Effect of dexmedetomidine on perioperative haemodynamics and early cognitive function in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery.

Introduction: Laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery has been widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of gynaecological diseases.

Aim: To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine on perioperative haemodynamics and cognitive function in elderly gynaecological patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery.

Material And Methods: Clinical baseline characteristics, haemodynamic parameters, renin activity, norepinephrine level, cognitive function, pain level, and sedation were compared between the 2 groups.

Long Non-Coding RNA SNHG6 Supports Glioma Progression Through Upregulation of Notch1, Sox2, and EMT.

Gliomas, particularly the advanced grade glioblastomas, have poor 5-year survival rates and worse outcomes. lncRNAs and EMT have been extensively studied in gliomas but the disease progression remains poorly understood. SNHG6 has been shown to affect glioma cell proliferation but its effect on EMT of glioma cells along with its effect on disease progression is not known.

Associations among sexuality-related factors, recent two-week morbidity and annual hospitalization in female migrant workers: a cross-sectional study in southern China.

To explore the influence of sexuality-related factors on recent two-week morbidity and annual hospitalization in female migrant workers, 880 Chinese rural-to-urban female migrant workers aged 16-57 years were studied. Clustered logistic regression analyses revealed that women who never or seldom experienced lubrication difficulties had a lower risk of recent two-week morbidity (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.

Delayed treatment of α5 GABAA receptor inverse agonist improves functional recovery by enhancing neurogenesis after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat MCAO model.

Development of effective therapeutics and treatment strategy to promote recovery after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury necessitates further understandings of the complex pathophysiology of ischemic stroke. Given that α5-GABAR inhibition has been shown to be involved in functional recovery after stroke, the present study was designed to evaluate the effects of treatment timing of α5 GABAR inhibition on post-middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) functional recovery. To this end, we examined the effects of L655,708 (α5 GABAR inverse agonist) treatment at 3 or 7 days post-ischemia on apoptosis and neurogenesis in the peri-infarct region, brain infarction size, as well as modified neurological severity score (mNSS) and rotarod test time in rats.

Association between obesity and sickness in the past two weeks among middle-aged and elderly women: A cross-sectional study in Southern China.

Objectives: Sickness situation in the past two weeks, an indicator of health service needs, is an increasing major health concern. However, data on the relationship between obesity and two-week morbidity in the female population, particularly in middle-aged and elderly women, is sparse. The present study aimed to examine the association between obesity and two-week morbidity among middle-aged and elderly women in Southern China, and to explore the independent contributions of socio-demographic variables, health-related factors, and obesity to two-week morbidity.

The association between obesity indices and hypertension: Which index is the most notable indicator of hypertension in different age groups stratified by sex?

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the most notable obesity index and its optimal cut-off point of hypertension in different age groups stratified by sexes among community residents in southern China.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 620 men and 631 women aged 18-59 years were enrolled. The independent-samples t-test and chi-square test were conducted to analyze continuous and categorical variables, respectively.

Functional status and annual hospitalization in multimorbid and non-multimorbid older adults: a cross-sectional study in Southern China.

Background: Hospitalization over the last one year, an indicator of health service utilization, is an important and costly resource in older adult care. However, data on the relationship between functional status and annual hospitalization among older Chinese people are sparse, particularly for those with and without multimorbidity. In this study,we aimed to examine the association between functional status and annual hospitalization among community-dwelling older adults in Southern China, and to explore the independent contributions of socio-demographic variables, lifestyle and health-related factors and functional status to hospitalization in multimorbid and non-multimorbid groups.

Association of erythrocyte parameters with metabolic syndrome in the Pearl River Delta region of China: a cross sectional study.

Objective: Increasing studies have reported that erythrocyte parameters, including red blood cells (RBCs), haematocrit (HCT), haemoglobin (Hb) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW), are associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adults worldwide. However, the association, stratified by sex, remains to be elucidated, particularly in the Pearl River Delta region of China. Therefore, our aim was to explore the association of erythrocyte parameters with MetS, stratified by sex, in the Pearl River Delta region of China.

Clear cell hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed by bile duct brushing cytology.

