Recognition and management of phaeochromocytoma

Phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGL) are catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumours. These tumours may be identified incidentally, as part of a work-up for multiple endocrine neoplasia or following haemodynamic surges during unrelated procedures. Advances in preoperative management and improved management of intraoperative haemodynamic instability have significantly reduced surgical mortality from around 40% to less than 3%. Surgery is the definitive treatment in most cases and laparoscopic resection where possible is associated with improved outcomes. Anaesthetic management of PPGL cases represents a unique haemodynamic challenge both before, during and after tumour resection. In this article we describe the physiology of these tumours, their diagnosis, preoperative optimization methods, intraoperative anaesthetic management and management of postoperative complications.     

A modality-specific somatosensory evoked potential test protocol for clinical evaluation: A feasibility study

ObjectiveWe aimed to establish an objective neurophysiological test protocol that can be used to assess the somatosensory nervous system.MethodsIn order to assess most fiber subtypes of the somatosensory nervous system, repetitive stimuli of seven different modalities (touch, vibration, pinprick, cold, contact heat, laser, and warmth) were synchronized with the electroencephalogram (EEG) and applied on the cheek and dorsum of the hand and dorsum of the foot in 21 healthy subjects and three polyneuropathy (PNP) patients. Latencies and amplitudes of the modalities were assessed and compared. Patients received quantitative sensory testing (QST) as reference.ResultsWe found reproducible evoked potentials recordings for touch, vibration, pinprick, contact-heat, and laser stimuli. The recording of warm-evoked potentials was challenging in young healthy subjects and not applicable in patients. Latencies were shortest within Aβ-fiber-mediated signals and longest within C-fibers. The test protocol detected function loss within the Aβ-fiber and Aδ-fiber-range in PNP patients. This function loss corresponded with QST findings.ConclusionIn this pilot study, we developed a neurophysiological test protocol that can specifically assess most of the somatosensory modalities. Despite technical challenges, initial patient data appear promising regarding a possible future clinical application.SignificanceEstablished and custom-made stimulators were combined to assess different fiber subtypes of the somatosensory nervous system using modality-specific evoked potentials.     

改良大骨瓣联合软通道微创介入逐渐减压术治疗重型颅脑损伤的疗效分析

目的：探讨改良大骨瓣联合软通道微创介入逐渐减压术治疗重型颅脑损伤的疗效。方法方便选择自2009年12月—2014年11月该院收治的重型颅脑损伤病例70例,随机分为改良组和对照组2组,每组35例,改良组施行改良大骨瓣联合软通道微创介入逐渐减压术,对照组按标准大骨瓣开颅、硬脑膜一次性全切开,对比分析两组的并发症发生率及预后。结果改良组发生迟发性颅内血肿、大面积脑梗塞及弥漫性脑肿胀等并发症9例(25.7％,9/35),预后良好者23例(65.7％,23/35),对照组发生并发症19例(54.3％,19/35),预后良好者14例(40.0％,14/35),两组并发症发生率和预后差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论改良大骨瓣联合软通道微创介入逐渐减压术治疗重型颅脑损伤,效果良好,显著降低死亡率。     

Cerebrovascular and neurological perspectives on adrenoceptor and calcium channel modulating pharmacotherapies

Adrenoceptor and calcium channel modulating medications are widely used in clinical practice for acute neurological and systemic conditions. It is generally assumed that the cerebrovascular effects of these drugs mirror that of their systemic effects – and this is reflected in how these medications are currently used in clinical practice. However, recent research suggests that there are distinct cerebrovascular-specific effects of these medications that are related to the unique characteristics of the cerebrovascular anatomy including the regional heterogeneity in density and distribution of adrenoceptor subtypes and calcium channels along the cerebrovasculature. In this review, we critically evaluate existing basic science and clinical research to discuss known and putative interactions between adrenoceptor and calcium channel modulating pharmacotherapies, the neurovascular unit, and cerebrovascular anatomy. In doing so, we provide a rationale for selecting vasoactive medications based on lesion location and lay a foundation for future investigations that will define neuroprotective paradigms of adrenoceptor and calcium channel modulating therapies to improve neurological outcomes in acute neurological and systemic disorders.     

