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Background: The COVID-19 outbreak disrupted medical access for patients receiving chronic opioid therapy. This study investigated their prescription opioid dosages before and after the 2020 outbreak in Taiwan. Methods: A prospective questionnaire survey was conducted among registered outpatients receiving long-term opioids before July 2019 in Taiwan. The questionnaire included items from the Taiwanese Brief Pain Inventory and quality of life assessment. Follow-up surveys in outpatient departments through October 2020 were conducted to collect opioid prescription data. Results: After a mean of 531 days, the questionnaire responses of 103 of the initial 117 respondents were reviewed. Daily opioid doses decreased for 31 respondents (30.1%), remained roughly equivalent (defined as ±2.5%) for 27 (26.2%), and increased for 45 (43.7%) after the first wave of the pandemic. The use of strong opioids and nonopioid medications did not significantly differ among the three groups, but less fentanyl patch use was noted in the decreased-dose group after the outbreak. More than 70% of the patients received daily high-dose opioids (≥90 morphine milligram equivalents); moreover, 60% reported constipation. No deaths due to opioid overdose occurred during the study period. Conclusions: The COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 did not interrupt access to long-term opioid prescriptions for most registered patients with chronic pain in Taiwan. Less fentanyl patch use was observed in participants whose opioid dose was tapering.

Objectives: The diagnosis of malignant hyperthermia (MH) is based on clinical signs or laboratory testing. The gold standard laboratory test is the in vitro contracture test, although it is invasive, expensive, and only performed at specialized centers. Genetic diagnosis is another option, although direct mutation screening is a laborious task. Therefore, we evaluated whether high-resolution melting (HRM) curve analysis could be used as a rapid screening tool to target MH-associated mutations. Materials and Methods: The feasibility of HRM analysis was evaluated using plasmids that were constructed by cloning wild-type or mutated versions of the ryanodine receptor 1 (RYR1) gene into the pCR2.1 plasmid. We obtained engineered plasmids and patient DNA extracted from blood samples with known wild-type or mutated sequences that are associated with MH. Amplicon lengths were kept relatively short (

This work proposes spinel Co0.5M0.5V2O4 (M = Fe or Zn) nanocomposites as novel anode materials for Li-ion storage. Their electronic properties are predicted through theoretical analysis. The equal ratio of binary metal mixed V–O matrix spinel compounds actively improved the cyclic and rate capacities. The Co0.5Zn0.5V2O4 (CZVO) composite exhibits higher cyclic and rate capacities than the bare CoV2O4 (CVO) and Co0.5Fe0.5V2O4 (CFVO) samples. The CZVO sample demonstrates a higher reversible discharge capacity of 434 mA h g−1 over 100 cycles at a current density of 200 mA g−1. However, it has showed a higher rate capacity (129 mA h g−1 at 5 A g−1) than the other prepared samples (40 mA h g−1 for bare CVO and 99 mA h g−1 for CFVO at 5 A g−1). The CZVO sample delivers superior electrochemical performance due to the conductivity improvements and a high order of the Co2+/Co3+ oxidation ratio. Thus, this report offers potential anode materials as an approach to improve binary metal mixed oxides for high-performance lithium storage applications in future.

Background: Long-term use of opioids for chronic noncancer pain is associated with sex hormone disturbances. The interferences with sex hormones, sexual function, and depression were investigated in patients with chronic noncancer pain. Methods: A cross-sectional multicenter survey was conducted on 170 officially registered outpatients receiving long-term opioid treatment in nine medical centers in Taiwan between October 2018 and July 2019. Serum sex hormone levels were examined after the collection of self-administered questionnaires containing the Taiwanese version of the Brief Pain Inventory, depressive status, and sexual function interference. Results: Among 117 (68.8%) questionnaire responses from 170 enrolled outpatients, 38 women and 62 men completed the sex hormone tests, among whom only 23 (23%) had previously received blood hormone tests. Low serum total testosterone levels were detected in 34 (89.5%) women (&lt, 30 ng/dL) and 31 (50%) men (&lt, 300 ng/dL). Over 60% of women and men reported reduced sexual desire and function despite a nearly 50% reduction in pain intensity and daily function interference over the previous week after opioid treatment. Women generally had higher risks of a depression diagnosis (p = 0.034) and severe depressive symptoms (p = 0.003) and nonsignificantly lower opioid treatment duration (median 81 vs. 120 months) and morphine milligram equivalent (median 134 vs. 165 mg/day) compared with men. Conclusions: This survey demonstrated the high prevalence of depression diagnosis, low sex hormone levels, and reduced sexual function among Taiwanese patients with chronic noncancer pain receiving prolonged opioid therapy. Regular hypogonadal screenings are recommended for further management.

