Objective: To analyze the mediating effects of loneliness and depressive symptoms on family functioning and life satisfaction among rural elderly patients with chronic diseases, so as to provide the basis for improving the life satisfaction of this population. Methods: Rural elderly patients with chronic diseases aged ≥60 years in Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province were selected using a multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling method from June to September 2022. Basic information such as gender, age, and chronic diseases were collected. Family function, life satisfaction, loneliness and depressive symptoms were evaluated using Family Care Index Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the b-item Revised VCLA Loneliness Sale and the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale, respectively. The structural equation model was constructed using Amos software to analyze the mediating effects of loneliness and depressive symptoms on the relationship between family function and life satisfaction. The Bootstrap method was employed to test the mediating effects. Results: A total of 1 145 rural elderly patients with chronic diseases were recruited, including 517 males (45.15%) and 628 females (54.85%). Among the participants, 657 individuals (57.38%) were aged 60-<71 years, and 540 individuals (47.16%) had three or more chronic diseases. The scores for family function, life satisfaction, loneliness, and depressive symptoms were (3.90±1.18), (18.88±5.25), (12.88±2.99), and (6.65±2.26), respectively. Mediating effect analysis showed that family function had a direct positive effect on life satisfaction (β=0.179, 95%CI: 0.126-0.231). It also indirectly positively influenced the life satisfaction of rural elderly patients with chronic diseases through the independent mediating effect of depressive symptoms (β=0.035, 95%CI: 0.021-0.054) and the chained mediating effect of loneliness and depressive symptoms (β=0.021, 95%CI: 0.013-0.030). The mediating effect of depressive symptoms accounted for 14.89% of the total effect, while the chained mediating effect of loneliness and depressive symptoms accounted for 8.94% of the total effect. Conclusion Good family function can directly enhance the life satisfaction of rural elderly patients with chronic diseases and can also indirectly improve their life satisfaction by reducing loneliness and depressive symptoms.

