Effect of ultrasound-guided pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block on pain during patient positioning for central nervous blockade in hip surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Most patients with hip fractures are elderly patients with comorbidities, and well-managed pain management is associated with positive postoperative outcomes. In recent years, new indications for regional anesthesia techniques have been defined, and they have found more place in clinical practice. Herein we investigate the effect of US-guided PENG block on positioning pain and compare that effect to intravenous opioid in patients undergoing surgery under spinal anesthesia for hip fractures. Additionally, we sought to investigate the effect of PENG block on pain scores, opioid intake, time to first analgesic requirement, and quality of recovery within the first 24 h following surgery. METHODS: In this study, patients were divided into the PENG (n = 42) and control group (n = 42) one hour prior to surgery. A team who was blinded to the assigned groups, collected and evaluated all data such as spinal anesthesia positioning pain, postoperative pain, opioid requirement. RESULTS: Patients that underwent PENG had statistically significantly lower NRS scores after interventions, immediately before positioning, at positioning and at end of spinal anesthesia. Pain scores during positioning for spinal anesthesia were statistically significantly lower in the PENG group than in the control group (p < 0.001). Total morphine use over the first 24 h was extremely statistically significantly lower in the PENG group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Positive outcomes of PENG block in patient positioning pain before spinal anesthesia, postoperative pain scores, and morphine consumption are consistent with similar studies. High patient satisfaction in patients who underwent PENG block contributes to the literature. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04871061.

Determination of the ecological status of an Aegean river (Türkiye) using benthic macroinvertebrates as an indicator of water quality.

Bakirçay is one of the important rivers of Western Anatolia, Türkiye. The objectives of this study are (a) to determine the diversity of benthic invertebrates distributed in Bakirçay, (b) to evaluate the obtained data using various biological indices, (c) to determine the interactions of species with environmental variables, and (d) to estimate the water quality level of the river using BMWP and ASPT analyses. Samplings were carried out at 15 stations between October 2017 and July 2018, seasonally. A total of 11,897 specimens belonging to 136 benthic macroinvertebrate taxa were determined. Diptera and Oligochaeta were the dominant groups with 32 (24%) and 25 taxa (18%), respectively. Station 4 has the highest species richness with 49 taxa (36%). The highest individual number (3421) was at the 14th station. Tubifex tubifex and Physella acuta have the highest dominancy (25.76%) and frequency (51.67) values, respectively. Diversity (H') values of the stations fluctuated between 1.367 (st. 13) and 3.154 (st. 12). Similarity analysis showed that the 3rd and 11th stations have the highest similarity (> 90%), while the 14th station was an outgroup and has 28% similarity ratio. BMWP and ASPT scores gave similar results, and there was no 1st class water quality in the river. On the other hand, the results of the TR-BMWP score suggested that the 1st, 4th, and 6th stations had 1st class water quality. Although some stations are classified as "good conditions," the adverse effects of pollution were mainly observed in the main channel and downstream of the river.

Checklist of the Family Chironomidae (Order: Diptera) from Turkey.

The current study presents a comprehensive taxonomic list of the Chironomidae family in Turkey. The research involved an extensive literature review, resulting in the hierarchical classification of 7 out of the 11 subfamilies. The checklist encompasses 408 chironomid taxa belonging to 128 genera. Among these, 5 are classified at the genus level, while 364 are classified at the species level. Furthermore, 17 taxa have been identified as nomen dubium, and 22 taxa have been categorized as species inquirenda. Excluding the n. dub. and sp. inq., the subfamilies contribute the following number of species: Telmatogetoninae (1 species), Podonominae (1 species), Tanypodinae (40 species), Diamesinae (15 species), Prodiamesinae (2 species), Orthocladinae (172 species), and Chironominae (133 species). This checklist serves as a valuable resource for future studies on Chironomidae biodiversity and ecological research in Turkey.

Quality of Life and Psychological Well-Being in Children and Adolescents After Renal Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Kidney transplantation is the predominant treatment option in patients with end-stage renal disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the presence of a psychiatric disorder on the quality of life in children and adolescents after kidney transplantation. METHODS: A total of 43 patients aged 6 to 18 years were included in the study. All participants and their parents were asked to complete the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), and families only, the Strengths and Challenges Questionnaire. Psychiatric symptoms and disorders of the patients were evaluated according to the Schedule for Mood Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children/Now and Lifetime Turkish Version. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to psychiatric symptoms and disorders. RESULTS: The most common psychiatric disorder was attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (26%). The questionnaires filled out by the patients revealed a lower Total PedsQL Score (P = .003), PedsQL Physical Functionality Score (P = .019), and PedsQL Social Functioning Score (P = .016) in patients with psychiatric disorders. When the parents filled out the questionnaires, the Total PedsQL Score was similar in both groups. The PedsQL Emotional Functionality Score (P = .001) and PedsQL School Functionality Score (P = .004) were significantly lower in patients with psychiatric disorders. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire revealed significantly higher total (P = .014) and hyperactivity/inattention subscale scores (P = .001) in those with a psychiatric disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatric disorders in kidney transplant patients adversely affect the quality of life.