During the processing of mango, a huge amount of peel is generated, which is environmentally problematic. In the present study, a compressional-puffing process was adopted to pretreat the peels of various mango cultivars, and then the bioactive compounds of mango peels were extracted by water or ethanol. The phenolic compound compositions as well as the free radical-scavenging, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities of water extract (WE) and ethanol extract (EE) from nonpuffed (NP) and compressional-puffed (CP) mango peels were further evaluated. It was found that compressional-puffing could increase the yield of extracts obtained from most mango varieties and could augment the polyphenol content of extracts from Jinhwang and Tainoung number 1 (TN1) cultivars. The WE and EE from TN1 exhibited the highest polyphenol content and the greatest free radical-scavenging activities among the mango cultivars tested. Seven phenolic compounds (gallic acid, pyrogallol, chlorogenic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-coumaric acid, ECG, and CG) were detected in CPWE (compressional-puffed water extract) and CPEE (compressional-puffed ethanol extract) from TN1, and antioxidant stability of both CPWE and CPEE was higher than that of vitamin C. Further biological experiments revealed that CPEE from TN1 possessed the strongest anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities, and thus it is recommended as a multibioactive agent, which may have applications in the food, cosmetic, and nutraceutical industries.

Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) in the rat femoral artery has been proposed as an experimental model of vasculitic peripheral neuropathy (VPN) which presents neuropathic pain and peripheral nerve injury patterns observed clinically. This study investigates the involvement of the proinflammatory signaling pathway underlying the peripheral mechanisms of VPN. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated to receive either a sham operation or IR. IR was induced by occluding the right femoral artery for 4 h followed by reperfusion periods from 0 to 72 h. The behavioral parameters were assessed at baseline as well as at days 1, 2 and 3 after reperfusion. The time-course analyses of proinflammatory mediators in the sciatic nerves were also performed on rats of the sham group or IR groups with reperfusion periods of 0, 2, 4, 24 and 72 h, respectively. The behavioral data confirmed that this VPN model induced hindpaw mechano-allodynia and heat hyperalgesia as well as impaired hindpaw grip strength. The molecular data revealed that IR in the femoral artery activated the expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the sciatic nerve indicating a neuroinflammatory response. Moreover, IR in the femoral artery increased the expression of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β in the sciatic nerve. This study elucidated the novel time-course expression profiles of NF-κB and proinflammatory cytokines in VPN induced by IR which may be involved in the development of neuropathic pain. Since NF-κB is a key element during neuroinflammation, strategies targeting the NF-κB signaling pathway may provide therapeutic potential against VPN induced by IR.

Background: Neuroinflammation is a hallmark in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) that induces secondary brain injury, leading to neuronal cell death. ER stress-triggered apoptosis and proteostasis disruption caused neuroinflammation to play an important role in various neurological disorders. The consequences of ER stress and proteostasis disruption have rarely been studied during the course of ICH development. Methods: ICH was induced by collagenase VII-S intrastriatal infusion. Animals were sacrificed at 0, 3, 6, 24, and 72 h post-ICH. Rats were determined for body weight changes, hematoma volume, and neurological deficits. Brain tissues were harvested for molecular signaling analysis either for ELISA, immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation, RT-qPCR, protein aggregation, or for histological examination. A non-selective proteasome inhibitor, MG132, was administered into the right striatum three hours prior to ICH induction. Results: ICH-induced acute proteasome over-activation caused the early degradation of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone GRP78 and I&kappa, B protein. These exacerbations were accompanied by the elevation of pro-apoptotic CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) and pro-inflammatory cytokines expression via nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-&kappa, B) signal activation. Pre-treatment with proteasome inhibitor MG132 significantly ameliorated the ICH-induced ER stress/proteostasis disruption, pro-inflammatory cytokines, neuronal cells apoptosis, and neurological deficits. Conclusions: ICH induced rapid proteasome over-activation, leading to an exaggeration of the ER stress/proteostasis disruption, and neuroinflammation might be a critical event in acute ICH pathology.

