Ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block enhances postoperative analgesia and recovery in thoracoscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND: The serratus anterior muscle, located in the lateral aspect of the thorax, plays a crucial role in shoulder movement and stability. Thoracoscopic surgery, while minimally invasive, often results in significant postoperative pain, complicating patient recovery and potentially extending hospital stays. Traditional anesthesia methods may not adequately address this pain, leading to increased complications such as agitation due to inadequate pain management. AIM: To evaluate the application value of ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery, focusing on its effects on postoperative analgesia and rehabilitation. METHODS: Eighty patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery between August 2021 and December 2022 were randomly divided into two groups: An observation group receiving ultrasound-guided SAPB and a control group receiving standard care without SAPB. Both groups underwent general anesthesia and were monitored for blood pressure, heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation, and pulse. The primary outcomes measured included mean arterial pressure (MAP), HR, postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain, supplemental analgesic use, and incidence of agitation. RESULTS: The observation group showed significantly lower cortisol and glucose concentrations at various time points post-operation compared to the control group, indicating reduced stress responses. Moreover, MAP and HR levels were lower in the observation group during and after surgery. VAS scores were significantly lower in the observation group at 1 h, 4 h, 6 h, and 12 h post-surgery, and the rates of analgesic supplementation and agitation were significantly reduced compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided SAPB significantly improves postoperative analgesia and reduces agitation in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery. This technique stabilizes perioperative vital signs, decreases the need for supplemental analgesics, and minimizes postoperative pain and stress responses, underscoring its high application value in enhancing patient recovery and rehabilitation post-thoracoscopy.

Dexmedetomidine Combined with Low-Dose Norepinephrine Continuous Pumping to Prevent Hypotension after Cesaresan Section: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: The aim of the study is to explore the clinical effect of dexmedetomidine combined with low-dose norepinephrine (NE) continuous pumping in preventing supine hypotension. Methods: A total of 160 puerperaes who underwent elective cesarean section were selected. The puerperaes were equally divided into S group (saline), D group (dexmedetomidine), N group (norepinephrine), and DN group (dexmedetomidine combined with norepinephrine) by a random number table method. Apgar scores and umbilical cord venous blood gas values were recorded at 1 and 5 minutes. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the age, gestational age, body mass index, bleeding volume, fluid supplement volume, Apgar scores of new borns at the 1st and 5th minute, the blood gas values of umbilical cord arterial and venous in the four groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the S group, the incidence of supine hypotension, the number of NE supplements, the supplementary doses of NE, and the incidence of adverse reactions were significantly reduced in the D, N, and DN groups after spinal anesthesia (P < 0.05). Compared with group D, the incidence of supine hypotension, the number of additional NE, additional dose of NE, and the incidence of adverse reactions in the DN group after spinal anesthesia were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Compared with the N group, the incidence of supine hypotension, the number of additional NE, the additional dose of NE, and the incidence of adverse reactions in the DN group after spinal anesthesia were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine combined with continuous pumping of low-dose norepinephrine can effectively prevent the occurrence of supine hypotension, reduce the occurrence of other adverse reactions, and have no obvious adverse effects on neonates. Registration. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (https://www.chictr.org.cn/enIndex.aspx; ChiCTR2000040979).

Identification of Nematicidal Metabolites from Purpureocillium lavendulum.

Purpureocillium lavendulum is a fungus with promising biocontrol applications. Here, transcriptome data acquired during the infection of Caenorhabditis elegans by Purpureocillium lavendulum showed that the transcription of metabolite synthesis genes was significantly up-regulated after 24 and 48 h of the fungus-nematode interaction. Then, the up-regulated transcription level of lipoxygenase was confirmed by RT-qPCR. The ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) analysis of differential metabolites revealed that this interaction resulted in the emergence of new metabolites or enhanced the production of metabolites. The results of the UPLC-MS analysis and the nematicidal assay were used to establish optimal culturing conditions under which 12 metabolites, including 3 hydroxylated C18 fatty acids and 9 steroids, were isolated and identified. Among them, hydroxylated fatty acids showed pronounced nematicidal activity against Meloidogyne incognita, and two degradative sterols showed chemotaxis activity to M. incognita. This study lays a foundation for the function of lipoxygenase and its products during the infection of Purpureocillium lavendulum.

Distribution patterns of antibiotic resistance genes and their bacterial hosts in pig farm wastewater treatment systems and soil fertilized with pig manure.