Clear cell hepatocellular carcinoma (CCHCC) is an uncommon morphologic variant of HCC and rarely invades into the main bile ducts. Here we describe a case of CCHCC that was diagnosed by bile duct brushing cytology. Liquid-based preparation of brushing specimen showed clusters of atypical epithelial cells with abundant clear cytoplasm, round nuclei, and occasional intranuclear inclusions.

Sensitivity of cloned muscle, heart and neuronal voltage-gated sodium channels to block by polyamines: a possible basis for modulation of excitability in vivo.

Spermidine and spermine, are endogenous polyamines (PAs) that regulate cell growth and modulate the activity of numerous ion channel proteins. In particular, intracellular PAs are potent blockers of many different cation channels and are responsible for strong suppression of outward K (+) current, a phenomenon known as inward rectification characteristic of a major class of KIR K (+) channels. We previously described block of heterologously expressed voltage-gated Na (+) channels (NaV) of rat muscle by intracellular PAs and PAs have recently been found to modulate excitability of brain neocortical neurons by blocking neuronal NaV channels.

Vasopressin and oxytocin excite MCH neurons, but not other lateral hypothalamic GABA neurons.

Neurons that synthesize melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) colocalize GABA, regulate energy homeostasis, modulate water intake, and influence anxiety, stress, and social interaction. Similarly, vasopressin and oxytocin can influence the same behaviors and states, suggesting that these neuropeptides may exert part of their effect by modulating MCH neurons. Using whole cell recording in MCH-green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mouse hypothalamic brain slices, we found that both vasopressin and oxytocin evoked a substantial excitatory effect.

Kisspeptin directly excites anorexigenic proopiomelanocortin neurons but inhibits orexigenic neuropeptide Y cells by an indirect synaptic mechanism.

The neuropeptide kisspeptin is necessary for reproduction, fertility, and puberty. Here, we show strong kisspeptin innervation of hypothalamic anorexigenic proopiomelanocortin (POMC) cells, coupled with a robust direct excitatory response by POMC neurons (n > 200) to kisspeptin, mediated by mechanisms based on activation of a sodium/calcium exchanger and possibly opening of nonselective cation channels. The excitatory actions of kisspeptin on POMC cells were corroborated with quantitative PCR data showing kisspeptin receptor GPR54 expression in the arcuate nucleus, and the attenuation of excitation by the selective kisspeptin receptor antagonist, peptide 234.

Neuromedin B and gastrin-releasing peptide excite arcuate nucleus neuropeptide Y neurons in a novel transgenic mouse expressing strong Renilla green fluorescent protein in NPY neurons.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is one of the most widespread neuropeptides in the brain. Transgenic mice were generated that expressed bright Renilla green fluorescent protein (GFP) in most or all of the known NPY cells in the brain, which otherwise were not identifiable. GFP expression in NPY cells was confirmed with immunocytochemistry and single-cell reverse transcription-PCR.

Agouti-related peptide and MC3/4 receptor agonists both inhibit excitatory hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus neurons.

Anorexigenic melanocortins decrease food intake by activating MC3/MC4 receptors (MC3/4R); the prevailing view is that the orexigenic neuropeptide agouti-related peptide (AgRP) exerts the opposite action by acting as an antagonist at MC3/MC4 receptors. A total of 370 hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus (VMH) glutamatergic neurons was studied using whole-cell recording in hypothalamic slices from a novel mouse expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under control of the vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (vGluT2) promoter. Massive numbers of GFP-expressing VMH dendrites extended out of the core of the nucleus into the surrounding cell-poor shell.

Vasopressin increases locomotion through a V1a receptor in orexin/hypocretin neurons: implications for water homeostasis.

Water homeostasis is a critical challenge to survival for land mammals. Mice display increased locomotor activity when dehydrated, a behavior that improves the likelihood of locating new sources of water and simultaneously places additional demands on compromised hydration levels. The neurophysiology underlying this well known behavior has not been previously elucidated.

GABA excitation in mouse hilar neuropeptide Y neurons.

Neuropeptide Y-containing interneurons in the dentate hilar area play an important role in inhibiting the activity of hippocampal circuitry. Hilar cells are often among the first lost in hippocampal epilepsy. As many types of neurons are found in the hilus, we used a new transgenic mouse expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) in a subset of neurons that colocalized neuropeptide Y (NPY), somatostatin (SST), and GABA for whole-cell, perforated, and cell-attached recording in 240 neurons.

