Low-dose Simvastatin Increases Skeletal Muscle Sensitivity to Caffeine and Halothane.

Objective To determine whether the myotoxic side effects of statin simvastatin affect skeletal muscle's sensitivity to caffeine and halothane.Methods Primary cultured neonate rat skeletal myotubes were treated with 0.01-5.

Parental state anxiety correlates with preoperative anxiety in Chinese preschool children.

Aim: Preoperative anxiety in children is largely dependent on age and is influenced by anxiety level in parents. The current study compared the level of preoperative anxiety in preschool children versus school-aged children and its relationship with the state and trait anxiety of the parents.

Methods: This study included 54 preschool children (2-5 years of age) and 48 school-age children (6-12 years) scheduled to receive ear, nose and throat, plastic or ophthalmologic surgeries.

Glutaminase 1 is a potential biomarker for chronic post-surgical pain in the rat dorsal spinal cord using differential proteomics.

Chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) is a normal and significant symptom in clinical surgery, such as breast operation, biliary tract operation, cesarean operation, uterectomy and thoracic operation. Severe chronic post-surgical pain could increase post-surgical complications, including myocardial ischemia, respiratory insufficiency, pneumonia and thromboembolism. However, the underlying mechanism is still unknown.

Pheochromocytoma crisis with severe cyclic blood pressure fluctuations in a cardiac pheochromocytoma patient successfully resuscitated by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a case report.

Cardiac pheochromocytoma is relatively rare. Few reports describe the intraoperative and postoperative progression of patients experiencing a life-threatening pheochromocytoma crisis treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).A 35-year-old man was referred to our facility for paroxysmal hypertension with a 10-year history of sweating, headaches, cardiac palpitations, and postexercise dyspnea.

[Influence of different tranexamic acid administration methods during and after cardiac surgery on coagulation function and postoperative blood loss].

Objective: To evaluate the influence of different tranexamic acid administration methods during and after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) on coagulation function and postoperative bleeding.

Methods: Patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with use of CPB (n=60) were randomized in a double-blind fashion to one of two treatment groups:group A(n=30) , administered with tranexamic acid 10 mg/kg (intravenous injection slowly before skin incision) , followed by infusion of normal saline until postoperative 12 hours;and group B(n=30) , administered with tranexamic acid 10 mg/kg(intravenous injection slowly before skin incision) , followed by infusion of tranexamic acid 1 mg/(kg·h) until postoperative 12 hours. Hemoglobin, platelet count, and coagulation function were assessed before anesthesia induction, after surgery, 8am next day and 24 hours after surgery.

Perioperative smoking behavior of Chinese surgical patients.

Background: Surveys suggest that, consistent with a high smoking prevalence, Chinese smokers in the general population report little interest in quitting. In other cultures, surgery is a powerful teachable moment for smoking cessation, increasing the rate of spontaneous quitting. We determined the perioperative tobacco use behavior of Chinese patients scheduled for elective surgery who smoke cigarettes and factors associated with both preoperative intent to abstain and self-reported smoking behavior at 30 days postoperatively.

Melatonin premedication attenuates isoflurane anesthesia-induced β-amyloid generation and cholinergic dysfunction in the hippocampus of aged rats.

Melatonin plays an important role in aging and relevant neurodegeneration as an antioxidant and neuroprotector. It can interact with β-amyloid (Aβ) generation, inhibit formation of β-sheet and amyloid fibrils, modulate apoptosis, and protect cholinergic system function in Alzheimer's disease animal model. Recently, its effects on anesthetic-induced neurodegeneration have received more attention, and in this investigation, we explored whether melatonin can attenuate Aβ(1-40) generation and cholinergic dysfunction in the hippocampus of aged rats induced by isoflurane through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence.

Prevalence and risk factors of chronic post-thoracotomy pain in Chinese patients from Peking Union Medical College Hospital.

Background: In clinical practice, the mechanisms underlying chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) remain insufficiently understood. The primary goals of this study were to determine the incidence of chronic pain after thoracic surgery and to identify possible risk factors associated with the development of chronic post-thoracotomy pain in Chinese patients. The secondary goal was to determine whether the difference between pre- and post-operative white blood cell (WBC) counts could predict the prevalence of CPSP after thoracotomy.

[Analgesic effect of calpain inhibitor ALLN on the zymosan-induced paw inflammatory pain and its effect on the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in the spinal dorsal horn].

Objective: To examine the analgesic effect of calpain inhibitor ALLN on the zymosan-induced paw inflammatory pain and its effect on the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the spinal dorsal horn.

Methods: Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were equally divided into three groups: control group, sham-operated group, and zymosan group. According to Meller's method, zymosan (1.

Endogenous enkephalin does not contribute to the cerebral anti-hyperalgesic action of gabapentin.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of endogenous enkephalin in the cerebral antihyperalgesic action of gabapentin. Neuropathic pain models and antihyperalgesic effect of gabapentin were confirmed by the presentation and changes of mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia of operated mouse hind paws. The results suggested that endogenous enkephalin may not be involved in the antihyperalgesic effect of gabapentin.

[Application of propofol target controlled infusion combined with dribbled and nebulized lidocaine in tracheal intubation under spontaneous respiration].

Objective: To evaluate the value of propofol target-controlled infusion combined with dribbled and nebulized lidocaine in tracheal intubation under spontaneous breathing.