Vast reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) are discharged into the environment via pig manure. We used metagenomic analysis to follow the distribution and shifts of ARGs and their bacterial hosts along wastewater treatment in three large pig farms. The predominating ARGs potentially encoded resistance to tetracycline (28.13%), aminoglycosides (23.64%), macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin (MLS) (12.17%), sulfonamides (11.53%), multidrug (8.74%) and chloramphenicol (6.18%). The total relative ARG abundance increased along the treatment pathway prior to anaerobic digestion that had a similar degradative capacity for different ARGs and these ARGs were reduced by about 25% after digestion, but ARGs enriched erratically in manured soils. Distinctive ARG distribution patterns were found according to the three sample locations; feces, soil and wastewater and the differences were primarily due to the tetracycline ARGs (feces > wastewater > soil), sulfonamide ARGs (soil > wastewater > feces) and MLS ARGs (feces > wastewater > soil). Metagenomic assembly-based host analyses indicated the Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes were primary ARG carriers. The Streptococcaceae increased the abundance of multidrug, MLS and aminoglycoside ARGs in feces; Moraxellaceae were the primary contributors to the high abundance of multidrug ARGs in wastewater; the Comamonadaceae led to the higher abundance of bacA in wastewater and soil than feces. We found a high level of heterogeneity for both ARGs and ARG-hosts in the wastewater treatment system and in the agricultural soils for these pig farms.

Evaluating correlation between the ocular biometry and genetic variants of MYOC and ABCA1 with primary angle-closure glaucoma in a cohort from northern China.

AIM: To investigate whether the gene variants in MYOC and ABCA1 are associated with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) and axial length (AL) in samples from northern China. METHODS: The present case-control association study consisted of 500 PACG patients and 720 unrelated controls. Each participant was genotyped for eleven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MYOC and ABCA1 genes (rs12076134, rs183532, rs235875 and rs235913 in MYOC, rs2422493, rs2487042, rs2472496, rs2472493, rs2487032, rs2472459 and rs2472519 near ABCA1) using an improved multiplex ligation detection reaction (iMLDR) technique. The genetic association analyses were performed by PLINK using a logistic regression model. The association between genotypes and ocular biometric parameters was performed by SPSS using generalized estimation equation. Bonferroni corrections were implemented and the statistical power was calculated by the Power and Sample Size Calculation. RESULTS: Two SNPs rs183532 and rs235875 as well as a haplotype TTC in MYOC were nominally associated with PACG despite the significance was lost after Bonferroni correction. No association was observed between ABCA1 and PACG, neither did the association between these variants and ACD as well as AL. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests MYOC and ABCA1 do not play a part in the pathogenesis of PACG as well as the regulation of ocular biometric parameters in a northern Chinese population. Further investigations with large sample size are needed to verify this consequence.

Outcomes after Total Hip Arthroplasty Using a Cementless S-ROM Modular Stem for Patients with High Hip Dislocation Secondary to Hip Pyogenic Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the midterm results of the cementless S-ROM modular femoral stem used with subtrochanteric transverse shortening osteotomy for the treatment of high hip dislocation secondary to hip pyogenic arthritis. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 49 patients (49 hips) with an average infection quiescent period of 37.4 years who underwent cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) with simultaneous subtrochanteric transverse shortening osteotomy from July 2008 to June 2012. There were 23 men and 26 women with a mean age of 44.3 years at the time of surgery. The following clinical outcomes were evaluated: the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) score, Harris hip score (HSS), modified Merle d'Aubigne-Postel hip (MAP) score, low back pain visual analog scale score, 12-item short-form health survey questionnaire score, limp, and Trendelenburg sign. Radiographic outcomes and complications were also evaluated. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 8.7 years (range, 5.5-10 years). No infection recurrence was observed after THA. The average HSS significantly improved from 45.0 to 84.8. The WOMAC score improved from 70.1 ± 3.5 (range, 65-76) to 43.1 ± 13.4 (range, 21-67). The modified MAP score improved from 5.9 ± 1.9 (range, 3-9) to 14.3 ± 2.4 (range, 11-18). The low back pain visual analog scale score, 12-item short-form health survey questionnaire score, limp, and Trendelenburg sign also improved significantly. The average limb length discrepancy decreased from 39.6 mm (range, 30-55 mm) to 7.2 mm (range, 0-22 mm). Two patients had temporary sciatic nerve paralysis but recovered within 6 months without any functional defects; one had an intraoperative fracture fixed by cerclage wires. One hip required revision surgery because of femoral stem aseptic loosening. CONCLUSIONS: The cementless S-ROM modular femoral stem used with subtrochanteric transverse shortening osteotomy is safe and effective for high hip dislocation secondary to pyogenic arthritis and provides satisfactory midterm results. Significant improvements in clinical function were observed, as were high rates of stable fixation of the cementless implant, restoration of more normal limb lengths, and a low incidence of complications.

