A Small Molecule That Protects the Integrity of the Electron Transfer Chain Blocks the Mitochondrial Apoptotic Pathway.

In response to apoptotic stimuli, mitochondria in mammalian cells release cytochrome c and other apoptogenic proteins, leading to the subsequent activation of caspases and apoptotic cell death. This process is promoted by the pro-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family of proteins, such as Bim and Bax, which, respectively, initiate and execute cytochrome c release from the mitochondria. Here we report the discovery of a small molecule that efficiently blocks Bim-induced apoptosis after Bax is activated on the mitochondria. The cellular target of this small molecule was identified to be the succinate dehydrogenase subunit B (SDHB) protein of complex II of the mitochondrial electron transfer chain (ETC). The molecule protects the integrity of the ETC and allows treated cells to continue to proliferate after apoptosis induction. Moreover, this molecule blocked dopaminergic neuron death and reversed Parkinson-like behavior in a rat model of Parkinson's disease.

Using part of the initial analgesic dose as the epidural test dose did not delay the onset of labor analgesia: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Epidural test dose for labor analgesia is controversial and varies widely in clinical practice. It is currently unclear whether using a portion of the initial dose for analgesia as the test dose delays the onset time of analgesia, compared to the traditional test dose. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-six parturients who chose epidural analgesia during labor were randomly assigned to two groups. The first dose in group L was 3 ml 1.5% lidocaine, and in the RF group was 10 ml 0.1% ropivacaine combined with 2 µg/ml fentanyl. After 3 min of observation, both groups received 8 ml 0.1% ropivacaine combined with 2 µg/ml fentanyl. The onset time of analgesia, motor and sensory blockade level, numerical pain rating scale, patient satisfaction score, and side effects were recorded. RESULTS: The onset time of analgesia in group RF was similar to that in group L (group RF vs group L, 7.0 [5.0-9.0] minutes vs 8.0 [5.0-11.0] minutes, p = 0.197). The incidence of foot numbness (group RF vs group L, 34.9% vs 57.1%, p = 0.020) and foot warming (group RF vs group L, 15.9% vs 47.6%, p < 0.001) in group RF was significantly lower than that in group L. There was no difference between the two groups on other outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with 1.5% lidocaine 3 ml, 0.1% ropivacaine 10 ml combined with 2 µg/ml fentanyl as an epidural test dose did not delay the onset of labor analgesia, and the side effects were slightly reduced. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2100043071).

