Motor-evoked potential monitoring from urinary sphincter muscle during pediatric untethering surgery: a case series.

PURPOSE: Postoperative urinary dysfunction following untethering surgery for spinal lipoma is devastating. To assess urinary function, we invented a pediatric urinary catheter equipped with electrodes for the direct transurethral recording of myogenic potential from the external urethral sphincter (EUS). This paper presents two cases in which urinary function was monitored intraoperatively by recording of motor-evoked potential (MEP) from EUS during untethering surgery in children. METHODS: Two children (aged 2 and 6 years) were included in this study. One patient had no preoperative neurological dysfunction, while the other had frequent urination and urinary incontinence. A pair of surface electrodes was attached to a silicone rubber urethral catheter (6 or 8 Fr; diameter, 2 or 2.6 mm). The MEP from the EUS was recorded to assess the function of the centrifugal tract from the motor cortex to the pudendal nerve. RESULTS: Baseline MEP waveforms from the EUS were successfully recorded with latency and amplitude of 39.5 ms and 66 µV in patient 1 and 39.0 ms and 113 µV in patient 2, respectively. A significant decrease in amplitude was not observed during surgery in the two cases. No new urinary dysfunction and complications associated with the urinary catheter-equipped electrodes developed postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Using an electrode-equipped urinary catheter, monitoring of MEP from the EUS could be applicable during untethering surgery in pediatric patients.

Morphine inhibits cell viability and growth via suppression of vascular endothelial growth factor in human oral cancer HSC-3 cells.

PURPOSE: Although many oral cancer patients require opioids, the effects of morphine and related drugs on oral cancer progression have not been well established. Thus, we examined the effects of morphine exposure on the viability of human oral squamous carcinoma HSC-3 cells and aimed to identify the underlying mechanism. METHODS: We exposed HSC-3 cells to the various concentrations of morphine (0, 0.1, 1, 10, 100, or 1000 µmol/L) for 48 h and, subsequently, evaluated cell viability using the 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and cytotoxicity using the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. To explore the effects of morphine on cell proliferation further, colony formation assay and cell cycle analysis were performed. Additionally, the intracellular expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) was analyzed using flow cytometry, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A was evaluated using human VEGF assay. RESULTS: Morphine exposure reduced cell viability and enhanced cytotoxicity in HSC-3 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The number of colonies in the morphine-treated groups was significantly lower than that in the control group. Consistent with these results, morphine exposure significantly reduced the concentration of VEGF in the cell culture medium in a concentration-dependent manner. However, our data show that morphine at clinical concentrations (0.1-10 µmol/L) does not affect cell cycle and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that in human oral cancer HSC-3 cells, morphine exposure inhibits cell viability and growth via suppression of VEGF in clinical conditions.

Effect of sevoflurane on human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells under conditions of high glucose and insulin.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with morbidity and progression of some cancers, such as hepatocellular carcinoma. It has been reported that sevoflurane, a volatile anesthetic agent commonly used in cancer surgery, can lead to lower overall survival rates than those observed when propofol is used to treat cancer patients, and sevoflurane increases cancer cell proliferation in in vitro studies. It has been also reported that glucose levels in rats anesthetized with sevoflurane were higher than those in rats anesthetized with propofol. We investigated the effect of sevoflurane, under conditions of high glucose and insulin, on cell proliferation in the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, HepG2. First, we exposed HepG2 cells to sevoflurane at 1 or 2 % concentration for 6 h in various glucose concentrations and then evaluated cell proliferation using the MTT assay. Subsequently, to mimic diabetic conditions observed during surgery, HepG2 cells were exposed to sevoflurane at 1 or 2 % concentration in high glucose concentrations at various concentrations of insulin for 6 h. One-percent sevoflurane exposure enhanced cell proliferation under conditions of high glucose, treated with 0.05 mg/l insulin. Our study implies that sevoflurane may affect cell proliferation in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells in a physiological situation mimicking that of diabetes.