Fluorescent Chemosensor for Dual-Channel Discrimination between Phosgene and Triphosgene.

As highly toxic and accessible chemical reagents, phosgene and triphosgene have become a serious threat to public safety. So, it is highly desirable to develop facile methods to detect and recognize them. In this article, a novel fluorescent chemosensor, Phos-4, has been constructed with 1,8-naphthalimide as the fluorophore and 2-(2-aminophenyl)imidazol as the recognition sites for discrimination between phosgene and triphosgene in a dual-channel mode for the first time. Owing to the difference in electrophilicity between chlorocarbonyl and trichloromethoxycarbonyl, the sensing reaction of Phos-4 with phosgene undergoes two carbamylations to afford a cyclic product with green fluorescence, and only one carbamylation occurs for triphosgene to form a noncyclic product with blue fluorescence. The sensor Phos-4 exhibits high sensitivity (the limit of detection, 3.2 nM, for phosgene, and 1.9 nM, for triphosgene) and high selectivity in solutions. Furthermore, facile test papers containing Phos-4-embedded nanofibrous membrane have been fabricated by the electrospinning technology. The test papers can provide visual and selective detection of phosgene with a lower limit of detection (42 ppb) and a faster response (≤10 s) in the gas phase over those in solutions. The test paper with Phos-4 is promising to be a practical detection tool of gaseous phosgene.

Sensitive and Selective Detection of Phosgene, Diphosgene, and Triphosgene by a 3,4-Diaminonaphthalimide in Solutions and the Gas Phase.

Phosgene and its substitutes, diphosgene and triphosgene, are highly toxic and widely used chemicals, so it is necessary to investigate their reactivity and develop facile, sensitive, and specific methods for detecting them. In this work, we have developed a new 1,8-naphthalimide-based fluorescent chemosensor, Phos-2, which exhibits high sensitivity (detection limits: 0.2-0.7 nm), high selectivity to phosgene and its substitutes over nitric oxide (NO), various acyl chlorides, and nerve agent mimics in solutions. Based on investigation of the reaction kinetics of Phos-2 with phosgene and its substitutes, a two-step sensing mechanism was clarified. The second-order rate constants (k2 ) of Phos-2 reveal that the relative rate constants of phosgene, diphosgene, and triphosgene are 40:4:1. Moreover, a Phos-2 test paper has been fabricated as a low-cost, sensitive (≈5 ppm from observation by the naked eye or 0.1 ppm from a measurement), and efficient method for visual detection of a low concentration of phosgene in the gas phase.

A ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor for selective and visual detection of phosgene in solutions and in the gas phase.

A ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor, Phos-1, was constructed with 4,5-diaminonaphthalimide as a fluorophore for selective and visual detection of phosgene. The sensing mechanism was demonstrated to be the phosgene molecule acylating both amine groups of Phos-1. A test paper with Phos-1 was fabricated for facile, selective and visual detection of phosgene gas.

A novel modified laryngeal mask airway allowing full separation of the digestive and respiratory tracts, along with double-catheter ventilation, diagnosis, and treatment.

The aim of this study was to design a novel, modified, multifunctional, and safe laryngeal mask airway (LMA). We designed an LMA with an internal catheter extending beyond the tip of the cuff. The protruding end of the internal catheter was provided with a catheter cuff, the space between the internal and external catheters was ventilatory, and the inlet ends of the 2 catheters were provided with standard connectors. We found that this design prevented reflux or aspiration of gastric content into the airway, prevented LMA dislocation, allowed ventilation through both the internal and external catheters, and allowed endoscopic examination and treatment of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts through both the internal and external catheters. This design overcomes the drawbacks and extends the functions of previous LMAs, offering a new approach to the development of LMAs.