Effect of early oral carbohydrate intake after elective Cesarean delivery on maternal body temperature and satisfaction: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Although the Enhanced Recovery After Cesarean Delivery (ERAC) consensus statement provides recommendations for early postoperative drinking and eating, evidence from high-quality clinical research directly addressing parturients is sparse. Our objective was to assess if early oral carbohydrate intake after elective Cesarean delivery improves maternal recovery. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, we enrolled parturients undergoing elective Cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia with tympanic membrane temperatures ≤ 36.5 °C immediately upon arrival at the postanesthesia care unit. Parturients were randomized to either 100 mL of oral complex carbohydrate intake (group CC) or 10 mL of water (group C). The primary outcome was maternal tympanic membrane temperature. Other outcomes included maternal thermal comfort score, degree of shivering, satisfaction, degree of thirst and hunger, and gastric emptying assessed by ultrasonography. RESULTS: We included 90 participants in the final analysis. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) maternal body temperature at 120 min after ingestion was 36.7 (0.3) °C in group CC and 36.6 (0.3) °C in group C (difference in means, 0.14 °C; 95% confidence interval, 0.02 to 0.26; P = 0.02). Furthermore, using repeated measure models, the linear trends of temperature changes over time between groups CC and C were significantly different (P = 0.04). The thermal comfort scores at 120 min after ingestion were higher in group CC than in group C (P = 0.02), and the linear trends of shivering score changes over time between groups CC and C also were different (P = 0.003). The mean (SD) visual analogue scale scores for maternal satisfaction were 84 (13) mm in group CC and 47 (20) mm in group C (P < 0.001). Nevertheless, at 90 and 120 min after ingestion, there were no differences between the two groups in the number of participants with a gastric antrum cross-sectional area > 10.3 cm2. CONCLUSIONS: Early oral carbohydrate intake after Cesarean delivery helped to restore maternal body temperature postoperatively and improve maternal satisfaction. Nevertheless, the clinical importance of these finding is unclear, given that most of the differences were small. In addition, there was no delay in maternal gastric emptying after consumption of a complex carbohydrate beverage in the early post-Cesarean period. STUDY REGISTRATION: www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2000031085); first submitted 13 November 2022.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Bien que la déclaration de consensus sur la Récupération améliorée après un accouchement par césarienne (ERAC/RAAC) fournisse des recommandations pour l'ingestion postopératoire précoce de liquides et d'aliments, les données probantes issues de recherches cliniques de haute qualité portant directement sur les personnes parturientes sont rares. Notre objectif était d'évaluer si l'ingestion précoce de glucides par voie orale après une césarienne programmée améliorait la récupération maternelle. MéTHODE: Dans cette étude randomisée contrôlée, nous avons recruté des personnes parturientes bénéficiant d'une césarienne programmée sous rachianesthésie avec une température tympanique ≤ 36,5 °C immédiatement après leur arrivée en salle de réveil. Les personnes parturientes ont été randomisées à recevoir soit 100 mL de glucides complexes par voie orale (groupe GC) ou 10 mL d'eau (groupe C). Le critère d'évaluation principal était la température tympanique maternelle. Les autres critères d'évaluation comprenaient, chez la mère, le score de confort thermique, le degré de frissons, la satisfaction, le degré de soif et de faim, et la vidange gastrique évaluée par échographie. RéSULTATS: Nous avons inclus 90 personnes dans l'analyse finale. La température corporelle maternelle moyenne (écart type [ET]) à 120 minutes après l'ingestion était de 36,7 (0,3) °C dans le groupe GC et de 36,6 (0,3) °C dans le groupe C (différence dans les moyennes, 0,14 °C; intervalle de confiance à 95 %, 0,02 à 0,26; P = 0,02). De plus, à l'aide de modèles à mesures répétées, les tendances linéaires des changements de température au fil du temps entre les groupes GC et C étaient significativement différentes (P = 0,04). Les scores de confort thermique à 120 minutes après l'ingestion étaient plus élevés dans le groupe GC que dans le groupe C (P = 0,02), et les tendances linéaires des changements de score de frissons au fil du temps entre les groupes GC et C étaient également différentes (P = 0,003). Les scores moyens (ET) de l'échelle visuelle analogique concernant la satisfaction maternelle étaient de 84 (13) mm dans le groupe GC et de 47 (20) mm dans le groupe C (P < 0,001). Néanmoins, à 90 et 120 minutes après l'ingestion, il n'y avait aucune différence entre les deux groupes dans le nombre de personnes présentant une section transversale de l'antre gastrique > 10,3 cm2. CONCLUSION: L'ingestion précoce de glucides par voie orale après un accouchement par césarienne a aidé à rétablir la température corporelle maternelle postopératoire et à améliorer la satisfaction maternelle. Néanmoins, l'importance clinique de ces résultats n'est pas claire, étant donné que la plupart des différences étaient faibles. De plus, il n'y avait pas de retard dans la vidange gastrique maternelle après la consommation d'une boisson glucidique complexe au début de la période post-césarienne. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2000031085); soumis pour la première fois le 13 novembre 2022.

The Effects of Over- and Under-Specified Linguistic Input on L2 Online Processing of Referring Expressions.

Via two reading experiments, this exploratory study examined the effects of over-and under-specified linguistic input on L2 online processing of Chinese referring expressions (REs). In each experiment, a group of advanced L2 Chinese speakers (all with Uyghurs as L1) and a control group of native Chinese speakers read 48 sets of 4 sentence pairs with each set including one sentence pair containing referential underspecification (ambiguity) and one pair containing overspecification (redundancy). An analysis of the two groups' reaction time (RT) using mixed-effects linear modelling reveals that underspecification had no effect on native Chinese speakers in both experiments, and overspecification also had no effect in the form of a redundant size noun modifier in Experiment 1 but showed a facilitating effect in the form of a color noun modifier in Experiment 2. In contrast, L2 Chinese speakers were significantly disrupted by underspecification in both experiments but not by overspecification. The results seem to support the hypothesis that L2 processing is constraint-based. Tentative research and pedagogical implications of the findings are discussed.

