Dexmedetomidine mitigates isoflurane-induced neurodegeneration in fetal rats during the second trimester of pregnancy

Dexmedetomidine has significant neuroprotective effects. However, whether its protective effects can reduce neurotoxicity caused by isoflurane in fetal brain during the second trimester of pregnancy remains unclear. In this study, timed-pregnancy rats at gestational day 14 spontaneously inhaled 1.5% isoflurane for 4 hours, and were intraperitoneally injected with dexmedetomidine at dosages of 5, 10, 20, and 20 μg/kg 15 minutes before inhalation and after inhalation for 2 hours. Our results demonstrate that 4 hours after inhaling isoflurane, 20 μg/kg dexmedetomidine visibly mitigated isoflurane-induced neuronal apoptosis, reversed downregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression, and lessened decreased spatial learning and memory ability in adulthood in the fetal rats. Altogether, these findings indicate that dexmedetomidine can reduce neurodegeneration induced by isoflurane in fetal rats during the second trimester of pregnancy. Further, brain-derived neurotrophic factor participates in this process.

The expression of oxidative stress genes related to myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND:We aimed to investigate the gene expression of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury(MIRI)in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)using stress and toxicity pathway gene chip technology and try to determine the underlying mechanism.METHODS:The mononuclear cells were separated by ficoll centrifugation,and plasma total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC)was determined by the ferric reducing ability of plasma(FRAP)assay.The expression of toxic oxidative stress genes was determined and verified by oligo gene chip and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).Additionally,gene ontology(GO)enrichment analysis was performed on DAVID website to analyze the potential mechanism further.RESULTS:The total numbers of white blood cells(WBC)and neutrophils(N)in the peripheral blood of STEMI patients(the AMI group)were significantly higher than those in the control group(WBC:11.67±4.85×10^(9)/L vs.6.41±0.72×10^(9)/L,P<0.05;N:9.27±4.75×10^(9)/L vs.3.89±0.81×10^(9)/L,P<0.05),and WBCs were significantly associated with creatine kinase-myocardial band(CK-MB)on the first day(Y=8.945+0.018X,P<0.05).In addition,the T-AOC was significantly lower in the AMI group comparing to the control group(12.80±1.79 U/mL vs.20.48±2.55 U/mL,P<0.05).According to the gene analysis,eight up-regulated differentially expressed genes(DEGs)included GADD45A,PRDX2,HSPD1,DNAJB1,DNAJB2,RAD50,TNFSF6,and TRADD.Four down-regulated DEGs contained CCNG1,CAT,CYP1A1,and ATM.TNFSF6 and CYP1A1 were detected by polymerase chain reaction(PCR)to verify the expression at different time points,and the results showed that TNFSF6 was up-regulated and CYP1A1 was down-regulated as the total expression.GO and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis suggested that the oxidative stress genes mediate MIRI via various ways such as unfolded protein response(UPR)and apoptosis.CONCLUSIONS:WBCs,especially neutrophils,were the critical cells that mediating reperfusion injury.MIRI was regulated by various genes,including oxidative metabolic stress,heat shock,DNA damage and repair,and apoptosis-related genes.The underlying pathway may be associated with UPR and apoptosis,which may be the novel therapeutic target.

Study on the development and usage of a cardiopulmonary resuscitation time point recorder

BACKGROUND: To invent a novel cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR) time point recorder to synchronously and automatically record the time and to identify its effectiveness in humans.METHODS: A CPR time point recorder was invented after the doctors were familiar with the traditional Utstein recovery registration mode and mastered the registration time points required. The progress of CPR was simulated. The standard and correct times were recorded, and the doctors performing the recovery collected the data about the times using our CPR time point recorder or the memory registration mode.RESULTS: The deviation times were 21.4±24.7 seconds for the memory group and 3.57±4.58 seconds for CPR time point recorder group. The deviation of times increased signifi cantly depending on the increase of the operation items in the memory group. A similar phenomenon was found in the timer group but with a smaller difference(P<0.01).CONCLUSION: A CPR time point recorder could reduce the deviation of operate-time, especially after a long-time operation, and for procedures with more operating items, compared with the memory mode. It was a more advantageous and accurate method for the Utstein registration.

Analysis of the Rainstorm Falling Zone in Guangxi during Influence Period of the 0906 Typhoon "Molave"

[ Objective] The research aimed to analyze rainstorm falling zone in Guangxi during influence period of the 0906 typhoon ＂ Molave＂. [ Method] For the heavy precipitation falling zone in southern and central parts of Guangxi after 0906 typhoon ＂ Molave＂ landed, 500 hPa circula- tion, physical quantity field, satellite cloud chart and terrain effect were analyzed. [ Result] 500 hPa subtropical high caused asymmetry of the ＂Me- lave＂ circulation, playing a key role for the strong precipitation falling zone in Guangxi. Physical quantity field analysis pointed out that after ＂ Me- lave＂ landed, water vapor convergence center was in southeast Guangxi, providing adequate moisture condition for the heavy precipitation in south- ern and central parts of Guangxi. The maximum positive vorticity center appeared at the middle and low layers in southern and central parts of Guangxi for a long time. At 200 hPa, there was a maximum divergence center. At 700 hPa, there was a maximum convergence center. High-level divergence and low-level convergence created conditions for heavy precipitation in the region. From satellite cloud chart, the heavy precipitation fall- ing zone related to asymmetric structure of the ~ Molave＂. In addition, uplifting effect of the terrain was conducive to occurrence of the large precipi- tation. [ Conclusion] The research provided reference for reduction and prevention of this kind of heavy precipitation.

Aging behavior and precipitate characterization of Zn-rich Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys with various Mg and Cu contents

Four Zn-rich Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys with different Mg and Cu contents were fabricated by spray deposition.The effects of Mg and Cu contents on the aging behaviors of the whole precipitation process of the alloys were systematically investigated.The results show that the primary precipitates in the under-aged and peak-aged alloys are GPⅡ and η'phases;no GPⅠ zones were observed.During aging,the dissolution driving force of the precipitates increases with increasing Mg content;therefore,the volume fraction of precipitates in the grain interior and the area fraction of precipitates at the grain boundary increase obviously,which contributes to a considerable improvement in yield strength and decrease in plasticity of the high Mg content alloys.Cu content has no apparent effect on the size and volume fraction of precipitates.However,a higher Cu content can effectively prevent coarsening and transformation of precipitates,which is beneficial to maintain the peak aging state of the alloys.This research provides a basis for the composition optimization of the rapid-solidified highly alloying Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys.

恋地情结:空间批评的跨学科研究

近年文学历经的"空间转向"见证了诸多新术语的出现,如第三空间、认知图绘、时空压缩、地理批评、全球化与在地化、文学地理学、文学地图学等。在此基础上建构一种广义上的"空间批评",当可首先考虑批评与理论在过去半个世纪中达成的交叉平行关系,以及由此彰显的多元化跨学科必由之途。从段义孚的"恋地情结"到塔利的"场所意识",正可见出空间批评核心概念行进地图之一斑。哲学上空间可视为一切文学和审美活动展开的一个直观形式基础。阐释上空间批评具有无限延伸的跨学科可能性。