Prenatal exposure to air pollutants and the risk of congenital heart disease: a Korean national health insurance database-based study.

Air pollution and heavy metal exposure are emerging public health concerns. Prenatal exposure to air pollutants and heavy metals has been implicated in the development of congenital heart disease (CHD). However, the relationship between exposure to airborne heavy metals and CHD has not yet been investigated. Therefore, in this large population-based study, we investigated the association between air pollutants, including airborne heavy metals, and the risk of CHD using national health insurance claims data from South Korea. Data regarding 1,129,442 newborns and their mothers were matched with air pollutant levels during the first 8 weeks of gestation. In the five-air pollutant model, we found significant positive correlations between prenatal exposure to sulfur dioxide (SO2; odds ratio [OR] 6.843, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.746-8.149) and cadmium (Cd; OR 1.513, 95% CI 1.187-1.930) and the risk of ventricular septal defects in newborns. This study highlights the association between prenatal exposure to air pollutants, including airborne heavy metals, and an elevated CHD risk. Further research is essential to validate and expand these findings, with the ultimate goal of enhancing public health outcomes.

Effect of Nefopam on Dysesthesia, Postoperative Pain, and Satisfaction in Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Undergoing Spine Surgery: A Double-Blind, Randomized Study.

Postoperative residual pain and dysesthesia in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) can reduce patient satisfaction. We investigated the effects of nefopam on dysesthesia, postoperative pain, and satisfaction in patients with LSS who underwent spine surgery. A total of 73 patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the nefopam group (n = 35), receiving a 20 mL normal saline-based solution containing nefopam 20 mg, and the control group (n = 38), which received 20 mL of normal saline 1 h before the end of the operation. Postoperative incisional pain, dysesthesia scores, and overall satisfaction with postoperative pain management were evaluated. The severity of dysesthesia within 12 and 24 h in the nefopam group was significantly lower than that in the control group (2.3 ± 1.9 and 1.7 ± 1.6 vs. 3.3 ± 2.1, and 2.6 ± 1.9, respectively; p = 0.029 and p = 0.048). Satisfaction scores for postoperative pain management were significantly higher in the nefopam group (3.7 ± 0.6 vs. 3.1 ± 1.0, respectively; p = 0.006). The administration of nefopam effectively reduced the severity of dysesthesia within 24 h of surgery in geriatric patients undergoing spine surgery and increased patient satisfaction with postoperative pain management.

The Effect of Maternal Exposure to Air Pollutants and Heavy Metals during Pregnancy on the Risk of Neurological Disorders Using the National Health Insurance Claims Data of South Korea.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of high levels of maternal exposure to ambient air pollution and heavy metals on risks of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and epilepsy using the National Health Insurance claims data of South Korea. The data of mothers and their newborns from 2016 to 2018 provided by the National Health Insurance Service were used (n = 843,134). Data on exposure to ambient air pollutants (PM2.5, CO, SO2, NO2, and O3) and heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Fe, Ni, and As) during pregnancy were matched based on the mother's National Health Insurance registration area. SO2 (OR: 2.723, 95% CI: 1.971-3.761) and Pb (OR: 1.063, 95% CI: 1.019-1.11) were more closely associated with the incidence of ASD when infants were exposed to them in the third trimester of pregnancy. Pb (OR: 1.109, 95% CI: 1.043-1.179) in the first trimester of pregnancy and Cd (OR: 2.193, 95% CI: 1.074-4.477) in the third trimester of pregnancy were associated with the incidence of epilepsy. Thus, exposure to SO2, NO2, and Pb during pregnancy could affect the development of a neurologic disorder based on the timing of exposure, suggesting a relationship with fetal development. However, further research is needed.

Lung ultrasound score-based assessment of postoperative atelectasis in obese patients according to inspired oxygen concentration: A prospective, randomized-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: According to a recent meta-analysis, in patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30, a high fraction of inhaled oxygen (FiO2) did not increase postoperative atelectasis. However, a high FiO2 generally increases the risk of postoperative atelectasis. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of FiO2 on the development of atelectasis in obese patients using the modified lung ultrasound score (LUSS). METHODS: Patients were assigned to 4 groups: BMI ≥ 30: group A (n = 21) and group B (n = 20) and normal BMI: group C (n = 22) and group D (n = 21). Groups A and C were administered 100% O2 during preinduction and emergence and 50% O2 during anesthesia. Groups B and D received 40% O2 for anesthesia. The modified LUSS was assessed before and 20 min after arrival to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). RESULTS: The difference between the modified LUSS preinduction and PACU was significantly higher in group A with a BMI ≥ 30 (P = .006); however, there was an insignificant difference between groups C and D in the normal BMI group (P = .076). CONCLUSION: High FiO2 had a greater effect on the development of atelectasis in obese patients than did low FiO2; however, in normal-weight individuals, FiO2 did not have a significant effect on postoperative atelectasis.