The effectiveness of different education methods conducted at different times for decreasing the time required for a parturient to position herself for epidural placement.

BACKGROUND: Decreasing the anaesthesia preparation time for primiparas experiencing painful uterine contractions is clinically relevant. This prospective intervention study investigated the effect of various educational methods conducted at different times on body positioning for primiparas undergoing labour analgesia. METHODS: Ninety primiparas who were about to receive labour analgesia were randomly divided into a verbal instruction group, a photo instructions group, and an educational video group for immediate education, and 60 primiparas who were willing to receive labour analgesia but were not in labour were randomly divided into a photo instruction group and an educational video group for advance education. The times required for body positioning were compared. RESULTS: In the immediate education cohort, the body positioning time in the verbal group (50.48 ± 28.97 s) was significantly longer than those in the photo group (30.47 ± 6.94 s) and the video group (23.14 ± 9.74 s) (P = 0.00). In the advance education cohort, the time in the photo group (17.47 ± 6.48 s) was longer than that in the video group (13.71 ± 7.01 s) (P = 0.042). Whether photos or videos are used, advance education can significantly decrease body positioning time. CONCLUSIONS: Video or photo education for primiparas who are about to receive labour analgesia can decrease the body positioning time and is more effective when provided in advance.

Effects of delta-opioid receptor agonist pretreatment on the cardiotoxicity of bupivacaine in rats.

BACKGROUND: Delta-opioid receptor is widely expressed in human and rodent hearts, and has been proved to protect cardiomyocytes against ischemia/reperfusion and heart failure. The antagonist of delta-opioid receptor could block the rescue effect of lipid emulsion against local anesthetic cardiotoxicity. However, no evidence is available for the direct effect of delta-opioid-receptor agonists on the cardiotoxicity of local anesthetics. METHODS: Anesthetized Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups. Group NS received 2 ml·kg-1·min-1 normal saline, group LE received 2 ml·kg-1·min-1 30% lipid emulsion and group BW received 0.1, 1.0, or 5.0 mg/kg BW373U86, a delta-opioid-receptor agonist, for 5 min. Then 0.5% bupivacaine was infused intravenously at a rate of 3.0 mg·kg-1·min-1 until asystole. The time of arrhythmia, 50% mean arterial pressure-, 50% heart rate-reduction and asystole were recorded, and the dose of bupivacaine at each time point was calculated. RESULTS: All three different doses of BW373U86 did not affect the arrhythmia, 50% mean arterial pressure-reduction, 50% heart rate-reduction and asystole dose of bupivacaine compared with group NS. 30% LE significantly increased the bupivacaine threshold of 50% mean arterial pressure-reduction (17.9 [15.4-20.7] versus 7.2 [5.9-8.7], p = 0.018), 50% heart rate-reduction (18.7 ± 4.2 versus 8.8 ± 1.7, p < 0.001) and asystole (26.5 [21.0-29.1] versus 11.3 [10.7-13.4], p = 0.008) compared with group NS. There was no difference between group LE and group NS in the arrhythmia dose of bupivacaine (9.9 [8.9-11.7] versus 5.6 [4.5-7.0], p = 0.060). CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that BW373U86 does not affect the cardiotoxicity of bupivacaine compared with NS control in rats. 30% LE pretreatment protects the myocardium against bupivacaine-induced cardiotoxicity.