椎弓根螺钉三椎体内固定对脊椎爆裂性骨折患者椎体与神经功能状态的影响观察

目的:探讨椎弓根螺钉三椎体内固定对脊椎爆裂性骨折患者椎体与神经功能状态的影响.方法:选取2013年7月至2015年1月于本院进行治疗的58例脊椎爆裂性骨折患者为研究对象,对其进行回顾性研究,将其根据手术方式不同分为对照组(短节段椎弓根内固定组)29例和观察组(椎弓根螺钉三椎体内固定组)29例,然后将两组患者手术前与手术后不同时间的伤椎恢复指标与血清神经功能相关指标进行比较.结果:观察组手术后不同时间的伤椎恢复指标中的后凸Cobb角、椎体平移率、椎体高度丢失率与血清神经功能相关指标中的BDNF、NSE、NGF及S100B均显著好于同期的对照组指标,并且明显好于其治疗前,均有显著性差异(P＜0.05).结论:椎弓根螺钉三椎体内固定可更为有效地恢复脊椎爆裂性骨折患者椎体参数,并且更有助于神经功能状态的恢复.     

生脉散防治心房纤颤的作用机制及网络药理学分析

目的:基于网络药理学方法探讨生脉散治疗心房纤颤的作用靶点和相关信号通路并探讨其作用机制。方法:运用中药系统药理学成分分析平台(bioinformatics analysis tool for molecular mechanism of TCM,BATMAN-TCM)数据库获取生脉散的化学成分及作用靶标基因,通过GeneCards,OMIM,DisGeNET数据库收集心房纤颤的靶标基因。将两者取交集后得到生脉散-心房纤颤靶基因交集,运用STRING构建蛋白质间相互作用网络,并将结果进行网络可视化展示。将药物-疾病交集基因导入DAVID6.8数据库,进行基因本体(gene ontology,GO)分析和基于京都基因与基因组百科全书(Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Geomes,KEGG)通路富集分析。结果:生脉散干预房颤的有效活性成分159个,药物靶点与疾病靶点交集后获得206个共有靶点,PPI蛋白互作网络分析发现AKT1,TP53,PRKACA,IL-1B,TNF,INS,PPAR,RXR,F2,CACAN1C,PKC等是生脉散治疗房颤的核心靶点。GO富集分析确定了175个条目(P0.05),其中生物过程主要心脏传导调节心率、动作电位时膜去极化等;分子功能主要包括电压门控钙通道、类固醇激素受体活性、肾上腺素结合等,在细胞组成方面,主要包括钠、钾、钙通道复合物等。KEGG通路富集分析确定了100条相关信号通路,主要有cGMP/PKG信号通路,cAMP信号通路,血清素能突触,肾素分泌,钙信号通路等。结论:生脉散治疗心房纤颤具有多途径、多靶点作用的特点。该研究初步探讨了其作用的关键靶点及涉及的生物学过程和信号通路,为生脉散治疗心房纤颤后续的实验研究提供一定的参考。     

Ligustrazine inhibits high voltage-gated Ca~(2+) and TTX-resistant Na~+ channels of primary sensory neuron and thermal nociception in the rat:a study on peripheral mechanism

Objective Ligustrazine, also named as tetramethylpyrazine, is a compound purified from Ligusticum chuanxiong hort and has ever been testified to be a calcium antagonist. The present investigation was to determine the antinoci-ceptive effect of ligustrazine and, if any, the peripheral ionic mechanism involved. Methods Paw withdrawal Latency ( PWL) to noxious heating was measured in vivo and whole-cell patch recording was performed on small dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Results Intraplantar injection of ligustrazine (0.5 mg in 25μl) significantly prolonged the withdrawal latency of ipsilateral hindpaw to noxious heating in the rat. Ligustrazine not only reversibly inhibited high-voltage gated calcium current of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuron in dose-dependent manner with IC50 of 1.89 mmol/L, but also decreased tetrodotoxin (TTX) -resistant sodium current in relatively selective and dose-dependent manner with IC50 of 2.49 mmol/L. Conclusion The results suggested that ligustrazine could elevate the threshold of thermal nociception through inhibiting the high-voltage gated calcium current and TTX-resistant sodium current of DRG neuron in the rat.     

经皮椎体后凸成形术治疗胸腰椎骨折的临床疗效观察

目的：探讨经皮椎体后凸成形术治疗胸腰段椎体压缩性骨折的临床疗效.方法：2003年6月～2005年9月收治74例胸腰段椎体压缩性骨折患者,根据手术方法不同分为A组（椎体后凸成形术组,24例）和B组（椎弓根螺钉固定组,50例）.比较两组术前术后椎体前缘、中线、后缘高度变化,疼痛视觉模拟评分（visual analogue pain scale,VAS）,手术时间,出血量等方面的差异.结果：两组对椎体高度的恢复比较无统计学意义,A组的手术时间和出血量较B组少,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）,术后VAS评分A组较B组低（P＜0.01）.结论：经皮椎体后凸成形术与椎弓根螺钉系统治疗椎体压缩性骨折具有相似效果,但经皮椎体后凸成形术具有创伤小、手术时间短、出血量少等微创优点.