Fixed-time synchronization for quaternion-valued memristor-based neural networks with mixed delays.

In this paper, the fixed-time synchronization (FXTSYN) of unilateral coefficients quaternion-valued memristor-based neural networks (UCQVMNNs) with mixed delays is investigated. A direct analytical approach is suggested to obtain FXTSYN of UCQVMNNs utilizing one-norm smoothness in place of decomposition. When dealing with drive-response system discontinuity issues, use the set-valued map and the differential inclusion theorem. To accomplish the control objective, innovative nonlinear controllers and the Lyapunov functions are designed. Furthermore, some criteria of FXTSYN for UCQVMNNs are given using inequality techniques and the novel FXTSYN theory. And the accurate settling time is obtained explicitly. Finally, in order to show that the obtained theoretical results are accurate, useful, and applicable, numerical simulations are presented at the conclusion.

Citrulline protects against LPS­induced acute lung injury by inhibiting ROS/NLRP3­dependent pyroptosis and apoptosis via the Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a common complication in patients with sepsis and is accompanied by high mortality. The present study aimed to investigate if the organic compound citrulline has a protective against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated ALI and its potential mechanisms. ALI was induced in mice by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of LPS (10 mg/kg). Citrulline (1 g/kg/day) was administrated i.p. 7 days prior to LPS injection. Mouse lung vascular endothelial cells (MLVECs) were divided into five groups: Control, LPS, LPS + Cit, LPS + N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and LPS + Cit + ML385. Lung injury was determined by morphology changes. Apoptosis and pyroptosis were detected using western blot analysis and immunofluorescence. The present results indicated that citrulline can significantly attenuate ALI. Citrulline pretreatment decreased the expression of NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and decreased pyroptosis and apoptosis. Intervention with the total reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine attenuated NLRP3 inflammasome-associated pyroptosis and apoptosis in LPS-treated MLVECs. Citrulline pretreatment inhibited pyroptotic cell death and apoptosis induced by LPS. Citrulline decreased accumulation of intracellular ROS and activated the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway. Furthermore, the Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 reversed ROS generation, NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis and apoptosis suppressed by citrulline. In summary, the present data demonstrated that citrulline may confer protection against ALI via inhibition of ROS/NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent pyroptosis and apoptosis via the Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Cerebral oxygen desaturation in patients with totally thoracoscopic ablation for atrial fibrillation: A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Epicardial radiofrequency ablation for stand-alone atrial fibrillation under total video-assisted thoracoscopy has gained popularity in recent years. However, severe cardiopulmonary disturbances during the surgery may affect cerebral perfusion and oxygenation. We therefore hypothesized that regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) would decrease significantly during the surgery. In addition, the influencing factors of rSO2 would be investigated. METHODS: A total of 60 patients scheduled for selective totally thoracoscopic ablation for stand-alone atrial fibrillation were enrolled in this prospective observational study. The rSO2 was monitored at baseline (T0), 15 min after anesthesia induction (T1), 15 minute after 1-lung ventilation (T2), after right pulmonary vein ablation (T3), after left pulmonary vein ablation (T4) and 15 minute after 2-lung ventilation (T5) using a near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy -based cerebral oximeter. Arterial blood gas was analyzed using an ABL 825 hemoximeter. Associations between rSO2 and hemodynamic or blood gas parameters were determined with univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses. RESULTS: The rSO2 decreased greatly from baseline 65.4% to 56.5% at T3 (P < .001). Univariate analyses showed that rSO2 correlated significantly with heart rate (r = -0.173, P = .186), mean arterial pressure (MAP, r = 0.306, P = .018), central venous pressure (r = 0.261, P = .044), arterial carbon dioxide tension (r = -0.336, P = .009), arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2, r = 0.522, P < .001), and base excess (BE, r = 0.316, P = .014). Multivariate linear regression analyses further showed that it correlated positively with PaO2 (ß = 0.456, P < .001), MAP (ß = 0.251, P = .020), and BE (ß = 0.332, P = .003). CONCLUSION: Totally thoracoscopic ablation for atrial fibrillation caused a significant decrease in rSO2. There were positive correlations between rSO2 and PaO2, MAP, and BE.

Preemptive analgesia effects of ketamine in patients undergoing surgery. A meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the preemptive analgesia effects of ketamine for postoperative pain. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involved in ketamine for preemptive analgesic up to March 2013. The relative risk (RR) or mean difference (MD) as well as the confounding 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated by the Revman 5.0 software. RESULTS: A total of five studies including 266 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, ketamine could reduce the postoperative morphine consumption and significantly prolong the time to first analgesic (p < 0.00001, MD = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.56 to 1.26). However, there was no significant difference in indicators of nausea and vomiting (p = 0.87, RR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.67 to 1.60), surgical time (p = 0.41, MD = -2.13, 95% CI: -7.21 to 2.95) and anesthetic time (p = 0.53, MD = -1.54, 95% CI: -6.34 to -3.26) between ketamine and control group. CONCLUSIONS: Ketamine was able to accomplish some preemptive analgesic effects of reducing postoperative morphine consumption and prolonging the time to first analgesic. Meanwhile, ketamine was as safe as physiological saline in side effects of nausea and vomiting.

Preemptive analgesia effects of Ketamine in patients undergoing surgery. A meta-analysis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the preemptive analgesia effects of ketamine for postoperative pain. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involved in ketamine for preemptive analgesic up to March 2013. The relative risk (RR) or mean difference (MD) as well as the confounding 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated by the Revman 5.0 software. RESULTS: A total of five studies including 266 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, ketamine could reduce the postoperative morphine consumption and significantly prolong the time to first analgesic (p < 0.00001, MD = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.56 to 1.26). However, there was no significant difference in indicators of nausea and vomiting (p = 0.87, RR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.67 to 1.60), surgical time (p = 0.41, MD = -2.13, 95% CI: -7.21 to 2.95) and anesthetic time (p = 0.53, MD = -1.54, 95% CI: -6.34 to -3.26) between ketamine and control group. CONCLUSIONS: Ketamine was able to accomplish some preemptive analgesic effects of reducing postoperative morphine consumption and prolonging the time to first analgesic. Meanwhile, ketamine was as safe as physiological saline in side effects of nausea and vomiting. .