Effect of Preoperative Oral Carbohydrate Loading on Body Temperature During Combined Spinal-Epidural Anesthesia for Elective Cesarean Delivery.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative hypothermia is a common complication after neuraxial block in cesarean delivery. At least 1 animal study has found that carbohydrate loading can maintain the body temperature of rats during general anesthesia, but it is unclear whether carbohydrate loading is beneficial for body temperature maintenance in parturient women during combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSEA) for elective cesarean delivery. METHODS: Women undergoing elective cesarean delivery were randomized into a control group (group C), an oral carbohydrate group (group OC), or an oral placebo group (group OP), with 40 women in each group. Core body temperature (Tc) and body surface temperature (Ts) before and after cesarean delivery, changes in Tc (ΔTc) and Ts (ΔTs), and the incidence of side effects (eg, intraoperative shivering) were compared among the groups. RESULTS: The postoperative Tc (core body temperature after cesarean delivery [Tc2]) of group OC (36.48 [0.48]°C) was higher than those of group C (35.95 [0.55]°C; P < .001), and group OP (36.03 [0.49]°C; P = .001). The ΔTc (0.30 [0.39]°C) in group OC was significantly smaller than those in group C (0.73 [0.40]°C; P = .001) and group OP (0.63 [0.46]°C; P = .0048). CONCLUSIONS: Oral carbohydrate loading 2 hours before surgery facilitated body temperature maintenance during CSEA for elective cesarean delivery.

Anesthetic management for cesarean delivery in a woman with congenital atlantoaxial dislocation and Chiari type I anomaly: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: The preferable choice of anesthesia for the patients with congenital atlantoaxial dislocation (CAAD) and type I Arnold Chiari malformations (ACM-I) has been a very confusing issue in clinical practice. We describe the successful administration of combined spinal-epidural anesthesia for a woman with CAAD and ACM-1 accompanied by syringomyelia. CASE PRESENTATION: Our case report presents the successful management of a challenging obstetric patient with CAAD and ACM-1 accompanied by syringomyelia. She had high risks of difficult airway and aspiration. The injection of bolus drugs through the spinal or epidural needle may worsen the previous neurological complications. The patient was well evaluated with a multidisciplinary technique before surgery and the anesthesia was provided by a skilled anesthesiologist with slow spinal injection. CONCLUSIONS: An interdisciplinary team approach is needed to weigh risks and benefits for patients with CAAD and ACM-1 undergoing cesarean delivery. Therefore, an individual anesthetic plan should be made basing on the available anesthetic equipments and physicians' clinical experience on anesthetic techniques.

Nalbuphine on postoperative gastrointestinal tract dysfunction after laparoscopic surgery for gynaecological malignancies: A randomized controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of nalbuphine and sufentanil on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract after laparoscopic surgery for gynaecological malignancies. A total of 100 patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-II undergoing laparoscopic radical hysterectomy under general anaesthesia were enrolled. The patients were randomized to receive sufentanil (Group S) or nalbuphine (Group N) intraoperatively and postoperatively. The time to first passage of flatus, the time to first defaecation, the time to toleration of diet, the serum gastrin level, and the duration of hospital stay of the groups were compared. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for postoperative pain, the number of dispensed patient-controlled analgaesics (PCAs), and the prevalence of postoperative nausea, vomiting, and dizziness of the groups were also compared. The time to first passage of flatus (P = .551), time to first defaecation (P = .310), time to toleration of diet (P = .182), serum gastrin level (P = .397), prevalence of postoperative nausea (P = .920) and vomiting (P = .334), number of dispensed PCAs (P = .167), and the duration of hospital stay (P = .482) of the two groups were not significantly different. The VAS scores at 6 hours (P = .008), 12 hours (P = .002), and 24 hours (P = .013) postoperatively were lower in Group N than in Group S. In conclusion, nalbuphine was not associated with improved postoperative GI dysfunction after laparoscopic surgery for gynaecological malignancies, but it was associated with reduced postoperative pain.

