Objective:To investigate the effects of prophylactic analgesia using erector spinae plane block (ESPB) combined with ketorolac tromethamine on postoperative analgesia and early recovery of patients undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy.Methods:A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. A total of 105 gastric cancer patients who underwent laparoscopic radical gastrectomy in Heji Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College from June 2022 to October 2023 were selected, and the patients were divided into ESPB+ketorolac tromethamine group (T group), ESPB group (C1 group), and ketorolac tromethamine group (C2 group) by using the random number table method, with 35 cases in each group. The prophylactic analgesia method was preoperative ESPB + ketorolac tromethamine in T group, preoperative ESPB in C1 group and preoperative ketorolac tromethamine in C2 group. The intraoperative sufentanil and remifentanil dosage and the postoperative resting pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, remedial analgesia, recovery status and complication occurrence were compared among the 3 groups.Results:The baseline characteristics and intraoperative conditions of the patients in the 3 groups were compared, and the differences were not statistically significant (all P > 0.05). The intraoperative sufentanil dosage in T group was less than that in C1 and C2 groups [30 (25, 30) μg vs. 35 (30, 35) μg vs. 40 (35, 45) μg], and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = 33.03, P < 0.001); the intraoperative remifentanil dosage in T group was less than that in C1 and C2 groups [0.34 (0.30, 0.40) mg vs. 0.40 (0.30, 0.50) mg vs. 0.70 (0.60, 0.85) mg], and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = 53.84, P < 0.001). The VAS scores at 1, 6, 12, 24, 48 h after surgery in T group were lower than those in C1 and C2 groups, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.001). The press number of analgesic pump in T group was less than that in C1 and C2 groups [1 (0, 2) times vs. 2 (1, 2) times vs. 4 (3, 5) times], and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = 48.10, P < 0.001). The postoperative first time of exhaust and get out of bed and days of hospital stay in T group were shorter than those in C1 and C2 groups, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.001). The differences in the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, dizziness, pruritus, pneumonia, and anastomotic fistula among the 3 groups were not statistically significant (all P > 0.05). None of the 3 groups experienced postoperative drowsiness, hypotension or respiratory depression. Conclusions:Prophylactic analgesia using ESPB combined with ketorolac tromethamine can effectively reduce the postoperative pain of patients undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy, reduce the use of analgesic drugs, and promote the early recovery of the patients in the postoperative period without increasing the postoperative complications.

Objective:To investigate the effects of prophylactic analgesia using erector spinae plane block (ESPB) combined with ketorolac tromethamine on postoperative analgesia and early recovery of patients undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy.Methods:A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. A total of 105 gastric cancer patients who underwent laparoscopic radical gastrectomy in Heji Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College from June 2022 to October 2023 were selected, and the patients were divided into ESPB+ketorolac tromethamine group (T group), ESPB group (C1 group), and ketorolac tromethamine group (C2 group) by using the random number table method, with 35 cases in each group. The prophylactic analgesia method was preoperative ESPB + ketorolac tromethamine in T group, preoperative ESPB in C1 group and preoperative ketorolac tromethamine in C2 group. The intraoperative sufentanil and remifentanil dosage and the postoperative resting pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, remedial analgesia, recovery status and complication occurrence were compared among the 3 groups.Results:The baseline characteristics and intraoperative conditions of the patients in the 3 groups were compared, and the differences were not statistically significant (all P > 0.05). The intraoperative sufentanil dosage in T group was less than that in C1 and C2 groups [30 (25, 30) μg vs. 35 (30, 35) μg vs. 40 (35, 45) μg], and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = 33.03, P < 0.001); the intraoperative remifentanil dosage in T group was less than that in C1 and C2 groups [0.34 (0.30, 0.40) mg vs. 0.40 (0.30, 0.50) mg vs. 0.70 (0.60, 0.85) mg], and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = 53.84, P < 0.001). The VAS scores at 1, 6, 12, 24, 48 h after surgery in T group were lower than those in C1 and C2 groups, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.001). The press number of analgesic pump in T group was less than that in C1 and C2 groups [1 (0, 2) times vs. 2 (1, 2) times vs. 4 (3, 5) times], and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = 48.10, P < 0.001). The postoperative first time of exhaust and get out of bed and days of hospital stay in T group were shorter than those in C1 and C2 groups, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.001). The differences in the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, dizziness, pruritus, pneumonia, and anastomotic fistula among the 3 groups were not statistically significant (all P > 0.05). None of the 3 groups experienced postoperative drowsiness, hypotension or respiratory depression. Conclusions:Prophylactic analgesia using ESPB combined with ketorolac tromethamine can effectively reduce the postoperative pain of patients undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy, reduce the use of analgesic drugs, and promote the early recovery of the patients in the postoperative period without increasing the postoperative complications.