[Exposure to 1 % Sevoflurane for 6 Hours Enhances Proliferation of Human Colon Cancer Cells].

BACKGROUND: Sevoflurane is one of the commonly used volatile anesthetics in cancer patients. The protective effect of sevoflurane preconditioning has raised concerns about whether sevoflurane could act advantageously for survival even of cancer cells. Therefore, we investigated the effects of sevoflurane on proliferation in colon cancer cell lines. METHODS: HCT116 and HT29 cells were plated in 96-well plates at a density of 1 x 10(4) cells/well and incubated overnight. On the next day, cells were exposed to 1% or 2% sevoflurane for 6 hr. After 24 hr recovery, we performed MTT assay. The absorbance of the formazan product was measured at a wavelength of 570 nm using 650 nm as the reference. In addition, to investigate the role of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels, we conducted the same experiment under co-administration of K(ATP) inhibitor, glibenclamide. RESULTS: Only 1% sevoflurane significantly enhanced cell proliferation compared to the control in HCT116 and HT29 cells. Enhanced proliferation by sevoflurane was completely blocked by co-administration with glibenclamide in HCT116 cells. CONCLUSIONS: We had shown that 1% sevoflurane for 6 hr potentially enhances cell proliferation via K(ATP) channels in cancer cells.

Awake Craniotomy for Astrocytoma in the Left Frontal Lobe Using Augmented Reality Superimposing Tumor and White Matter Tracts: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Augmented reality (AR) is expected to serve as an assistive intraoperative technology in neurosurgery.1 Awake craniotomy (AC) for gliomas benefits the extent of resection, survival, and postoperative neurofunctional outcomes.2 In AC, it is critical to understand the cortical and subcortical anatomy.3 We describe the use of AR superimposing tumor and deep white matter tracts in AC. A 29-year-old right-handed woman presented to a local hospital after an episode of generalized convulsions. MRI of the head revealed a widely spreading tumor in the left middle frontal gyrus. After a left frontal craniotomy while the patient was asleep, AR was used to indicate the tumor boundary with subcortical fibers including the corticospinal tract, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, and cingulate fasciculus. We performed AR-assisted removal of the tumor on the surface of the middle frontal gyrus. On subcortical stimulation (SCS) of the frontal aslant tract and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, the patient stopped naming objects in the picture-naming test, while SCS of the left cingulate gyrus caused the patient to mistake colors in the Stroop test. The subcortical fibers identified by AR coincided with the sites of symptom elicitation by SCS. We eventually removed a large part of the tumor. Postoperative MRI confirmed 96.2% resection. The patient was discharged without any new neurological deficits. AC with AR is useful for resection of gliomas in the dominant hemisphere. The patient consented to the procedure and to the publication of her image. The ethics committee of our hospital does not require approval for case reports.

Prevalence of Myopia and Its Associated Factors Among Japanese Preschool Children.

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of myopia and factors associated with spherical equivalent (SE), axial length (AL), and axial length to corneal radius of curvature (AL/CR) ratio among Japanese preschool children. Study Design: Prospective observational study. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated subjects aged 4-6 years from a preschool. Non-cycloplegic autorefraction was measured using the Spot Vision Screener, while AL and corneal radius (CR) were measured using the Myopia Master. Parental myopia and environmental factors were investigated using the myopia-related factor questionnaire. The worse eye with higher myopic SE was chosen for analysis, and multiple linear regression models was performed using AL, SE, and AL/CR ratio as dependent variables. Results: A total of 457 out of 514 participants (239 males, 52.3%) aged 4-6 years (mean 4.77 ± 0.65 years) were included. The mean SE was 0.13 ± 0.63 D, AL was 22.35 ± 0.67 mm, CR was 7.76 ± 0.25 mm, and AL/CR ratio was 2.88 ± 0.72. The overall prevalence of myopia and high myopia were 2.9 and 0.2%, respectively. Multiple regression analysis showed that myopic SE was significantly associated with male sex (ß = -0.14, p = 0.02) and parental myopia (ß = -0.15, p = 0.04). Meanwhile, longer AL was significantly associated with older age (ß = 0.13, p = 0.02), male sex (ß = 0.44, p < 0.001), parental myopia (ß = 0.24, p = 0.01), and screen time (including smartphones, tablets, and computers) (>1 h, ß = 0.14, p = 0.04). A higher AL/CR was significantly associated with older age (ß = 0.02, p < 0.001), male sex (ß = 0.03, p < 0.001), ratio and parental myopia (ß = 0.03, p = 0.02). Conclusion: The prevalence of myopia and high myopia were 2.9 and 0.2%, respectively, among Japanese preschool children in 2021. Longer AL was associated with older age, male sex, parental myopia, and screen time in children aged 4-6 years. Children with a high risk of myopia can be identified early based on parental myopia information for early prevention.