Opposing responses of the rat pulmonary artery and vein to phenylephrine and other agents in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Different from current cognition, our study demonstrated that adrenergic receptors agonist phenylephrine significantly relaxed isolated pulmonary artery but constricted pulmonary veins. Through comparing differences in the effects of commonly used vasoactive drugs on pulmonary artery and veins, the study aimed to improve efficiency and accuracy of isolated pulmonary vascular experiments, and to provide experimental basis for clinical drug use. METHODS: The contractile responses of pulmonary arteries and veins from twelve-week-old Male Sprague-Dawley rats to phenylephrine, arginine vasopressin (AVP), U46619, endothelin-1, and potassium chloride (KCl) were recorded, as well as the relaxation in response to phenylephrine, AVP, acetylcholine. To further explore the mechanism, some vessels was also pre-incubated with adrenergic receptors antagonists propranolol, prazosin and nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor N[gamma]-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) before addition of the experimental drugs. RESULTS: Phenylephrine constricted pulmonary veins directly, but constricted pulmonary artery only after incubation with propranolol or/and L-NAME. The pulmonary artery exhibited significant relaxation to AVP with or without L-NAME incubation. AVP more clearly constricted the veins after incubation with L-NAME. Changes in vascular tension also varied from pulmonary artery to veins for KCl stimulation. Different from phenomena presented in veins, acetylcholine did not relax pulmonary artery preconstricted by KCl, U46619, and endothelin-1. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, phenylephrine, KCl, AVP, and acetylcholine could be used to distinguish pulmonary arteries and pulmonary veins in vitro. This also suggested that the pulmonary arteries and pulmonary veins have great differences in physiology and drug reactivity.

Effects of sevoflurane and propofol on the optic nerve sheath diameter in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery: a randomized controlled clinical studies.

BACKGROUND: The results of studies on changes in intracranial pressure in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery are inconsistent. Meanwhile, previous neurosurgery studies have suggested that propofol and sevoflurane have inconsistent effects on cerebral blood flow and cerebrovascular self-regulation. The purpose of this study is to compare changes in the optic nerve sheath diameter in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery under anesthetic maintenance with propofol versus sevoflurane. METHODS: This study included 110 patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery with an estimated operative time of more than 2 h under general anesthesia. The study was a randomized controlled study. The optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) at various time points was measured by ultrasound, including when the patients entered the operating room (Tawake), after successful anesthesia induction and endotracheal intubation (Tinduction), when the body position was adjusted to the Trendelenburg position and the CO2 pneumoperitoneum pressure reached 14 mmHg, which was recorded as T0. Then, measurements were conducted every 15 min for the first 1 h and then once every hour until the end of the surgery (T15, T30, T45, T1h, T2h …), after the end of surgery and the tracheal tube was removed (Tend), and before the patients were transferred to the ward (Tpacu). RESULTS: A significant difference in optic nerve sheath diameter was found between two groups at T15, T30, T45 (4.64 ± 0.48 mm and 4.50 ± 0.29 mm, respectively, p = 0.031;4.77 ± 0.45 mm and 4.62 ± 0.28 mm, respectively, p = 0.036;4.84 ± 0.46 mm and 4.65 ± 0.30 mm, respectively, p = 0.012), while there was no significant difference at Tawake and other time points. CONCLUSION: During laparoscopic gynecological surgery lasting more than 2 h, the optic nerve sheath diameter was slightly larger in the propofol group than that in the sevoflurane group in the first 45 min. No significant difference was observed between the two groups 1 h after surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03498235 . Retrospectively registered 1 March 2018. The manuscript adheres to CONSORT guidelines.

Effects of different vasopressors on the contraction of the superior mesenteric artery and uterine artery in rats during late pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Hypotension after neuraxial anaesthesia is one of the most common complications during caesarean section. Vasopressors are the most effective method to improve hypotension, but which of these drugs is best for caesarean section is not clear. We assessed the effects of vasopressors on the contractile response of uterine arteries and superior mesenteric arteries in pregnant rats to identify a drug that increases the blood pressure of the systemic circulation while minimally affecting the uterine and placental circulation. METHODS: Isolated ring segments from the uterine and superior mesenteric arteries of pregnant rats were mounted in organ baths, and the contractile responses to several vasopressor agents were studied. Concentration-response curves for norepinephrine, phenylephrine, metaraminol and vasopressin were constructed. RESULTS: The contractile response of the mesenteric artery to norepinephrine, as measured by the pEC50 of the drug, was stronger than the uterine artery (5.617 ± 0.11 vs. 4.493 ± 1.35, p = 0.009), and the contractile response of the uterine artery to metaraminol was stronger than the mesenteric artery (pEC50: 5.084 ± 0.17 vs. 4.92 ± 0.10, p = 0.007). There was no statistically significant difference in the pEC50 of phenylephrine or vasopressin between the two blood vessels. CONCLUSIONS: In vitro experiments showed that norepinephrine contracts peripheral blood vessels more strongly and had the least effect on uterine artery contraction. These findings support the use of norepinephrine in mothers between the time of neuraxial anaesthesia and the delivery of the foetus.