Objective:To study the clinical characteristics and management strategies of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in high-altitude areas.Methods:An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in 79 stable COPD patients who visited the outpatient of Respiratory Medicine at Tibet Autonomous Region People′s Hospital and Peking University Third Hospital from August 3 rd 2020 to November 30 th 2020. Patients were divided into Lhasa group ( n=44) and Beijing group ( n=35). The differences of clinical characteristics including demographic characteristics, risk factors, respiratory symptoms, comorbidities, medications and spirometry were analyzed. Further comparative analysis was conducted on the clinical characteristics of smokers ( n=15) and non-smokers ( n=29) in Lhasa group. Results:The proportion of female patients and biofuel exposure in Lhasa group was significantly higher than Beijing group (56.8% vs 0, 86.4% vs 0, both P<0.001). The proportion of smokers in Lhasa group was significantly lower than Beijing group (34.1% vs 100%, P<0.001). The mean score of COPD assessment test (CAT) in Lhasa group was significantly higher than Beijing group (21.27 vs 9.17, P<0.001). The proportion of acute exacerbations ≥2 in the past year in Lhasa group was significantly higher than Beijing group (31.8% vs 11.4%, P=0.032). The median percentage of forced vital capacity in the first second of predicted value (FEV 1%pred) of patients in Lhasa group was significantly higher than Beijing group (63% vs 38%, P<0.001). The proportion of patients treated by inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β 2-agonist (ICS/LABA) and inhaled long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) in Lhasa group was significantly lower than Beijing group (4.5% vs 60.0%, 0 vs 65.7%, both P<0.001). There were no significant differences in CAT score, number of acute exacerbations in the past year and lung function between smokers and non-smokers in Lhasa group. Conclusions:Compared with those patients in Beijing, the majority of patients with COPD living in Lhasa are female, with a low proportion of smokers and a high proportion of biofuel exposure. Although their lung function is better, their respiratory symptoms are more severe with more acute exacerbations in the past year, and most patients do not receive standardized medication.

Objective:To assess the effectiveness and feasibility of carrier detection for Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) by using digital PCR assay.Methods:Peripheral blood samples were collected from 214 pregnant women who were routinely screened for SMA carriers, of which 204 were randomly selected samples and 10 were samples with known copy numbers of SMN1 exons 7 and 8. Samples with known copy numbers of SMN1 exons 7 and 8 were randomly mixed into the experiment to validate the performance of the digital PCR assay. The copy numbers of SMN1 exons 7 and 8 and SMN2 exons 7 and 8 in peripheral blood samples were detected by digital PCR assay. The results of SMN1 exons 7 and 8 were compared with those of the quantitative PCR method to assess the reliability and clinical performance of the digital PCR assay. Results:Among the 204 random samples, digital PCR has detected five samples with simultaneous heterozygous deletion of SMN1 exons 7 and 8, three samples with heterozygous deletion of SMN1 exon 8 only, and 196 samples with no deletion of SMN1 exons 7 and 8. Ten samples with known SMN1 exons 7 and 8 copy numbers were detected with the expected values. The digital PCR test results were fully consistent with that of the quantitative PCR. Conclusion:The results of digital PCR for the detection of copy number variation of SMN1 exons 7 and 8 were consistent with qPCR. Digital PCR assay was able to clearly distinguish the copy number of the target genes, therefore can be used for SMA carrier screening. Moreover, it can also detect copy number of SMN2 exons 7 and 8, which can provide more information for genetic counseling.

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility, accuracy, effectiveness and safety of a novel manual placement of cervical 7 pedicle screws via the posterior approach of cervicothoracic junction.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the 35 patients with injury to the lower cervical spine or cervicothoracic junction who had been treated by a novel manual placement of cervical 7 pedicle screws at Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March 2015 to July 2021. There were 16 males and 19 females, with an age of (52.7±13.2) years. The core of this placement was to determine the entry point of cervical 7 pedicle screws. After the intersection of the upper edge of the cervical 7 lamina and the medial edge of the superior articular process was recorded as point A while the intersection of the lateral edge of the inferior articular process and the lower edge of the transverse process as point B, the intersection of the outer and middle 1/3 of the AB line was taken as the screw entry point, with the screw placement angle perpendicular to the lamina line or slightly inclined from 30° to 40° to the head side and outward. The length, diameter and placement angle of the cervical 7 pedicle screws were recorded and compared postoperatively between the left and right sides to explore the feasibility of this novel manual placement. According to the Rampersaud method, the screw positions were graded 1 week and 6 months after operation to evaluate the accuracy of this manual placement. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score were compared between preoperation, 1 week and 6 months after operation to evaluate the effectiveness of this placement. The postoperative complications were counted to evaluate the safety of this method. Loosening, displacement and breakage of the screws were observed by CT scanning at 6 months after operation.Results:This case series was followed up for (9.8±1.7) months. There was no significant difference in the length, diameter or placement angle of the screws between the left and right sides ( P>0.05). A total of 66 cervical 7 pedicle screws were placed. There was no change in the screw position grading at 1 week or 6 months after surgery. Grade A was achieved in 64 screws, Grade B in 2 screws, and Grade C or D in none. The VAS scores before operation, 1 week and 6 months after operation were respectively 4.4±1.7, 3.8±1.0 and 1.1±1.1, and the JOA scores respectively 6.7±2.2, 13.2±1.5 and 15.3±1.2. The VAS and JOA scores at 1 week and 6 months after operation were significantly improved compared with the preoperative values ( P<0.05). The improvement rates in JOA at 1 week and 6 months after operation were 62.7%±13.3 % and 83.9%±11.6%, respectively. There were no complications related to the placement of cervical 7 pedicle screws; there was no wound hematoma or infection. No loosening, displacement or breakage of the screws was observed by the 6-month follow-up. Conclusion:The novel manual placement of cervical 7 pedicle screws via the posterior approach of cervicothoracic junction is feasible, accurate, effective and safe.