Relationship between Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase-Activating Protein Gene and Peripheral Arterial Disease in Elderly Patients Undergoing General Surgery: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are at a higher risk of developing postoperative complications. Arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (ALOX5AP) plays an important role in atherosclerosis pathogenesis. In this study, the relationship between PAD and several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ALOX5AP (rs17216473, rs10507391, rs4769874, rs9551963, rs17222814, and rs7222842) was investigated in elderly patients undergoing general surgery. The medical records of 129 patients aged > 55 years who underwent elective general surgery between May 2018 and August 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The A/A in rs17216473, A/A in rs10507391, G/G in rs4769874, and A/A in rs9551963 were calculated as 0 points and the rest as 1 point to define the genetic risk score. The prevalence of PAD tended to increase with higher genetic risk scores (patients had less ALOX5AP gene polymorphism of A/A in rs17216473, A/A in rs10507391, G/G in rs4769874, or A/A in rs9551963) (p = 0.005). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the genetic risk score (p = 0.009) and age (p = 0.007) were positively correlated with the prevalence of PAD. Genetic polymorphisms of ALOX5AP and age were associated with the prevalence of PAD in this study.

Comparison of the effects of cranial electrotherapy stimulation and midazolam as preoperative treatment in geriatric patients: A CONSORT-compliant randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Although midazolam is widely administered as an anxiolytic premedication, it may cause over-sedation and hypoxia in geriatric patients. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) is a nonpharmacological device with anxiolytic effect. This study compared the effects of CES and midazolam as a preoperative treatment in geriatric patients. METHODS: Eighty patients, under the age of 65 to 79 years, undergoing general anesthesia were randomly assigned into midazolam premedication group (M group, n = 40) or CES pretreatment group (CES group, n = 40). The patients in the M group were intramuscularly injected with midazolam (0.07 mg/kg) 30 minutes before receiving general anesthesia. The patients in the CES group received 20 minutes of CES pretreatment on the day before and on the morning of the surgery. RESULTS: In the preoperative holding area, the anxiety score (P = .02) and the sedation score (P < .001) were significantly lower in the CES group compared with those in the M group. The oxygen saturations at the preoperative holding area and the operating room were significantly higher in the CES group than those in the M group (P < .001). CONCLUSION: CES pretreatment relieved preoperative anxiety with less risk of over-sedation and respiratory depression than midazolam premedication in geriatric patients.

The Quinazoline Otaplimastat (SP-8203) Reduces the Hemorrhagic Transformation and Mortality Aggravated after Delayed rtPA-Induced Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia.

Acute ischemic stroke is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) is the only agent clinically approved by FDA for patients with acute ischemic stroke. However, delayed treatment of rtPA (e.g., more than 3 h after stroke onset) exacerbates ischemic brain damage by causing intracerebral hemorrhage and increasing neurotoxicity. In the present study, we investigated whether the neuroprotant otaplimastat reduced delayed rtPA treatment-evoked neurotoxicity in male Sprague Dawley rats subjected to embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion (eMCAO). Otaplimastat reduced cerebral infarct size and edema and improved neurobehavioral deficits. In particular, otaplimastat markedly reduced intracerebral hemorrhagic transformation and mortality triggered by delayed rtPA treatment, consequently extending the therapeutic time window of rtPA. We further found that ischemia-evoked extracellular matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) expression was closely correlated with cerebral hemorrhagic transformation and brain damage. In ischemic conditions, delayed rtPA treatment further increased brain injury via synergistic expression of MMPs in vascular endothelial cells. In oxygen-glucose-deprived endothelial cells, otaplimastat suppressed the activity rather than protein expression of MMPs by restoring the level of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) suppressed in ischemia, and consequently reduced vascular permeation. This paper shows that otaplimastat under clinical trials is a new drug which can inhibit stroke on its own and extend the therapeutic time window of rtPA, especially when administered in combination with rtPA.

Effects of Intraoperative Nefopam on Catheter-Related Bladder Discomfort in Patients Undergoing Robotic Nephrectomy: A Randomized Double-Blind Study.

Catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) is one of the most difficult symptoms during the postoperative period. Nefopam is a non-narcotic analgesic agent, which also has anticholinergic action. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of nefopam on CRBD in male patients undergoing robotic nephrectomy. A total of 109 male patients were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (n = 55) received 20 mL of normal saline, and the nefopam group (n = 54) received 20 mg of nefopam 1 h before the end of the operation. At postoperative times of 20 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 6 h, the severity of CRBD was measured using an 11-point numeric rating scale, respectively. The severity of CRBD in the nefopam group was significantly lower than that in the control group at 20 min (4.8 ± 1.3 vs. 2.3 ± 1.0, respectively, p = 0.012) and at 1, 2, and 6 h (3.5 ± 1.2, 2.7 ± 0.9, and 2.5 ± 1.0 vs. 4.1 ± 0.8, 1.6 ± 0.8, and 1.3 ± 0.6, respectively, p < 0001). Intraoperative nefopam administration reduced the severity of CRBD in patients undergoing robotic nephrectomy.