Transurethral electrical stimulation for intraoperative bulbocavernosus reflex monitoring during spine surgery in females.

OBJECTIVE: Intraoperative bulbocavernosus reflex (BCR) monitoring is more difficult in females than in males. This study was designed to compare the feasibility of transurethral electrical stimulation BCR (tu-BCR) monitoring with that of conventional BCR (c-BCR) monitoring during spine surgery in females. METHODS: Twenty-four females were included. For stimulation in c-BCR monitoring, a pair of surface electrodes was placed on the genitals (cathode/anode: clitoris/adjacent labium). For stimulation in tu-BCR monitoring, a urethral catheter attached to a pair of electrodes was inserted into the urethra. BCRs were recorded from the external anal sphincter after a single train of four stimulation pulses. RESULTS: There was no postoperative urinary tract injury associated with urethral catheter insertion for tu-BCR. Tu-BCR monitoring had a significantly higher success rate of baseline recording than c-BCR monitoring (87.5% vs 66.7%, respectively, p = 0.028). The specificities of tu-BCR and c-BCR monitoring were 100% and 87.2%, respectively. The sensitivity was not calculated because no patients had postoperative urinary or bowel dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that tu-BCR monitoring improved the success rate of baseline recording and specificity during spine surgery in females. SIGNIFICANCE: Tu-BCR monitoring was more reliable than c-BCR monitoring during spine surgery in females.

A case of afterload mismatch associated with shivering leading to fetal hypoxia in a COVID-19 patient.

BACKGROUND: Fever and associated shivering are frequent symptoms in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). High body temperature activates the immune system, which might be beneficial. However, shivering leads to high oxygen demand. CASE PRESENTATION: A 38-year-old man diagnosed with COVID-19 was transferred to our intensive care unit (ICU). His oxygen saturation (SpO2) level was approximately 92-95% and was managed with a high flow nasal cannula. Six hours after admission to the ICU, he started shivering, and his systolic blood pressure rose above 200 mmHg. Concomitantly, his SpO2 levels decreased rapidly. Mechanical ventilation was started, but oxygenation could not be maintained, requiring the establishment of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 is known to cause thrombosis in the pulmonary microvasculature at the early stage of the disease. Under these circumstances, caution should be paid since shivering may worsen the patient's condition.

Selective CO2 conversion to formate conjugated with H2O oxidation utilizing semiconductor/complex hybrid photocatalysts.

Photoelectrochemical reduction of CO(2) to HCOO(-) (formate) over p-type InP/Ru complex polymer hybrid photocatalyst was highly enhanced by introducing an anchoring complex into the polymer. By functionally combining the hybrid photocatalyst with TiO(2) for water oxidation, selective photoreduction of CO(2) to HCOO(-) was achieved in aqueous media, in which H(2)O was used as both an electron donor and a proton source. The so-called Z-scheme (or two-step photoexcitation) system operated with no external electrical bias. The selectivity for HCOO(-) production was >70%, and the conversion efficiency of solar energy to chemical energy was 0.03-0.04%.