Identification of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) microRNAs and microRNA-related SNPs.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) exist pervasively across viruses, plants and animals and play important roles in the post-transcriptional regulation of genes. In the common carp, miRNA targets have not been investigated. In model species, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been reported to impair or enhance miRNA regulation as well as to alter miRNA biogenesis. SNPs are often associated with diseases or traits. To date, no studies into the effects of SNPs on miRNA biogenesis and regulation in the common carp have been reported. RESULTS: Using homology-based prediction combined with small RNA sequencing, we have identified 113 common carp mature miRNAs, including 92 conserved miRNAs and 21 common carp specific miRNAs. The conserved miRNAs had significantly higher expression levels than the specific miRNAs. The miRNAs were clustered into three phylogenetic groups. Totally 394 potential miRNA binding sites in 206 target mRNAs were predicted for 83 miRNAs. We identified 13 SNPs in the miRNA precursors. Among them, nine SNPs had the potential to either increase or decrease the energy of the predicted secondary structures of the precursors. Further, two SNPs in the 3' untranslated regions of target genes were predicted to either disturb or create miRNA-target interactions. CONCLUSIONS: The common carp miRNAs and their target genes reported here will help further our understanding of the role of miRNAs in gene regulation. The analysis of the miRNA-related SNPs and their effects provided insights into the effects of SNPs on miRNA biogenesis and function. The resource data generated in this study will help advance the study of miRNA function and phenotype-associated miRNA identification.

[Raman Lidar measuring tropospheric temperature profiles with many rotational Raman lines].

Due to lower tropospheric aerosols, the Rayleigh and vibrational Raman methods can't measure lower tropospheric temperature profiles accurately. By using N2 and O2 molecular pure rotational Raman scattering signals, lower tropospheric temperature profiles can be gained without influence of lower tropospheric aerosols. So we decide to use a pure rotational Raman Lidar to get lower tropospheric temperature profiles. At present, because the most light-splitting systems of pure rotational Raman Lidar measure temperature by gaining a single rotational Raman line, the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of these Lidar systems are very low. So we design a new kind of Lidar light-splitting system which can sum different rotational Raman lines and it can improve SNR And we can find the sensitivity of the temperature of the ratios of multi rotational Raman lines is as same as single rotational Raman line's through theoretical analysis. Moreover, we can obtain the temperature profiles with good SNR fromthis new the system with a normal laser and a small telescope up to several kilometers. At last, with the new light-splitting system, the lower tropospheric temperature profiles are measured from 0.3 km to 5 km altitude. They agree well with radiosonde observations, which demonstrate the results of our rotational Raman lidar are reasonable.

[Measurement of atmospheric boundary layer pollutants by mobile lidar in Beijing].

The parameters of AML-2 mobile lidar were introduced, which was based on differential absorption principle and designed by our institute. In Yufa of Beijing, the pollutants including O3, NO2, SO2 in atmospheric boundary layer were monitored in August and September of 2006 under different weather conditions. Vertical profile and diurnal variation of concentrations of these pollutants were analyzed. If without the influence of pollution air transport from south region, the concentrations of these pollutants are low under the overcast weather condition. The concentrations of O3 and NO2 decrease with altitude, and this characteristic is not obvious for SO2, but there is a high concentration layer of SO2 near ground (about 0.6km). The quality of atmosphere Beijing is influenced significantly by air transportation from south region, and the altitude of the severe pollution air transport is about 1km to 1.5km in August 23rd to 25th. As a result, the characteristics of vertical profile and daily variation of the pollutants are changed, and the concentrations of O3, NO2, SO2 in atmospheric boundary layer of Yufa area increased obviously.

[Obtaining aerosol backscattering coefficient using pure rotational Raman spectrum].

Atmospheric aerosol backscattering coefficient ratio can be obtained with the ratio of elastic signal to the total rotational Raman backscattering signal without assuming the ratio of aerosol extinction to backscatter. Generally, the intensity ofpartial rotational Raman spectrum lines instead of the total rotational Raman spectrum lines is measured. The intensity of the total rotational Raman spectrum lines is not dependent on the temperature, but the intensity of the partialrotational Raman spectrumlines is dependent on the temperature. So calculating aerosol backscattering coefficient ratio with the intensity of the partial rotational Raman spectrum lines would lead to an error. In the present paper, the change in the intensity sums of different rotational Raman spectrum lines with temperature was simulated and the errors of aerosol backscattering coefficient ratio derived from them were discussed. A new method was presented for measuring aerosol backscattering coefficient ratio, which needed not to measure the intensity of the total rotational Raman spectrum lines. Aerosol backscattering coefficient ratio could be obtained with the atmospheric temperature and a single rotational Raman spectrum line. Finally, a erosol backscattering coefficient ratio profiles of the atmosphere were acquired with the combined Raman lidar of our lab. The results show that there is no need to assume any relation between aerosol backscattering and extinction or to consider any wavelength calibration to determine the aerosol scattering coefficient.