A novel Syk kinase-selective inhibitor blocks antigen presentation of immune complexes in dendritic cells.

The initiation of antigen presentation by dendritic cells requires proper internalization of antigens through various mechanisms. Internalization of immune complexes via Fc receptors has been shown to be around 100 times more efficient than the internalization of non-complexed antigens. Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) plays an essential role in the signaling cascade initiated by immunoglobulin receptors.

Neuropeptide Y inhibits hypocretin/orexin neurons by multiple presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms: tonic depression of the hypothalamic arousal system.

Neurons that release neuropeptide Y (NPY) have important effects on hypothalamic homeostatic regulation, including energy homeostasis, and innervate hypocretin neurons. Using whole-cell patch-clamp recording, we explored NPY actions on hypocretin cells identified by selective green fluorescent protein expression in mouse hypothalamic slices. NPY reduced spike frequency and hyperpolarized the membrane potential of hypocretin neurons.

Inhibitory effects of berberine on ion channels of rat hepatocytes.

Aim: To examine the effects of berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid with a long history used as a tonic remedy for liver and heart, on ion channels of isolated rat hepatocytes.

Methods: Tight-seal whole-cell patch-clamp techniques were performed to investigate the effects of berberine on the delayed outward potassium currents (I(K)), inward rectifier potassium currents (I(K1)) and Ca(2+) release-activated Ca(2+) currents (I(CRAC)) in enzymatically isolated rat hepatocytes.

Results: Berberine 1-300 micromol/L reduced I(K) in a concentration-dependent manner with EC(50) of 38.

Effects of berberine on potassium currents in acutely isolated CA1 pyramidal neurons of rat hippocampus.

The effects of berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid with antiarrhythmic action, on voltage-dependent potassium currents were studied in acutely isolated CA1 pyramidal neurons of rat hippocampus by using the whole-cell patch-clamp techniques. Berberine blocked transient outward potassium current (IA) and delayed rectifier potassium current (IK) in a concentration-dependent manner with EC50 of 22.94+/-4.

Electrophysiological effects of anthopleurin-Q on rat hepatocytes.

Aim: To study the effects of AP-Q on CCl(4)-induced acute liver injury, delayed outward potassium current (I(K)), inward rectifier potassium current (I(K1)) and calcium release-activated calcium current (I(CRAC)) in isolated rat hepatocytes.

Methods: A single dose of CCl(4) (10 microg/mL, ip) was injected to induce acute liver injury in rats. Serum aminotransferase activities were determined.

Perforated patch recording of L-type calcium current with beta-escin in guinea pig ventricular myocytes.

Aim: To establish a perforated patch recording (PPR) mode with beta-escin and compare L-type calcium current (I(Ca,L)) recorded under PPR and normal whole-cell recording (WCR) condition in isolated guinea-pig ventricular myocytes.

Methods: Single myocytes were dissociated by enzymatic dissociation method. beta-escin was added to the pipette solution to perforate the cell membrane and obtain PPR mode.

The orally available spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor 2-[7-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-imidazo[1,2-c]pyrimidin-5-ylamino]nicotinamide dihydrochloride (BAY 61-3606) blocks antigen-induced airway inflammation in rodents.

Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) tyrosine kinase plays essential roles in receptors for Fc portion of immunoglobulins and B cell receptor complex signaling in various inflammatory cells; therefore, inhibitors of Syk kinase may show potential as antiasthmatic/allergic therapeutics. We identified 2-[7-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-imidazo[1,2-c]pyrimidin-5-ylamino]-nicotinamide dihydrochloride (BAY 61-3606), a potent (Ki = 7.5 nM) and selective inhibitor of Syk kinase.

Effects of benzyltetrahydropalmatine on two components of the delayed rectifier K+ current in Guinea pig ventricular myocytes.

The effects of benzyltetrahydropalmatine (BTHP), a new class III antiarrhythmic agent, on the action potential in guinea pig papillary muscle and the rapidly activating component (I(Kr)) and the slowly activating component (I(Ks)) of the delayed rectifier potassium current (I(K)) in isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes were investigated. The action potentials of papillary muscles were studied using a standard microelectrode technique, while the K(+) currents were recorded using the whole-cell patch clamp technique. The results showed that BTHP prolonged the action potential duration (APD) without altering other variables of the action potential in guinea pig papillary muscles.