoflurane/nitrous oxide analgesia. 65 ASA physical status I patients (aged 34 +/- 12 yr) scheduled for elective abdominal surgery were studied. The tracheal of each patient was intubated and the lungs were ventilated. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Anesthesia was maintained with 1% (group I n = 25), 1.5% (group II n = 20) or 2% (group III n = 20) end-tidal sevoflurane concentration in 66% nitrous oxide. Each of the concentration levels was maintained for at least 15 minutes before surgical incision. The EEG electrodes were placed on each patient in a front-oparietal montage (Fp1- A1, Fp2- A2) referred to Cz. EEG was recorded during 3-min period before incision. Hemodynamic variables were also monitored. Inadequate anesthetic depth was defined as patient movement in response to a 5-cm skin incision. The ventilation was controlled to maintain normocapnia (PETCO2 5 +/- 0.04 kPa). The data were analysed using ANOVA, liner correlation analysis and t-test. A significant difference between EEG parameters (SEF, BIS,) and skin incision responsive rate were found among the three concentration groups (P < 0.01). There were no difference of hemodynamics among the three groups. Patients who moved at incision also had significantly higher SEF, BIS leveles compared to non-movers (P < 0.01). Quantitative EEG determinants were correlated well with the end-tidal sevoflurane concentration and were a useful predictor of patient movement in response to skin incision during sevoflurane/nitrous oxide anesthesia.

[Effects of captopril on the myocardial performances and hemodynamics after cardiac arrest]

The effects of cardioplegia and reperfusional blood containing 4.6 mumol/L captopril (CPL) on the myocardial performances and hemodynamics of canine heart under hypothermic extracorporeal circulation were studied. Twenty four mongrel dogs were divided randomly into 3 groups.

CONTROL GROUP

Only modified St. Thomas cardioplegia was used. CPL group: St. Thomas cardioplegia containing CPL 4.6 mumol/L was used and the same concentration of captopril in the circulatory blood was established before releasing the cross clamp. CPL + phenylephrine group: The concentration was the same as the CPL group, with an additional dose of phenylephrine (2 micrograms/kg) into the oxygenator and abdominal coarctation. The results revealed that the coronary blood flow and left ventricular contractility and relaxation indices of CPL group were significantly improved than those of the control group, and increasing the systemic and pulmonary vascular resistence had no effect on the cardiac function protected by captopril. It is suggested that captopril could ameliorate the recovery of myocardial performences by inhibitting myocardial and systemic renin-angiotensin system and scavenging free radicals.

Expression of the spinach betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH) gene in transgenic tobacco plants

Plasmid pLS9 contains a 1.5-kb of spinach cDNA including its complete open reading frame. The 1.5-kb BADH cDNA was cut from pLS9 using restriction enzyme and was inserted into the expression cassette of plasmid pYH between the CaMV 35S promoter and polyA signal sequence. The 35S-BADH cDNA-polyA fragment of pYH was cloned into a polylinker cloning site of the binary vector pBin19. The resulting plasmid pBinBADH-S was transferred to Agrobacterium tumefacies LBA4404. The tobacco plants were transformed with strain LBA4404 containing pBinBADH-S, and more than ninety kanamycin-resistant transformants were selected. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection showed that more than 60% of the transformed tobacco plants contained the foreign BADH gene. The Western blot analysis, BADH enzymatic assay, specific stain for BADH activity, and the test for salt tolerance showed that BADH gene was normally expressed in the transgenic tobacco plants. The BADH enzymes also presented in chloroplasts and cytosol of the transgenic plants. The transgenic tobacco plants having strong expression of BADH gene had strong ability to tolerate high salt stress.

[The effects of cardioplegia and reperfusional blood containing captopril on myocardial ultrastructure alterations after cardiac arrest]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the myocardial protective effect of captopril on the ischemia and reperfusion injury in the canine heart.

METHODS

Twelve mongrel dogs were randomly divided into control and captopril groups. In the former, only modified St. Thomas cardioplegia was used, and in the latter, modified St. Thomas cardioplegia and reperfusional blood containing 4.6mumol/L captopril were used. Sixty minutes after reperfusion, myocardial renin activity (MRA), angiotensin II (AII) and melondyldialdehyde (MDA) content in myocardium were measured, and the subendocardial myocardium of the left ventricle was taken for electromicroscopy.

RESULTS

The MRA in the Cp1 group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.01), while the AII and MDA content in the myocardium in the Cp1 group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.01). Electronmicroscopically, the damage of the myocardium including sarcomeres, mitochondria and microvascular endothelial cells were less obvious in the Cp1 group than that in the control. The mitochondrial average cross-section area and average volume (0.59 +/- 0.15 micron2 and 0.74 +/- 0.23 micron3) in the Cp1 group were significantly lower than those in the control (0.83 +/- 0.34 micron2, P < 0.01 and 1.1 +/- 0.4 micron3, P < 0.01). The numerical density (0.46 +/- 0.16 micron-3), specific surface of mitochondria (6.4 +/- 1.1 microns-1) and memberance density of mitochondrial cristae (21 +/- 10 microns-1) in the Cp1 group were significantly higher than those in the control (0.29 +/- 0.06 micron-3, P < 0.05, 4.8 +/- 0.8 micron-1, P < 0.01 and 15.3 +/- 2.0 microns-1, P < 0.01):

CONCLUSION

Cardioplegia and reperfusional blood containing 4.6 mumol/L captopril could effectively protect the myocardial mitochondria and microvascular endothelial cells against ischemia and reperfusion injury.

A comparison of the effects of the propofol versus midazolam during total intravenous anesthesia for gynecological surgery procedures

The effects of propofol and midazolam as an intravenous anesthetic were compared in 40 ASA I-II patients undergoing gynecological surgery during total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA). They were divided into propofol group (P n = 20) and midazolam group (M n = 20) randomly. The anesthesia was designed for each group respectively. Here, we discuss the experimental method and the results, which indicate that propofol is not only an effective anesthetic but also has more rapid and head-clear recovery properties than midazolam.