Rheological characterization of chia seed gum as a thickening agent used for dysphagia management.

Dysphagia has emerged as a serious health issue facing contemporary society. Consuming thickened liquids is an effective approach for improving the swallowing safety for dysphagia patients. The thickening effect of chia seed gum (CSG), a novel thickener, in different dispersing media (water, orange juice, and skim milk) was investigated. Moreover, the potential application of CSG for dysphagia management was evaluated by comparison with xanthan gum (XG) and guar gum (GG). The thickened liquids prepared with 0.4 %-1.2 % (w/v) CSG, XG, and GG could be classified into levels 1-4, 2-4, and 1-3, respectively, according to the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) framework. All the thickened liquids displayed shear-thinning characteristics that facilitated safe swallowing. The viscosities (η50) of CSG dissolved in water (0.202-1.027 Pa·s) were significantly greater than those of CSG dissolved in orange juice (0.070-0.690 Pa·s) and skim milk (0.081-0.739 Pa·s), indicating that CSG had a greater thickening effect in water than in orange juice and skim milk. Compared with those prepared with GG, the thickened liquids prepared with CSG and XG exhibited greater viscoelasticity, better water-holding capacity, and more compact networks. The findings suggested that CSG can be used as a potential thickener for thickening liquid foods to manage dysphagia.

Neutrophil extracellular traps correlate with severity and prognosis in patients with ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A correlation between neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and ischemic stroke (IS) has been hypothesized, but the results of relevant studies remain controversial. The purpose was to determine whether NETs have an impact on ischemic stroke. METHODS: The studies on the correlation between NETs and IS were retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP, CBM, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases by computer from the start of the database to December 2022. The study adhered to PRISMA guidelines. The PICOS model was used to create inclusion criteria. Two researchers screened the literature and extracted the relevant data. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the NOS and the 11 items recommended by the AHRQ, and meta-analysis was completed using Stata 15.1 software. RESULTS: The researchers included 752 patients in 7 studies (4 case-control studies and 3 cross-sectional studies). The meta-analysis found NETs are positively associated with the severity of IS at the time of onset [r(95% CI) = 0.31(0.24, 0.38), P < 0.001]. NETs are positively associated with a worse prognosis of IS [r(95% CI) = 0.34(0.13, 0.53), P = 0.003]. CONCLUSION: The presence of NETs is positively related to the severity and prognosis of IS. Higher levels of NETs indicate a more severe disease and a poorer prognosis. Because the number and quality of included studies are limited, the above results must be supported by further high-quality studies. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/ , identifier: CRD42022356619.

Effects of Peak Inspiratory Pressure-Guided Setting of Intracuff Pressure for Laryngeal Mask Airway Supreme™ Use during Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of peak inspiratory pressure (PIP)-guided intracuff pressure (ICP) modulation of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) Supreme™ during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Totally 120 patients were randomly divided using computer-generated numbers into a control group (n = 60; ICP, 60 cmH2O) and a PIP group (n = 60), in which ICP was increased with 5 cmH2O each time from PIP level until no air leaks from the oropharynx. PIP, ICP, cuff volume (CV), oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP) and leak fraction (LF) were recorded before and after pneumoperitoneum establishment. Postoperative pharyngolaryngeal complications (sore throat, dysphagia, pharyngeal hematoma, and dysphonia) were also recorded. RESULTS: Demographic data were similar in the two groups. The CV and ICP before and after pneumoperitoneum were significantly lower in the PIP group (CV: 15.6 ± 2.3 mL and 21.0 ± 2.6 mL; ICP: 14.3 ± 2.9 cmH2O and 20.5 ± 3.4 cmH2O) than in the control group (CV: 33.0 ± 2.8 mL and 32.8 ± 1.9 mL; ICP: 60.0 ± 0.1 cmH2O and 60.0 ± 0.1 cmH2O) (P < 0.05). Although OLP was lower in the PIP group (P < 0.05), the LF was similar in the two groups (P > 0.05). There were fewer postoperative pharyngolaryngeal complications in the PIP group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with a fixed ICP of 60 cmH2O, PIP-guided ICP modulation during LMA Supreme™ use provided effective airway sealing at a lower CV and ICP, and produced fewer postoperative pharyngolaryngeal complications in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Spatial genetic structure of the cyprinid fish Onychostoma lepturum on Hainan Island.

Population genetic structure of Onychostoma lepturum on Hainan Island was investigated based on mitochondrial CR + cyt b region in 63 specimens collected from four populations. Population analyses indicated significant genetic structure (FST = 0.749) and displayed a significant relationship between phylogeny and geography (NST = 0.750 and GST = 0.140). Thirty-one mtDNA haplotypes were classified into four lineages, and these lineages had an almost allopatric distribution. The results of a statistical dispersal-vicariance analysis suggest that the ancestral populations were distributed widely on Hainan Island, and the rising of the central mountainous area of Hainan Island, the Wuzhi and Yinggeling Mountain Range, separated these four drainages into independent lineages. According to a spatial analysis of molecular variance analysis, we divided these populations into three units: ND, CH and WQ + LS, running into Qiongzhou Strait, the Gulf of Tokin and the South China Sea, respectively. According to our study, the exposure of straits and shelf under water retreat gave chances for population dispersion during the glaciations.

Huangshan population of Chinese Zacco platypus (Teleostei, Cyprinidae) harbors diverse matrilines and high genetic diversity.

Six main mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) lineages have been described in minnow (Zacco platypus) samples obtained from northern, western and southern China. Perdices et al. (2004) predicted that further sampling of other tributaries might discover more lineages of this species. In this study, we collected 26 Zacco platypus individuals in the Huangshan area of eastern China and determined the cytochrome b (cytb) sequence variations. Combined with reported data in GenBank, we identified ten matrilines (Zacco A-J) in a total of 169 samples, with relatively high molecular divergence found among them. The Huangshan population had the greatest genetic variation among all sampled regions and hosted six of the ten matrilines. Our results highlight the significance of the Huangshan area for the conservation of Zacco platypus.