Brachial plexus block using only 1% lidocaine to reduce pain during the endovascular treatment of dysfunctional arteriovenous access.

BACKGROUND: Interventional endovascular treatments of dysfunctional arteriovenous (AV) access for hemodialysis can cause pain and discomfort to the patients. Ultrasound-guided brachial plexus block (BPB) is an alternative regional anesthesia method, but conventional BPB using ropivacaine or bupivacaine may cause long-lasting motor power loss, significantly reducing patient satisfaction. This study aimed to introduce BPB using only 1% lidocaine, which induces sensory loss while minimizing motor block, and evaluate the efficacy and safety of this procedure. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted on 277 consecutive patients with dysfunctional AV access requiring percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Of these, 174 patients underwent the BPB procedure using 1% lidocaine. Time data were recorded, and the motor strength grade (MRC scale, grade 0-5) was evaluated. Numeric rating pain score (NRPS, grade 0-10) was asked during every PTA, and overall NRPS and satisfaction scores (scale 1-3) were asked after the procedure was completed. RESULTS: Of the 174 patients who received BPB, the success rate was 100%, and there were no significant complications related to BPB. The MRC scale measured at the time when the complete sensory loss was achieved was 1.99 ± 0.63, and that at the point of sensory recovery when the block effect expired was 3.93 ± 0.62, indicating a good grade of motor strength. The average NRPS during PTA in the BPB group was significantly lower than that of the control group without BPB (1.04 ± 2.04vs 6.30 ± 2.71, p < 0.001). The overall satisfaction score was significantly higher in the BPB group than in the control group (2.79 ± 0.50vs 2.00 ± 0.81, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: BPB using only 1% lidocaine can induce a sensory block while minimizing the effect on motor function. It can be applied safely in an outpatient clinic setting with relatively higher satisfaction.

Enhanced sensitivity of fluorescence-based Fe(ii) detection by freezing.

The first example of combining the fluorescent probe-based freeze concentration effect with N-oxide chemistry is reported for the highly sensitive and selective detection of ferrous ion (Fe(ii)). Interestingly, our preliminary results demonstrated that the fluorescence intensity of Fe(ii) was markedly enhanced upon freezing, and the location of Fe(ii) in the freezing state was visualized by confocal microscopy using a cryostage.

A biotin-guided formaldehyde sensor selectively detecting endogenous concentrations in cancerous cells and tissues.

A biotin appended formaldehyde sensor was found to specifically visualise both exogenous and endogenous levels of formaldehyde in biotin receptor positive cells over biotin negative cells by means of one- and two-photon excitation. The probe furthermore visualised endogenous levels of formaldehyde in tumour tissue slices up to 70 µm depth.

BODIPY-Coumarin Conjugate as an Endoplasmic Reticulum Membrane Fluidity Sensor and Its Application to ER Stress Models.

An endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane-selective chemosensor composed of BODIPY and coumarin moieties and a long alkyl chain (n-C18) was synthesized. The emission ratio of BODIPY to coumarin depends on the solution viscosity. The probe is localized to the ER membrane and was applied to reveal the reduced ER membrane fluidity under ER stress conditions.

Highly selective two-photon imaging of cysteine in cancerous cells and tissues.

Abnormal concentrations of Cys have been reported to be implicated in various health problems, including cancer, neuropathy, and cardiomyopathy. We present a novel two-photon fluorescent probe for the specific recognition of cysteine over homocysteine and glutathione, and the bioapplication of this probe for the imaging of live cancerous cells and thick tissues.

Detection of Aß plaques in mouse brain by using a disaggregation-induced fluorescence-enhancing probe.

We herein report a fluorescence probe 1 capable of detecting water-soluble oligomeric Aß aggregates and Aß fibrils. Upon injection into Aß42-challenged mouse brains, probe 1 shows increased fluorescence intensity, indicating its facile binding to extracellular Aß fibrils in brain tissues.

Organelle-selective fluorescent Cu2+ ion probes: revealing the endoplasmic reticulum as a reservoir for Cu-overloading.

Two novel Cu(2+) sensors, 1 and 2, bearing naphthalimide and a DPA moiety were synthesized to study copper accumulation in organelles by selective Cu(2+) sensing. The ER-selective Cu(2+) sensor 1 that we developed serves as a valuable tool for understanding the subcellular compartmentalization and roles of copper ions in physiology and pathophysiology.