The Journal of surgical research
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Various animal models have been developed to investigate the complex mechanisms leading to intervertebral disc disorders and to evaluate the different therapeutic options. The needle puncture technique is commonly used to induce intervertebral degeneration in animal models. The present study aimed to establish a rabbit model of intervertebral disc degeneration using a simple, minimally invasive procedure. ⋯ A simple, but minimally invasive, intervertebral disc degeneration model was established successfully using computed tomography-guided percutaneous puncture technology in the rabbit. The puncture procedure can be performed with minimal damage and handling of the other structures, ensuring a uniform reproducible disc degeneration model.
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High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a critical proinflammatory factor that is closely related to mortality in sepsis patients. Dexmedetomidine has been proven to reduce the mortality rate from endotoxin shock and attenuate endotoxin-induced acute lung injury. These effects result from reduced secretion of many proinflammatory mediators, although it is not clear whether dexmedetomidine affects the secretion of HMGB1. In this study, we explored the effect of dexmedetomidine on the expression and secretion of HMGB1 from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages. ⋯ Our study demonstrates that dexmedetomidine inhibits the translocation of HMGB1 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and the expression of HMGB1 mRNA at clinically relevant dosages. The mechanism responsible for these effects may be through the NF-κB signaling pathway and the α2-adrenergic receptors.
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In the present study, we compared preservation of the hepatic artery flow during liver blood inflow occlusion with total portal triad blood flow clamping (the Pringle maneuver) to examine their effects on liver regeneration in rats after partial hepatectomy. ⋯ Our results have indicated that compared with the Pringle maneuver, clamping the portal vein while preserving the hepatic artery flow during partial hepatectomy is better for remnant liver regeneration at an early posthepatectomy stage.
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Therapeutic hypothermia has been proposed to protect organs in some diseases. However, the effect of therapeutic hypothermia on liver injury in sepsis is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of therapeutic hypothermia on liver injury in sepsis. ⋯ Therapeutic hypothermia attenuated liver injury in a polymicrobial sepsis model of rats by enhancing the Akt signaling pathway and decreasing apoptosis.
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Mechanical ventilation is a life-saving therapy for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, unphysiological lung stress (transpulmonary pressure) and strain (the ratio between inflated volume and functional residual capacity) can induce lung injury. Unfortunately, both stress and strain are not measured directly because of technical limitations but predicted from airway plateau pressure (Pplat) and tidal volume (Vt). Recently, some literatures indicated that Pplat and Vt cannot be good surrogates without distinguishing pulmonary ARDS patients (ARDSp) from extrapulmonary ARDS patients. Analyzing them together might distort the truth. Thus, we established animal models of ARDSp to explore whether lung stress and strain can be surrogated precisely by Pplat and Vt. ⋯ Pplat is an adequate surrogate for lung stress, but Vt cannot represent lung strain sufficiently.