Objective To reduce the energy consumption and cost of steam sterilizers at sterile supply centers .Methods Routine data of the steam sterilizers from January to June of 2016 were collected from one hospital in Changchun .Usage by timeframe of these sterilizers was analyzed , including their performance when they are powered on , standby (idle), and powered off and their energy expenditure at such states .Sustainable and stepwise energy saving strategy was developed , with the reduction of standby ( idle) period and energy saving amount of energy and cost .Results Usage of sterilizers was found with obvious peak and valley hours , while their standby hours during the latter were long and in a few timeframes . After implementation of the energy saving management strategy , their standby hours at various timeframes averaged ≤3 h (P<0.001).For six months, we reduced 5818 hours of standby time, 97 tons of steam, 2910 kW · h of electricity , saving cost over 30000 yuan ( 17％) .Conclusions The energy-saving management strategy could reduce the consumption of energy and cost effectively .

Objective To compare the risk of tumor invasion and metastasis under paravertebral block (PVB) combined with general anesthesia versus general anesthesia in the patients undergoing radical resection for lung cancer performed via video-assisted thoracoscope in terms of plasma concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9).Methods Forty ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients of both sexes,aged 30-64 yr,with body mass index of 18-25 kg/m2,scheduled for elective radical resection for lung cancer performed via video-assisted thoracoscope,were randomly divided into 2 groups (n =20 each) using a random number table:general anesthesia group (group G) and PVB combined with general anesthesia (group PG).PVB of T4-7 was performed successfully with local injection of 0.375％ ropivacaine 5 ml before induction of anesthesia.Double-lumen endotracheal tube was placed after induction of anesthesia,and the patients were mechanically ventilated.Anesthesia was maintained with inhalation of sevoflurane (end-tidal concentration 1％-2％),and intravenous infusion of remifentanil 0.2-0.3 μg · kg-1 · min-1,and intermittent intravenous boluses of atracurium.Before anesthesia and at 24 h after surgery,the venous blood samples were collected for measurement of plasma concentrations of VEGF and MMP-9.Results The plasma VEGF and MMP-9 concentrations were significantly lower after surgery in group PG than in group G.Conclusion PVB combined with general anesthesia significantly decreases the risk of tumor invasion and metastasis in the patients undergoing radical lung cancer resection performed via video-assisted thoracoscope in comparison to general anesthesia.