Effects of Preoperative Gum Chewing on Sore Throat After General Anesthesia With a Supraglottic Airway Device: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative sore throat (POST) is not uncommon after general anesthesia with a supraglottic airway (SGA) device. Although it was reported that some pharmacological and nonpharmacological measures can reduce POST, because of limitations and variable success rates, we need to find a simpler and more effective way to alleviate POST. METHODS: This prospective, observer-blinded, randomized controlled study enrolled 140 patients who required general anesthesia administered via a streamlined liner of the pharyngeal airway (SLIPA) for <60 minutes. They were randomly divided into the gum (group G, n = 70) and control (group C, n = 70) groups. Before the induction of general anesthesia for 5-10 minutes, the patients in group G chewed gum for 2 minutes. Group C was asked to swallow twice without any additional treatment. A standard anesthesia protocol was followed. The incidence and severity of sore throat were assessed up to 24 hours postoperatively. The primary outcome was the incidence of POST numerical rating scale (NRS) scores >3 within 24 hours after surgery, and the secondary outcomes included the POST (NRS) scores 2, 6, and 24 hours after the surgery. RESULTS: The incidence of moderate/severe POST (NRS >3) within 24 hours after surgery was significantly lower in group G (10.1%, 7/69) than in group C (40.6%, 28/69) (odds ratio 0.386, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.153-0.976; P = .044). The median (interquartile range [range]) scores at 2, 6, and 24 hours after anesthesia in group G were lower than those in the control group at the same times (2 hours: 0 [0-3 {0-4}] vs 3 [0-3 {0-6}], P = .048; 6 hours: 0 [0-3 {0-6}] vs 2 [0-4 {0-6}], P = .048; 24 hours: 0 [0-1 {0-7}] vs 0 [0-2 {0-6}]; P = .011). There were 14 patients (20.3%, 14/69) in group G who had blood stains on the SGA device, which was significantly lower than the number in group C (37.7%, 26/69) (P = .024). In patients with bloody SGA devices, the incidence of POST scores >3 was significantly lower in group G (14.3%, 2/14) than in group C (73.1%, 19/26) (P < .001), while there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in the incidence of POST score >3 in patients without bloody SGA devices (group G: 9.1%, 5/55; group C: 20.9%, 9/43; P = .145). CONCLUSIONS: Chewing gum before surgery can effectively reduce POST with a SGA device for hysteroscopic surgery, especially in patients with pharyngeal mucosal injury.

Effect of the Combination of Ketorolac and Bupivacaine on Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Postoperative Analgesia After Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgery.

BACKGROUND This study assessed the additional benefits of bupivacaine when combined with ketorolac for transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block after gynecological laparoscopic surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS This randomized, observer-blind trial recruited 153 patients who underwent gynecological laparoscopic surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to receive bupivacaine combined with ketorolac 15 mg/side for TAP block (TK group), bupivacaine for TAP block and 30 mg postoperative intravenous ketorolac (T group), or 30 mg postoperative intravenous ketorolac alone (C group). The primary endpoints included consumption of sufentanil for 24 h postoperatively, actual press times of the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump, and effective press times of the PCA pump, whereas the secondary endpoints included numerical rating scale (NRS) pain scores at rest and during activity, satisfaction with analgesia, episodes of nausea and vomiting and length of hospital stay. RESULTS Sufentanil consumption, actual press times of the PCA pump, and effective press times of the PCA pump were lower in the TK and T groups than in the C group. NRS scores at rest and during activity at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 24 hours were significantly lower in the TK and T groups than in the C group. The TK and T groups showed greater satisfaction with analgesia than the C group, while the TK group showed greater overall satisfaction than the C group. Lengths of stay, rates of nausea and vomiting, and venting times did not differ significantly among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS Combined ketorolac and bupivacaine as TAP block improved the effectiveness of analgesia without increasing adverse events. Trial registration number: ChiCTR1900022577.

