A predictive model for preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia based on ferroptosis-related lncRNAs.

BACKGROUND: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most challenging chronic lung disease for prematurity, with difficulties in early identification. Given lncRNA emerging as a novel biomarker and the regulator of ferroptosis, this study aims to develop a BPD predictive model based on ferroptosis-related lncRNAs (FRLs). METHODS: Using a rat model, we firstly explored mRNA levels of ferroptosis-related genes and ferrous iron accumulation in BPD rat lungs. Subsequently, a microarray dataset of umbilical cord tissue from 20 preterm infants with BPD and 34 preterm infants without BPD were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus databases. Random forest and LASSO regression were conducted to identify diagnostic FRLs. Nomogram was used to construct a predictive BPD model based on the FRLs. Finally, umbilical cord blood lymphocytes of preterm infants born before 32 weeks gestational age and term infants were collected and determined the expression level of diagnostic FRLs by RT-qPCR. RESULTS: Increased iron accumulation and several dysregulated ferroptosis-associated genes were found in BPD rat lung tissues, indicating that ferroptosis was participating in the development of BPD. By exploring the microarray dataset of preterm infants with BPD, 6 FRLs, namely LINC00348, POT1-AS1, LINC01103, TTTY8, PACRG-AS1, LINC00691, were determined as diagnostic FRLs for modeling. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of the model was 0.932, showing good discrimination of BPD. In accordance with our analysis of microarray dataset, the mRNA levels of FRLs were significantly upregulated in umbilical cord blood lymphocytes from preterm infants who had high risk of BPD. CONCLUSION: The incorporation of FRLs into a predictive model offers a non-invasive approach to show promise in improving early detection and management of this challenging chronic lung disease in premature infant, enabling timely intervention and personalized treatment strategies.

Application of controlled low central venous pressure during hepatectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Previous studies reported that controlled low central venous pressure (CVP) can reduce blood loss during liver resection. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to explore the efficacy and safety of low CVP in patients undergoing hepatectomy. DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). REVIEW METHODS: RCTs were searched in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese BioMedical database, Chinese Scientific Journals Database, and Wanfang database from inception to April 30, 2021. Subgroup analyses were performed based on different surgical methods (open hepatectomy vs laparoscopic hepatectomy) and published countries (China vs other countries). The quality of evidence was assessed by Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation. MAIN RESULTS: Eighteen RCTs containing 1285 participants (626 patients in the low CVP group and 659 patients in the control group) were included in this study. The forest plot showed that low CVP effectively reduced blood loss during liver resection compared with the control group (MD = -311.92 mL, 95% CI [-429.03, -194.81]; P < 0.001, I2 = 96%). Furthermore, blood transfusion volume (MD = -158.85 mL, 95% CI [-218.30, -99.40]; P < 0.001, I2 = 55%) and the number of patients requiring transfusion (RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.27-0.65, P < 0.001, I2 = 0%) were decreased in the low CVP group. Subgroup analyses showed similar results. Notably, the alanine transaminase level was significantly lower in the low CVP group during the first five postoperative days. However, no significant differences were observed for other postoperative liver function indicators (aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, serum albumin, and prothrombin time), renal function indicators (blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine) and perfusion parameters (heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and urine volume). The incidence of complications was similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study showed that low CVP is effective and safe during hepatectomy. Therefore, this technique is recommended to reduce blood loss during hepatectomy. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021232829.

Analgesic efficacy and safety of erector spinae plane block in breast cancer surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection is considered to be the primary and most effective therapy for breast cancer, postoperative pain is an issue gaining significant attention. In recent years, erector spinae plane block (ESPB) has attracted much attention in postoperative analgesia, but its effectiveness is still controversial. This meta-analysis was implemented to verify the clinical analgesic efficacy and safety of erector spinae plane block in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ESPB with general anesthesia (GA) in breast cancer surgery that were published before December 25, 2020. The primary outcome was opioid consumption at the first 24 h after surgery, while secondary outcomes included pain scores at 1, 6,12 and 24 h after surgery, opioid consumption at 1, 6 and 12 h after surgery, intraoperative opioid consumption, number of patients who need for rescue analgesia, and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). RESULTS: Eleven randomized controlled trials involving 679 patients met the study inclusion criteria and were included in this study. In comparison to GA group, the ESPB group showed a significant reduction in morphine consumption at the first 24 h after surgery by a mean difference (MD) of - 7.67 mg [95% confidence interval (CI) - 10.35 to - 5.00] (P <  0.01). In addition, the ESPB group showed lower pain scores than the GA group in the four time periods (1, 6, 12 and 24 h after surgery). ESPB group significantly reduce the intraoperative consumption of fentanyl, the need for postoperative rescue analgesia, and the incidence of PONV. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided ESPB is an effective approach for reducing morphine consumption and pain intensity within the first 24 h after breast cancer surgery, compared with GA alone.

The Safety and Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Bilateral Dual Transversus Abdominis Plane (BD-TAP) Block in ERAS Program of Laparoscopic Hepatectomy: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled, Blinded, Clinical Study.

PURPOSE: Postoperative pain management for patients undergoing hepatic resection is still a challenge due to the risk of perioperative liver dysfunction. The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a promising regional analgesic technique. However, the correct guidelines regarding the dose and regimen of local anesthetics in patients undergoing hepatic resection have yet to be established completely. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided BD-TAP block with a large dose of ropivacaine in laparoscopic hepatectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective, blinded, randomized, controlled study was conducted with 50 patients who were scheduled for selective laparoscopic hepatectomy. Patients who received a BD-TAP block (3 mg/kg of ropivacaine diluted to 60 mL) with general anesthesia were categorized into the BD-TAP block group (n = 25), and those who received general anesthesia were categorized into the control group (n = 25). The primary outcomes were consumption of sufentanil within 48 hours post-operation and plasma ropivacaine concentration. The secondary outcomes were the severity of pain (at rest and upon coughing), nausea and/or vomiting, and quality of recovery. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the patients in BD-TAP block group had a significant reduction of postoperative sufentanil consumption at 2 hours (P = 0.019), 24 hours (P = 0.001), and 48 hours (P = 0.001), and the visual analog scale (VAS) scores on coughing were significantly lower at postoperative 2 hours (P = 0.004). There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative nausea and/or vomiting, flatus, catheter removal, off-bed activity, liver function, or postoperative hospital stay. The mean peak total ropivacaine concentration was 1,067.85 ng/mL, which occurred 1 hour after administering the block, and mean free ropivacaine concentration was 52.32 ng/mL. The highest individual peak plasma concentration was 2,360.90 ng/mL at 45 min postinjection, and the free ropivacaine concentration was 139.29 ng/mL. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided BD-TAP block provides effective postoperative analgesia after laparoscopic hepatectomy. This study also confirms that ultrasound-guided BD-TAP blocks with 3 mg/kg ropivacaine during laparoscopic hepatectomy almost never results in the plasma ropivacaine concentrations associated with neurotoxicity.