Radiating pain during epidural needle insertion and catheter placement cannot be associated with postoperative persistent paresthesia: a retrospective review.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that radiating pain during spinal or epidural needle insertion and catheter placement can be an indicator of needle-related nerve injury. In this study, using a historical cohort, we investigated what factors could be associated with postoperative persistent paresthesia. In addition, we focused on radiating pain during epidural needle insertion and catheterization. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of an institutional registry containing 21,606 anesthesia cases. We conducted multivariate logistic analysis in 2736 patients, who underwent epidural anesthesia, using the incidence of postoperative persistent paresthesia as a dependent variable and other covariates, including items of the anesthesia registry and the postoperative questionnaire, as independent variables in order to investigate the factors that were significantly associated with the risk of persistent paresthesia. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-six patients (6.44%) were found to have persistent paresthesia. Multivariate analysis revealed that surgical site at the extremities (odds ratio (OR), 12.5; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.77-56.4; the reference was set at abdominal surgery), duration of general anesthesia (per 10 min) (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03), postoperative headache (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.04-2.95), and days taken to visit the consultation clinic (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.06) were independently associated with persistent paresthesia. Radiating pain was not significantly associated with persistent paresthesia (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 0.69-3.54). CONCLUSION: Radiating pain during epidural procedure was not statistically significantly associated with persistent paresthesia, which may imply that this radiating pain worked as a warning of nerve injury.

Successful application of early tracheostomy in an intubated patient who suffered from irritative stimuli by an oral tracheal tube.

We experienced a case in which simultaneous weaning from sedation and mechanical ventilation were difficult because of instability of tracheal tube fixation that was caused by size mismatch between the trachea and the tube and by severe tracheal deviation. Irritative stimuli caused by the oral tracheal tube prevented conversion from deep sedation to light or no sedation. In this case, very early tracheostomy, which provided better tube fixation and successfully reduced the irritative stimuli to the trachea, was effective to help achieve discontinuation of sedation and facilitated successful weaning from mechanical ventilation. Eventually, the tracheostomy tube was successfully removed immediately after discontinuation of mechanical ventilation.

Characteristics of astigmatism before and 1 month after blepharoptosis surgery in patients with acquired ptosis.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the characteristics of astigmatism preoperatively and 1 month postoperatively in patients with age-related ptosis (AP) and contact lens-related ptosis (CLP), and investigate surgery-induced astigmatism (SIA) using the Jaffe vector analysis and the Cravy method. Consecutive patients who underwent blepharoptosis surgery between January 2019 and December 2019 were included. The patients were divided into AP and CLP groups. Computerized corneal topography was used to assess the magnitude and axis of corneal astigmatism. Astigmatism was classified as with-the-rule (WTR), against-the-rule (ATR), or oblique astigmatism (OA) pre- and postoperatively. SIA was calculated by vector analysis using the Cravy and Jaffe methods. The correlation between SIA and margin reflex distance (MRD) was calculated. One hundred and eight eyes from 58 patients (AP group: 85 eyes from 45 patients, CLP group: 23 eyes from 13 patients) were included. The AP group (73.8±7.6 years) was significantly older than the CLP group (47.7±6.6 years). The MRD increased significantly after treatment in both groups. The proportions of WTR, ATR, and OA were 52%, 22%, and 25%, and 86%, 9%, and 4% in the AP and CLP groups, respectively. A shift in astigmatism type was observed in 41% and 13% of patients in the AP and CLP groups, respectively. The average SIA measured using the Cravy method was 0.11±1.22 D in the AP group and -0.28±1.07 D in the CLP group (WTR astigmatism). The SIA calculated using the Jaffe method was 0.78±0.70 D in the AP group and 0.82±0.88 D in the CLP group. There was no significant correlation between SIA calculated using the Cravy and Jaffe methods and MRD. ATR was most common in age-related ptosis and WTR was most common in contact lens-related ptosis. Upper eyelid re-positioning may affect visual functions due to astigmatic changes in the short term postoperatively.