The effect of gestational diabetes mellitus on sufentanil consumption after cesarean section: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that patients with long-term diabetes require more opioids after surgery than patients without diabetes. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) normally only lasts for a brief period; nevertheless, its effect on sufentanil consumption after cesarean section is unknown. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included two groups: a GDM group (n = 32) and a matched non-GDM (NGDM) group (n = 32). All patients underwent routine combined spinal-epidural anesthesia for cesarean delivery. Sufentanil consumption through an intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump, the frequency of PCA requests, and visual analog scale (VAS) scores 6 and 24 h after surgery were compared between groups. RESULTS: Sufentanil consumption (µg) 6 h after surgery was higher in the GDM group than in the NGDM group (24.0 ± 6.6 vs 20.1 ± 5.7, P = 0.023). PCA was used more frequently 6 and 24 h after surgery by the GDM group than by the NGDM group (1[0-2] vs 0[0-1], P = 0.001; 6 [1-5] vs 3 [1, 2, 6-8], P = 0.001, respectively). The VAS score during activity 24 h after surgery was higher in the GDM group than in the NGDM group (5 [2, 3] vs 5 [1, 2], respectively, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Pregnant women with GDM require more opioids during the immediate postoperative period after cesarean section than those without GDM. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: No. ChiCTR1800016014, ChenYang, May 6th 2018.

Optofluidic variable optical attenuator controlled by electricity.

An optofluidic variable optical attenuator (VOA) is proposed in this paper, where the microfluidic driving technology adopts the electrically controlled way. The proposed driving technology solves some problems of existing microfluidic driving technologies and introduces a simple structure, a small volume, high precision, and a quick response for the VOA. This VOA has some advantages over other VOAs, such as a wide wavelength band (from visible light to the near infrared), a wide adjustable attenuation range, a low wavelength-dependent loss, and a quick response. The experiment results indicate that the attenuation range of this VOA is more than 80 dB and the wavelength-dependent loss is 0.09 dB at an attenuation of 20 dB in the C-band. Most VOAs have millisecond-scale response times, whereas the response time here is about 155-180 µs. Our work shows a new way to design miniaturized VOAs with good performance and can also promote optofluidics.

The association of body mass index with difficult tracheal intubation management by direct laryngoscopy: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a serious disorder and may bring about many difficulties of perioperative management. A systematic review was conducted to assess the association between obesity and difficult intubation. METHODS: We searched electronic databases for related reviews and references of meta-analyses on August 14, 2017. The databases of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane controlled trials register were searched compared obese with non-obese patients in which difficult intubation rate of the adult population were retrieved. Patients with a BMI ≥ 30 kg·m- 2 were considered obese. The primary outcome was difficult tracheal intubation; secondary outcomes were the rates of difficult laryngoscopy and Mallampati score ≥ 3. This review included papers published from 1998 to 2015. RESULTS: This review included 204,303 participants in 16 studies. There was a statistically significant association between obesity and risk of difficult tracheal intubation (pooled RR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.16-3.59, p = 0.01; I2 = 71%, p = 0.008, Power = 1.0). It also showed significantly association between obesity and risk of difficult laryngoscopy (pooled RR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.25-1.89, p < 0.0001; I2 = 45%, p = 0.07, Power = 1.0), obesity and risk of Mallampati score ≥ 3 (pooled RR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.24-2.69, p = 0.002; I2 = 81%, p < 0.00001, Power = 0.93). However, there were no association of obesity and risks of difficult intubation compared with non-obesity in the cohort studies (pooled RR = 3.41, 95% CI: 0.88-13.23, p = 0.08; I2 = 50%, p = 0.14) and the elective tracheal intubation (pooled RR = 2.31, 95% CI: 0.76-6.99, p = 0.14; I2 = 73%, p = 0.01), no associated with an increased risk of difficult laryngoscopy in the sniffing position (pooled RR = 2.00, 95% CI: 0.97-4.15, p = 0.06; I2 = 67%, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Obesity was associated with an increased risk of difficult intubation, difficult laryngoscopy and Mallampati score ≥ 3 in adults patients undergoing general surgical procedures. However, there were no association of obesity and risks of difficult intubation compared with non-obesity in the cohort studies and the elective tracheal intubation, no associated with an increased risk of difficult laryngoscopy in the sniffing position. Future analyses should explore the association of BMI and difficult airway.