Objective:To compare the effects of erector spinae plane block at T 2 (T 2-ESPB) and nerve root block at C 5 (C 5-NRB) in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery with general anesthesia. Methods:This was a randomized, controlled, non-inferiority study. Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification I or Ⅱ patients, aged 45-75 yr, with body mass index ≤35 kg/m 2, scheduled for elective arthroscopic shoulder surgery at Jining No. 1 People′s Hospital from April 2023 to February 2024, were included and divided into 2 groups ( n=30 each) using a random number table method: C 5-NRB group (group C) and T 2-ESPB group (group T). In group C, C 5-NRB was carried out by injecting 0.5% ropivacaine 5 ml. In group T, T 2-ESPB was performed by injecting 0.25% ropivacaine 30 ml. The efficacy of nerve block was assessed using a prick test at 30 min after administration, and then total intravenous anesthesia was performed in both groups. The time to first rescue analgesia (the non-inferiority boundary Δ =2 h), requirement for rescue analgesia within 24 h after operation and intraoperative consumption of anesthetics were recorded. The motor function of the affected limb during shoulder abduction, elbow flexion and elbow extension was assessed and scored using the modified Bromage scale (MBS) at 30 min and 4 and 12 h after nerve block. The diaphragmatic excursion was measured and recorded using M-mode ultrasound before nerve block and at 30 min after nerve block to evaluate the occurrence of diaphragmatic paralysis. Complications such as local anesthetic toxicity, recurrent laryngeal nerve block and pneumothorax were also recorded. Results:The mean difference (95% confidence interval) for the time to first rescue analgesia between the two groups was 5.551 (1.875-9.148) h, with the upper limit exceeding the non-inferiority boundary. Compared with group T, the intraoperative consumption of remifentanil was significantly reduced, the time to first rescue analgesia was prolonged, the consumption of morphine for rescue analgesia was decreased, MBS scores during shoulder abduction, elbow flexion and elbow extension were decreased at 30 min after block, and MBS scores during shoulder abduction and elbow flexion were decreased at 4 and 12 h after block in group C ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the diaphragmatic excursion, incidence of diaphragm paralysis and incidence of complications before and after block in the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:C 5-NRB provides superior efficacy compared to T 2-ESPB when used for arthroscopic shoulder surgery under general anesthesia.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of new nasopharyngeal airway and laryngeal mask airway for airway management in the patients undergoing non-intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (NIVATS).Methods:In this randomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial, 60 American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification I or Ⅱ patients of both sexes, aged 18-79 yr, scheduled for elective NIVATS from December 2021 to December 2023 at Jining No.1 People′s Hospital, were divided into 2 groups ( n=30 each) using a computer-generated random code in a 1∶1 ratio: new type nasopharyngeal airway group (group N) and laryngeal mask airway group (group L). After anesthesia induction, a new nasopharyngeal airway was inserted in group N, and a laryngeal mask airway was inserted in group L. Spontaneous ventilation was maintained during the NIVATS. Ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block was performed on the affected side before anesthesia induction. Anesthesia was maintained with propofol and remifentanil. The primary outcome measure was the rate of intraoperative airway intervention, the airway interventions included repositioning of the airway tools, manual assisted ventilation, jaw-thrust maneuver, and conversion to endotracheal intubation. The secondary outcome measures included the first-attempt success rate of airway device placement, time for establishing a patent airway, the minimum value of SpO 2, the maximum value of P ETCO 2, and incidence of complications such as postoperative sore throat. Results:The rate of intraoperative airway intervention was 27% in group L and 47% in group N ( χ2=2.58, P=0.108). The difference in the rate of intraoperative airway intervention between the two groups was 0.20 (95% confidence interval 0.15-0.25), with a 95% confidence interval upper limit higher than the non-inferiority boundary (10%), indicating that this non-inferiority hypothesis was not established. In comparison to group L, the rate of intraoperative jaw-thrust maneuver intervention was significantly increased, the time to establish a patent airway was shortened, and the incidence of postoperative sore throat was decreased in group N ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with the laryngeal mask airway, the new nasopharyngeal airway can reduce the development of postoperative throat pain, however, it is less effective in maintaining a patent airway. It requires careful consideration of risks and benefits when used for NIVATS.

In view of the complex adhesion and overlapping of whole heart image data on the luminance distribution,a novel adaptive geometric cutting tool for distinguished cutting or preservation of different tissues on the edge of the blade is proposed for efficiently eliminating the extra-cardiac tissues while preserving the epicardium and epicardial fat.The whole heart segmentation approach which simulate scalpel cutting and relative analysis algorithms are implemented by GPU programming.Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can provide virtual reality for whole heart and coronary artery details in real time from complex chest volume data,and offer graphic guiding for analysis and judgment of heart diseases.The proposed cutting method can be served as a quick culling tool for the organ remnant tissues which can't be appropriately segmented using the existing algorithms.

Objective To compare the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block(SGB)and paraveterbral nerve block(PVNB)for treating herpes zoster neuralgia in upper thoracic segment.Methods Ninety patients with herpes zoster neuralgia in upper thoracic segment who underwent nerve block treatments were retrospectively enrolled and divided into SGB group(n=43)and PVNB group(n=47)according to the therapeutic method,and the patients were followed-up till 1 month after the last time treatment.Treatment-related complications and whether other related treatments had been performed were recorded.Taken global impression of change(GIC)scores of 1-2 at 1 week after the last time treatment(T3)as clinically effective,the numerical rating scale(NRS)pain scores and allodynia before the first treatment(T0),1 week after the first treatment(T1),1 week after the second treatment(T2)and T3,as well as patients'GIC scores at T1,T2 and T3 were observed and compared between groups.Results After treatments,upper limb numbness and dizziness occurred in 2 and 9 cases in SGB group,respectively,also in 1 and 3 cases in PVNB group,respectively.The incidence of dizziness in SGB group was higher than that in PVNB group(20.93%[9/43]vs.6.38%[3/47],χ2=4.112,P=0.043).During follow-up period,18 cases(18/43,41.86%)in SGB group and 5 cases(5/47,10.64%)in PVNB group underwent other related treatments,and significant difference was found between groups(χ2=11.506,P=0.001).NRS pain scores,the incidence of allodynia and GIC scores at T1,T2 and T3 in SGB group were all higher than those in PVNB group(all P＜0.05),while clinically effective rate in SGB group was lower than that in PVNB group(53.49%[23/43]vs.91.49%[43/47],χ2=16.582,P＜0.001).Conclusion The efficacy of ultrasound-guided PVNB for treating herpes zoster neuralgia of upper thoracic segment was superior to that of SGB.