Aortic aneurysm (AA) is a vascular disease involving the progressive dilation of aorta diameter. It is usually asymptomatic but with high mortality once rupture. Currently, there is no effective pharmacologic treatment. MicroRNA specifically refers to non-coding small RNAs consisting of 19-25 nucleotides. The characteristic of microRNA targeting multiple genes seems to form a complicated regulation network, which receives considerable attention. Emerging studies show that microRNAs are closely related to the occurrence and development of AA. Many microRNAs are involved in multiple cell processes and functions and may participate in the pathogenesis of AA, including endothelial cell dysfunction, inflammatory cell infiltration, smooth muscle cell apoptosis, and extracellular matrix degradation. This article will describe the animal models for AA research and the latest progression of microRNA and AA.

Objective:To observe the motor capacity of patients early after cardiac surgery using a cardiopulmonary exercise test.Methods:Patients who had performed a cardiopulmonary exercise test within 3 months after cardiac surgery were included in this retrospective study. Patients who took the test within 30 days of the operation formed a discharge group ( n=20), those within 30 to 60 days and 60 to 90 days formed the one month and two month groups ( n=10 for both). The discharge group was further divided into an aortic surgery group ( n=9), a bypass surgery group ( n=6) and a valve surgery group ( n=5) according to their procedure. The exercise capacity of each person was measured in terms of the changes in heart rate and systolic pressure from the resting to the anaerobic threshold stage. Anaerobic threshold, peak oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide ventilation equivalent were also recorded. Results:All of the patients completed the cardiopulmonary exercise test above the anaerobic threshold, and no adverse events such as exercise accidents occurred. At the anaerobic threshold the average heart rate of the discharge group was (8.8±7.1)bpm, significantly lower than the averages of the one month and two months groups: (17.0±5.9) and (18.3±10.5)bpm respectively. The average anaerobic thresholds and peak oxygen uptakes of the 1 month and 2 months groups were not significantly different, but they were all significantly higher than the discharge group′s averages. There were, however, no significant differences among the groups in the average changes in their systolic pressure and carbon dioxide ventilation equivalent. Moreover, the average anaerobic threshold and peak oxygen uptake of the aortic surgery group and the bypass surgery group were significantly lower than the valve surgery group′s averages.Conclusions:Postoperative motor ability after cardiac surgery improves significantly for at least 30 days. Patients who have received aortic or bypass surgery have significantly lower exercise capacity than those after valve surgery.

2019 Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) destroys angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and breaks the balance of renin-angiotension system (RAS) by interacting with ACE2. The imbalance of RAS takes part in the development of organ injury of different systems through pro-inflammation, oxidative stress, cell proliferation and so on. 2019-nCoV not only attacks the lung, but also influences many other systems. It is speculated that RAS imbalance plays an important role in the development of multi-organ dysfunction caused by 2019-nCoV, and the usage of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blocker (ACEI/ARB) may become a new treatment of 2019-nCoV-related organ injury. Further studies are need to confirm the relationship between coronavirus infection, multi-organ injury and RAS imbalance.

Early brain injury (EBI) refers to the direct damage and secondary pathophysiological changes of brain tissue within 72 h after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Studies have shown that a variety of signaling pathways are involved in the mechanism of EBI, such as ecoxy chloropropane Kelch sample related protein-1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB pathway, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway. This article reviews the mechanisms of action of different signaling pathways involved in EBI.

Objective To understand the ability and level of emergency rescue at general hospitals in Tianjin city. Methods Such actions as formulating plans and examination forms, establishing assessment indicators and evaluation criteria, and simulation exercises were performed to evaluate the capacity of 28 general hospitals in terms of their organizational structure, emergency response, event reporting, and summary assessment. Results The emergency response assessment system consisted of 4 level-1 indicators, 19 level-2 indicators and 58 level-3 indicators. 28 hospitals were found high in their overall emergency response capacity, but some were found with setbacks. For example, the " organizational structure" scored the highest in 4 first-level indicators, up to 88. 91％ , while " incident report" scored the lowest, down to 67. 99％ . Among level-2 indicators, professional emergency professional procedures and initial reporting scored the lowest. Conclusions In order to further improve the ability of medical institutions to respond to emergency events, the hospitals are recommended to enhance their backup resources for emergency response, their staff′s awareness of first aid knowledge and first aid skills, as well as their timeliness of initial reports and the completeness of progress reports.