Vasculitic peripheral neuropathy (VPN) arises from an inflammatory obstruction in the blood vessels supplying peripheral nerves and subsequent ischaemic insults, which exhibits the clinical features of neuropathic pain and impaired peripheral nerve function. VPN induced by ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) has been reported to involve nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)-mediated neuroinflammation. Recent studies have suggested that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been implicated in the development of peripheral neuropathies. Resveratrol possesses a potent anti-inflammatory capacity. We hypothesized that resveratrol may exert a protective effect against VPN through modulating the interrelated ER stress and NF-κB pathways. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated into five groups: sham, sham + resveratrol 40 mg/kg (R40), IR, IR + R20 and IR + R40. VPN was induced by occluding the right femoral artery for 4 hours followed by reperfusion. Our data have shown that VPN induced by IR led to hind paw mechanical allodynia, heat hyperalgaesia, and impaired motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV). With resveratrol intervention, the behavioural parameters were improved in a dose-dependent manner and the MNCV levels were increased as well. The molecular data revealed that VPN induced by IR significantly increased the expression of NF-κB as well as the ER stress sensor proteins, protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase, inositol-requiring enzyme 1 and activating transcription factor 6 in the sciatic nerves. More importantly, resveratrol significantly attenuated the expression of NF-κB and the ER stress sensor proteins after IR. In conclusion, resveratrol alleviates VPN induced by IR. The mechanisms may involve modulating NF-κB-mediated neuroinflammation via suppressing ER stress.

Vasculitic peripheral neuropathy (VPN) is characterized by acute-to-subacute onset of painful sensory and motor disturbances that result from inflammatory obliteration of nerve blood vessels and subsequent ischaemic injury. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various peripheral neuropathies, and 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA) is a chemical chaperone that inhibits ER stress signaling. We investigated the effects of 4-PBA on neuropathic pain associated with VPN induced by ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) and its underlying mechanisms. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated to one of the following groups: sham, sham + 4-PBA, IR, and IR + 4-PBA. IR was achieved by occluding the femoral artery for 4 h followed by reperfusion. The behavioral parameters were assessed, and the expression of ER stress markers and nuclear factor (NF)-κB in sciatic nerves was measured. The behavioral data confirmed that VPN induced by IR leads to hindpaw mechano-allodynia and heat hyperalgesia as well as impaired hindpaw grip strength, indicating the development of neuropathic pain and debilitating symptoms of VPN. The molecular data revealed that VPN induced by IR activated ER stress sensors and effector molecules as well as NF-κB in the sciatic nerves, indicating the involvement of ER stress and NF-κB-mediated neuroinflammation. Notably, 4-PBA significantly reduced the expression of all these markers and improved all behavioral changes induced by IR. This study demonstrated that ER stress and NF-κB-mediated neuroinflammation contribute to VPN induced by IR and that 4-PBA has protective potential against neuropathic pain associated with VPN.

The recommender systems tend to face the problem of lacking clues about the new user, as a result, it is difficult for the system to provide users with the right recommendation results. In this study, the Interactive genetic algorithm is adapted to join with recommender system, and this new system is used to solve the problem of the traditional recommender system. In addition, this study proposes a double-layer encoding structure that involves the global and area encoding, which will help the optimization of interactive genetic algorithm (IGA) to solve the user fatigue problem. The case study testified that this recommended framework was able to rapidly filter vast amounts of data and to offer personalized recommendations for each film viewer. For future research, further studies on IGA that integrates analysis of screen genes to achieve a higher quality of recommendation and to further solve IGA user fatigue issues. Finally, this new recommender system was used to test film viewers in Taiwan and Hollywood films released in the past 12 years, and the experimental results show evidence that the new system is useful.