Methods: Totally 40 elective surgery patients to accept tracheal intubation under unconsciousness and spontaneous breathing were randomly divided into 2 groups: 6-8 cm of endotracheal tube was inserted subglottic ally in the complete intubation group (n=20) while 3-4 cm was inserted temporarily in the partial intubation group (n=20).

Results: The tracheal intubation was successfully completed under spontaneous breathing in all patients; meanwhile,the hemodynamic status was stable without any severe respiratory complications.

[Application of lumber plexus blockade for hip fracture repair in elderly patients].

Objective: To evaluate the lumber plexus blockade as anesthesia technique for hip fracture repair in elderly patients.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the peri-operative data of 87 hip fracture patients, aged 70 years or older, who underwent surgical repair at our hospital between 2003 and 2006. Patients were divided into three groups according the anesthesia techniques applied: general anesthesia (GA) group (n=21), epidural anesthesia (EA) group (n=37), and lumber plexus blockade (LPB) group (n=29).

Clinical features and diagnosis for Chinese cases with malignant hyperthermia: a case cluster from 2005 to 2007.

Background: Malignant hyperthermia (MH), manifesting as MH crisis during and/or after general anesthesia, is a potentially fatal disorder in response to volatile anesthetics and depolarizing muscle relaxants. Though typical features of MH episode can provide clues for clinical diagnosis, MH susceptibility is confirmed by in vitro caffeine-halothane contracture test (CHCT) in western countries. It is traditionally thought that MH has less incidence and fewer typical characteristics in Chinese population than their western counterparts because of the different genetic background.

[Effects of residual paralysis after a single intubating dose of rocuronium on postoperative pulmonary function of patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgeries].

Objective: To evaluate the residual paralysis after a single intubating dose of rocuronium and its effect of residual paralysis after a single dose of rocuronium on the postoperative pulmonary function of patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgeries.

Methods: Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I - II patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgeries were randomly divided into rocuronium (R) group (n = 30) and rocuronium + neostigmine (R + N) group (n = 30).All patients received midazolam (0.

Perioperative tobacco interventions by Chinese anesthesiologists: practices and attitudes.

Background: The prevalence of cigarette smoking in China is high. Surgery provides an excellent opportunity for patients to quit smoking, and anesthesiologists can play an important role in tobacco control. However, little is known about the practices, knowledge, and attitudes of Chinese anesthesiologists regarding perioperative tobacco interventions.

[Perioperative hemodynamics in pheochromocytoma secreting different types of catecholamine].

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of perioperative hemodynamics in pheochromocytoma secreting different types of catecholamine, and to discuss how to improve the hemodynamics.

Methods: The clinical data of 202 patients with pheochromocytoma who had received operation were analyzed. Three classification systems were used to divided the patients: they were, firstly, divided into high and low epinephrine secreting groups (E(high) and E(low)) according to the 24 hours urine catecholamine quantitation; secondly, into high and low norepinephrine secreting groups (NE(high) and NE(low)) according to 24-h urine norepinephrine quantitation; and thirdly, into high and low dopamine secreting groups (DA(high) and DA(low)) according to the 24 hours urine dopamine quantitation.

[Effects of melatonin on the voltage-gated delayed rectifier potassium channels of cultured hippocampal neurons of new-born rats].

Objective: To investigate the effects of melatonin on voltage-gated delayed rectifier potassium channels.

Methods: Hippocampus neurons were obtained from newborn Wistar rat and cultured. Primary cultured for 7 to 12 days of new-born Wistar rat were selected as objectives.

[Application of caffeine-halothane contracture test in the diagnosis of malignant hyperthermia].

Objective: To explore the application of caffeine-halothane contracture test (CHCT) in the confirmation of malignant hyperthermia (MH).

Methods: One patient who underwent radical gastrectomy presented with clinical manifestations of MH during routine intravenous-inhalation anesthesia process. Isoflurane inhalation and the operation were ceased immediately and emergency management approaches such as physical cooling therapy were taken.

Postoperative neuropsychological change and its underlying mechanism in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: The high incidence of neuropsychologic deficits after cardiac surgery, including cognitive dysfunction and mood status, has significantly influenced the prognosis, outcome of treatment and long-term quality of life of patients. With a circadian secretion pattern, melatonin and cortisol are capable of modulating the human physiological processes and neuropsychological status, whereas disorder of their secretion pattern may lead to many diseases. However, it is unclear whether neuroendocrine variations are related to the neuropsychologic status in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Malignant hyperthermia in China.

Malignant hyperthermia has rarely been reported in China. We report the first case of malignant hyperthermia, verified by caffeine-halothane contracture test and genetic testing, in a Chinese patient.

[Anesthetic management of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma].

Objective: To investigate the anesthetic management features of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma.

Methods: Twelve patients scheduled for laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma under general anesthesia were allocated into group 1, while another 12 patients who received transabdominal adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma under general anesthesia were selected as group 2. The hemodynamic changes and the postoperative recovery profiles between the two groups were compared.

Forced-air warming and fluid warming minimize core hypothermia during abdominal surgery.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of intraoperative combined forced-air warming and fluid warming system on patient's core temperature, blood loss, transfusion demand, extubation time, and incidence of postoperative shivering.

Methods: Forty patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II, aged 18-70 years, scheduled for elective abdominal surgery were randomly assigned to receive intraoperative warming from a forced-air blanket and fluid warming system or conventional cotton blanket, 20 in each group. The core temperature was recorded every 20 minutes during the operation, as well as the blood loss, blood transfusion, extubation time, and incidence of postoperative shivering.