[The unnecessary application of central venous catheterization in surgical patients]. / A aplicação desnecessária de cateterização venosa central em pacientes cirúrgicos.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Perioperative physicians occasionally encounter situations where central venous catheters placed preoperatively turn out to be unnecessary. The purpose of this retrospective study is to identify the unnecessary application of central venous catheter placement and determine the factors associated with the unnecessary application of central venous catheter placement. METHODS: Using data from institutional perioperative central venous catheter surveillance, we analysed data from 1,141 patients who underwent central venous catheter placement. We reviewed the central venous catheter registry and medical charts and allocated registered patients into those with the proper or with unnecessary application of central venous catheter according to standard indications. Multivariate analysis was used to identify factors associated with the unnecessary application of central venous catheter placement. RESULTS: In 107 patients, representing 9.38% of the overall population, we identified the unnecessary application of central venous catheter placement. Multivariate analysis identified emergencies at night or on holidays (odds ratio [OR] 2.109, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.021-4.359), low surgical risk (OR=1.729, 95% CI 1.038-2.881), short duration of anesthesia (OR=0.961/10min increase, 95% CI 0.945-0.979), and postoperative care outside of the intensive care unit (OR=2.197, 95% CI 1.402-3.441) all to be independently associated with the unnecessary application of catheterization. Complications related to central venous catheter placement when the procedure consequently turned out to be unnecessary were frequently observed (9/107) compared with when the procedure was necessary (40/1034) (p=0.032, OR=2.282, 95% CI 1.076-4.842). However, the subsequent multivariate logistic model did not hold this significant difference (p=0.0536, OR=2.115, 95% CI 0.988-4.526). CONCLUSIONS: More careful consideration for the application of central venous catheter is required in cases of emergency surgery at night or on holidays, during low risk surgery, with a short duration of anesthesia, or in cases that do not require postoperative intensive care.

The unnecessary application of central venous catheterization in surgical patients / A aplicação desnecessária de cateterização venosa central em pacientes cirúrgicos