Effects of Epidural Labor Analgesia With Low Concentrations of Local Anesthetics on Obstetric Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Low concentrations of local anesthetics (LCLAs) are increasingly popular for epidural labor analgesia. The effects of epidural analgesia with low concentrations of anesthetics on the duration of the second stage of labor and the instrumental birth rate, however, remain controversial. A systematic review was conducted to compare the effects of epidural analgesia with LCLAs with those of nonepidural analgesia on obstetric outcomes. METHODS: The databases of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane controlled trials register were independently searched by 2 researchers, and randomized controlled trials that compared epidural labor analgesia utilizing LCLAs with nonepidural analgesia were retrieved. The primary outcomes were the duration of the second stage of labor and the instrumental birth rate; secondary outcomes included the cesarean delivery rate, the spontaneous vaginal delivery rate, and the duration of the first stage of labor. RESULTS: Ten studies (1809 women) were included. There was no significant difference between groups in the duration of the second stage of labor (mean difference = 5.71 minutes, 95% confidence interval [CI], -6.14 to 17.83; P = .36) or the instrumental birth rate (risk ratio [RR] = 1.52, 95% CI, 0.97-2.4; P = .07). There was no significant difference between groups in the cesarean delivery rate (RR = 0.8, 95% CI, 0.6-1.05; P = .11), the spontaneous vaginal delivery rate (RR = 0.98, 95% CI, 0.91-1.06; P = .62), or the duration of the first stage of labor (mean difference = 17.34 minutes, 95% CI, -5.89 to 40.56; P = .14). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with nonepidural analgesia, epidural analgesia with LCLAs is not associated with a prolonged duration of the second stage of labor or an increased instrumental birth rate. The results of this meta-analysis are based on small trials of low quality. These conclusions require confirmation by large-sample and high-quality trials in the future.

Discovery of novel dihydrobenzofuran cyclopropane carboxylic acid based calcium sensing receptor antagonists for the treatment of osteoporosis.

In a search for novel small molecule calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) antagonists as oral bone anabolic agents, we discovered dihydrobenzofuran cyclopropane carboxylic acid derivatives, such as 12f (IC50=27.6nM), are highly potent calcium-sensing receptor antagonists. Studies in rats established that compound 12f stimulates parathyroid hormone (PTH) release in a fast-acting, pulsatile manner.

Role of cerebral oxygenation for prediction of hypotension after spinal anesthesia for caesarean section.

To investigate the role of cerebral oxygen saturation (ScO2) for prediction of hypotension after spinal anesthesia for caesarean section. Forty-five parturients undergoing elective caesarean section under spinal anesthesia were selected. Blood pressure, heart rate and pulse oxygen saturation before and after anesthesia were recorded, and the association between changes in ScO2 before and after anesthesia with hypotension after spinal anesthesia was explored. Hypotension occurred in 32 parturients after spinal anesthesia. The decrease in ScO2 after spinal anesthesia in parturients with hypotension was larger than in parturients without hypotension (P < 0.05). The duration from the intrathecal injection to 5 % decrease in ScO2 was shorter than that from the intrathecal injection to the occurrence of hypotension (P < 0.05). The mean time from 5 % decrease in ScO2 to hypotension was 38 s. The area under the receiver operation characteristic curve was 0.83 for decrease in ScO2 for prediction of hypotension (P < 0.05), and the optimal threshold value was 4.5 %. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 4.5 % decrease in ScO2 for prediction of hypotension were 0.75, 0.78, 0.92 and 0.47, respectively. The decrease in ScO2 after spinal anesthesia is associated with hypotension after spinal anesthesia for cesarean section, and may be a clinically useful predictor.