Objective:To compare the effects of erector spinae plane block at T 2 (T 2-ESPB) and nerve root block at C 5 (C 5-NRB) in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery with general anesthesia. Methods:This was a randomized, controlled, non-inferiority study. Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification I or Ⅱ patients, aged 45-75 yr, with body mass index ≤35 kg/m 2, scheduled for elective arthroscopic shoulder surgery at Jining No. 1 People′s Hospital from April 2023 to February 2024, were included and divided into 2 groups ( n=30 each) using a random number table method: C 5-NRB group (group C) and T 2-ESPB group (group T). In group C, C 5-NRB was carried out by injecting 0.5% ropivacaine 5 ml. In group T, T 2-ESPB was performed by injecting 0.25% ropivacaine 30 ml. The efficacy of nerve block was assessed using a prick test at 30 min after administration, and then total intravenous anesthesia was performed in both groups. The time to first rescue analgesia (the non-inferiority boundary Δ =2 h), requirement for rescue analgesia within 24 h after operation and intraoperative consumption of anesthetics were recorded. The motor function of the affected limb during shoulder abduction, elbow flexion and elbow extension was assessed and scored using the modified Bromage scale (MBS) at 30 min and 4 and 12 h after nerve block. The diaphragmatic excursion was measured and recorded using M-mode ultrasound before nerve block and at 30 min after nerve block to evaluate the occurrence of diaphragmatic paralysis. Complications such as local anesthetic toxicity, recurrent laryngeal nerve block and pneumothorax were also recorded. Results:The mean difference (95% confidence interval) for the time to first rescue analgesia between the two groups was 5.551 (1.875-9.148) h, with the upper limit exceeding the non-inferiority boundary. Compared with group T, the intraoperative consumption of remifentanil was significantly reduced, the time to first rescue analgesia was prolonged, the consumption of morphine for rescue analgesia was decreased, MBS scores during shoulder abduction, elbow flexion and elbow extension were decreased at 30 min after block, and MBS scores during shoulder abduction and elbow flexion were decreased at 4 and 12 h after block in group C ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the diaphragmatic excursion, incidence of diaphragm paralysis and incidence of complications before and after block in the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:C 5-NRB provides superior efficacy compared to T 2-ESPB when used for arthroscopic shoulder surgery under general anesthesia.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of new nasopharyngeal airway and laryngeal mask airway for airway management in the patients undergoing non-intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (NIVATS).Methods:In this randomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial, 60 American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification I or Ⅱ patients of both sexes, aged 18-79 yr, scheduled for elective NIVATS from December 2021 to December 2023 at Jining No.1 People′s Hospital, were divided into 2 groups ( n=30 each) using a computer-generated random code in a 1∶1 ratio: new type nasopharyngeal airway group (group N) and laryngeal mask airway group (group L). After anesthesia induction, a new nasopharyngeal airway was inserted in group N, and a laryngeal mask airway was inserted in group L. Spontaneous ventilation was maintained during the NIVATS. Ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block was performed on the affected side before anesthesia induction. Anesthesia was maintained with propofol and remifentanil. The primary outcome measure was the rate of intraoperative airway intervention, the airway interventions included repositioning of the airway tools, manual assisted ventilation, jaw-thrust maneuver, and conversion to endotracheal intubation. The secondary outcome measures included the first-attempt success rate of airway device placement, time for establishing a patent airway, the minimum value of SpO 2, the maximum value of P ETCO 2, and incidence of complications such as postoperative sore throat. Results:The rate of intraoperative airway intervention was 27% in group L and 47% in group N ( χ2=2.58, P=0.108). The difference in the rate of intraoperative airway intervention between the two groups was 0.20 (95% confidence interval 0.15-0.25), with a 95% confidence interval upper limit higher than the non-inferiority boundary (10%), indicating that this non-inferiority hypothesis was not established. In comparison to group L, the rate of intraoperative jaw-thrust maneuver intervention was significantly increased, the time to establish a patent airway was shortened, and the incidence of postoperative sore throat was decreased in group N ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with the laryngeal mask airway, the new nasopharyngeal airway can reduce the development of postoperative throat pain, however, it is less effective in maintaining a patent airway. It requires careful consideration of risks and benefits when used for NIVATS.