Abstract Background and objectives Perioperative physicians occasionally encounter situations where central venous catheters placed preoperatively turn out to be unnecessary. The purpose of this retrospective study is to identify the unnecessary application of central venous catheter placement and determine the factors associated with the unnecessary application of central venous catheter placement. Methods Using data from institutional perioperative central venous catheter surveillance, we analysed data from 1,141 patients who underwent central venous catheter placement. We reviewed the central venous catheter registry and medical charts and allocated registered patients into those with the proper or with unnecessary application of central venous catheter according to standard indications. Multivariate analysis was used to identify factors associated with the unnecessary application of central venous catheter placement. Results In 107 patients, representing 9.38% of the overall population, we identified the unnecessary application of central venous catheter placement. Multivariate analysis identified emergencies at night or on holidays (odds ratio [OR] 2.109, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.021-4.359), low surgical risk (OR = 1.729, 95% CI 1.038-2.881), short duration of anesthesia (OR = 0.961/10 min increase, 95% CI 0.945-0.979), and postoperative care outside of the intensive care unit (OR = 2.197, 95% CI 1.402-3.441) all to be independently associated with the unnecessary application of catheterization. Complications related to central venous catheter placement when the procedure consequently turned out to be unnecessary were frequently observed (9/107) compared with when the procedure was necessary (40/1034) (p = 0.032, OR = 2.282, 95% CI 1.076-4.842). However, the subsequent multivariate logistic model did not hold this significant difference (p = 0.0536, OR = 2.115, 95% CI 0.988-4.526). Conclusions More careful consideration for the application of central venous catheter is required in cases of emergency surgery at night or on holidays, during low risk surgery, with a short duration of anesthesia, or in cases that do not require postoperative intensive care.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivo No perioperatório, os médicos ocasionalmente encontram situações nas quais um cateter venoso central colocado pré-operativamente se revela desnecessário. O objetivo deste estudo retrospectivo foi identificar a colocação desnecessária de um cateter venoso central e determinar os fatores associados à colocação desnecessária de cateter venoso central. Métodos Com os dados da vigilância institucional de cateter venoso central no período perioperatório, analisamos 1.141 pacientes submetidos à colocação de cateter venoso central. Revisamos o registro de cateter venoso central e os prontuários médicos e alocamos os pacientes registrados entre aqueles com colocação adequada ou desnecessária de cateter venoso central, de acordo com as indicações padronizadas. Uma análise multivariada foi usada para identificar os fatores associados à colocação desnecessária de cateter venoso central. Resultados Em 107 pacientes, que representaram 9,38% da população global, identificamos a colocação desnecessária de cateter venoso central. A análise multivariada identificou emergências à noite ou em feriados (razão de chances [OR] 2,109; 95% de intervalo de confiança [IC 95%] 1,021-4,359), baixo risco cirúrgico (OR = 1,729; IC 95%: 1,038-2,881), curta duração da anestesia (OR = 0,961/10 min de aumento; IC 95%: 0,945-0,979) e assistência pós-operatória fora da unidade de terapia intensiva (OR = 2,197; IC 95%: 1,402-3,441), todos independentemente associados à aplicação desnecessária de cateterização. Complicações relacionadas à colocação de cateter venoso central, quando esse procedimento revelou-se desnecessário, foram frequentemente observadas (9/107), em comparação com a necessidade da execução desse procedimento (40/1.034) (p = 0,032, OR = 2,282; IC 95%: 1,076-4,842). Porém, o modelo logístico multivariável subsequente não manteve essa diferença significativa (p = 0,0536, OR = 2,1515; IC 95%: 0,988-4,526). Conclusão É preciso que uma análise mais cuidadosa seja feita sobre a colocação de cateter venoso central em casos de cirurgia de emergência à noite ou em feriados, durante cirurgia de baixo risco, em anestesia de curta duração ou em casos que não requeiram terapia intensiva no pós-operatório.

Artificial leaf device for solar fuel production.

Solar fuels, such as hydrogen gas produced from water and methanol produced from carbon dioxide reduction by artificial photosynthesis, have received considerable attention. In natural leaves the photosynthetic proteins are well-organized in the thylakoid membrane. To develop an artificial leaf device for solar low-carbon fuel production from CO2, a chlorophyll derivative chlorin-e6 (Chl-e6; photosensitizer), 1-carboxylundecanoyl-1'-methyl-4,4'-bipyrizinium bromide, iodide (CH3V(CH2)9COOH; the electron carrier) and formate dehydrogenase (FDH) (the catalyst) immobilised onto a silica-gel-based thin layer chromatography plate (the Chl-V-FDH device) was investigated. From luminescence spectroscopy measurements, the photoexcited triplet state of Chl-e6 was quenched by the CH3V(CH2)9COOH moiety on the device, indicating the photoinduced electron transfer from the photoexcited triplet state of Chl-e6 to the CH3V(CH2)9COOH moiety. When the CO2-saturated sample solution containing NADPH (the electron donor) was flowed onto the Chl-V-FDH device under visible light irradiation, the formic acid concentration increased with increasing irradiation time.

Selective CO2 conversion to formate in water using a CZTS photocathode modified with a ruthenium complex polymer.

Highly selective photoelectrochemical CO(2) reduction (>80% selectivity) in water was successfully achieved by combining Cu(2)ZnSnS(4) (CZTS) with a metal-complex electrocatalyst. CZTS, a sulfide semiconductor that possesses a narrow band gap and consists of earth-abundant elements, is demonstrated to be a candidate photoabsorber for a CO(2) reduction hybrid photocatalyst.