In view of the complex adhesion and overlapping of whole heart image data on the luminance distribution,a novel adaptive geometric cutting tool for distinguished cutting or preservation of different tissues on the edge of the blade is proposed for efficiently eliminating the extra-cardiac tissues while preserving the epicardium and epicardial fat.The whole heart segmentation approach which simulate scalpel cutting and relative analysis algorithms are implemented by GPU programming.Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can provide virtual reality for whole heart and coronary artery details in real time from complex chest volume data,and offer graphic guiding for analysis and judgment of heart diseases.The proposed cutting method can be served as a quick culling tool for the organ remnant tissues which can't be appropriately segmented using the existing algorithms.

Objective To compare the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block(SGB)and paraveterbral nerve block(PVNB)for treating herpes zoster neuralgia in upper thoracic segment.Methods Ninety patients with herpes zoster neuralgia in upper thoracic segment who underwent nerve block treatments were retrospectively enrolled and divided into SGB group(n=43)and PVNB group(n=47)according to the therapeutic method,and the patients were followed-up till 1 month after the last time treatment.Treatment-related complications and whether other related treatments had been performed were recorded.Taken global impression of change(GIC)scores of 1-2 at 1 week after the last time treatment(T3)as clinically effective,the numerical rating scale(NRS)pain scores and allodynia before the first treatment(T0),1 week after the first treatment(T1),1 week after the second treatment(T2)and T3,as well as patients'GIC scores at T1,T2 and T3 were observed and compared between groups.Results After treatments,upper limb numbness and dizziness occurred in 2 and 9 cases in SGB group,respectively,also in 1 and 3 cases in PVNB group,respectively.The incidence of dizziness in SGB group was higher than that in PVNB group(20.93%[9/43]vs.6.38%[3/47],χ2=4.112,P=0.043).During follow-up period,18 cases(18/43,41.86%)in SGB group and 5 cases(5/47,10.64%)in PVNB group underwent other related treatments,and significant difference was found between groups(χ2=11.506,P=0.001).NRS pain scores,the incidence of allodynia and GIC scores at T1,T2 and T3 in SGB group were all higher than those in PVNB group(all P＜0.05),while clinically effective rate in SGB group was lower than that in PVNB group(53.49%[23/43]vs.91.49%[43/47],χ2=16.582,P＜0.001).Conclusion The efficacy of ultrasound-guided PVNB for treating herpes zoster neuralgia of upper thoracic segment was superior to that of SGB.

Image registration is critical for clinical medical diagnosis and assisting surgical procedure.Using simulated X-ray and digital subtraction angiography(DSA)to generate digitally reconstructed radiograph(DRR)would improve the accuracy and speed of medical image registration.Herein an approach of using shading language to simultaneously generate the 3D render image and DRR from simulated X-ray or DSA is presented.The complex optimization and registration calculations are completed using the parallel calculation language(OpenCL),and the image processing unit(GPU)is used for DRR generation and 2D/3D registration.Experimental results show that the proposed method which relies on simulated X-ray or DSA for image registration can provide rapid and accurate visual guiding for surgical procedure.