Spinel structure comprising Co and Mn with formula of Co(1−x)MnxV2O4 (x = 0, 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75) nanocomposite materials were successfully synthesized using solvothermal technique and incorporated in anode material for Li-ion storage for the first time. The specific surface area was tuned by altering the Co and Mn atomic ratios in the CoV2O4 structure. The specific surface areas of 26.94, 25.49, 29.82, and 8.54 m2/g were obtained for CoV2O4, Co0.75Mn0.25V2O4, Co0.50Mn0.50V2O4, and Co0.75Mn0.25V2O4, respectively. Besides, the resultant product physicochemical and electrochemical properties were systematically characterized. An eco-friendly and water-based carboxyl methyl cellulose with styrene butadiene rubber (CMC/SBR) binder was used to prepare an active electrode. The sample with equal concentrations of Co and Mn in the V O matrix exhibited a higher reversible specific capacity and rate performance than other concentration of Mn-doped samples. A specific capacity of 1364.47 mAh/g was obtained at a current density of 0.1 A/g over 100 cycles. The high cyclic and rate performance were mainly attributed to a large surface area with fine adhesion between active materials and a current collector. The theoretical calculations of CoV2O4 and Co0.5Mn0.5V2O4 indicated that band gaps decreased after Mn substitution, which could explain rate capability of Mn-substitute one demonstrate much better performance. The results indicate that composition-optimized Co0.5Mn0.5V2O4 anode is a potential candidate for Li-ion battery applications.

Objective: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is usually associated with moderate-to-severe postoperative pain. Our study investigated the possible benefits of the use of nerve blocks (NBs), including pain score reduction, the rescuing dosage of morphine, the timing of ambulation, and the length of stay (LOS) in the hospital. Materials and Methods: We included patients who underwent unilateral primary TKA due to primary knee osteoarthritis under general anesthesia with laryngeal mask airway. The control group only received oral pain medication with rescuing morphine injections, whereas the NB group received oral pain medication with an NB and rescuing morphine injections. We collected data on the patients' basic characteristics, postoperative visual analog scale (VAS), the dosage of rescuing morphine over 3 days, time to ambulation, and LOS in the hospital. Results: The NB group received significantly fewer morphine dose compared with the control group during postoperative days 1 to 3. There were no statistically significant differences between the NB and control groups on days 1 and 2 in the VAS score, and the VAS score was significantly lower in the NB group on postoperative day 3. The NB group had a significantly shorter time to ambulation compared with the control group. LOS did not differ significantly between the NB and control groups. Conclusion: Patients, who underwent TKA under general anesthesia with laryngeal mask airway (LMAGA) receiving NB for postoperative pain, needed less dosage of morphine and had the trend of having lower VAS. There was no association with LOS between two groups, but time to ambulation might be decreased with NB group. Some limitations might need to be further investigated in future study, such as NB regimens, knee function after TKA, muscle power, information after discharge, and NB-related complications.

The three-dimensional real-space observation of photonic nanojet-induced modes in a chain of microspheres with different diameters is reported. The optical transmission properties of a chain of microspheres are studied by using high resolution finite-difference time-domain calculation. The photonic nanojet-induced modes in different chains of microspheres are measured by using a scanning optical microscope system with an optical-fiber probe. We observe the photonic nanojet-induced modes from optical microscope images for chains of 3 μm, 5 μm, and 8 μm microspheres deposited on a patterned silicon substrate. The incident beam can be periodically reproduced in chains of dielectric microspheres giving rise to lossless periodically optical focusing with period of two diameters. Detailed theoretical and experimental data on the transmission, scattering loss, and field-of-view are presented. This waveguide technique can be used in biomedical microscopy, ultra-precise laser process, microfluidics, and nanophotonic circuits.

Objective The aim of this anatomical study was to establish the likely spread of local anesthetics in vivo and the segmental nerve involvement resulting from ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus blocks and supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks. Materials and Methods We performed ultrasound-guided injections of different alinine dyes into the right brachial plexus at the interscalene and supraclavicular levels in seven fresh human cadavers. We then dissected the cadavers to determine the extent of dye spread and the nerve that was dyed. Results The cadavers provided excellent sonographic images during nerve blocks. After excluding one pilot specimen, six right brachial plexus blocks were successfully performed and dissected. The extent of dye spread and nerve involvement were different in the interscalene brachial plexus blocks and supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks. The phrenic nerve with dye was identified in the interscalene brachial plexus block. Conclusion This study showed that the extent of dye spread and nerve involvement differs in interscalene and supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks. Phrenic nerve involvement in the interscalene block was confirmed through dissection. Fresh human cadavers, by providing excellent sono-graphic images, are potential learning and practice models in ultrasound-guided brachial plexus blocks.

Chronic sleep disturbance–induced stress is known to increase basal pain sensitivity. However, most surgical patients frequently report short-term sleep disturbance/deprivation during the pre- and postoperation periods and have normal pain perception presurgery. Whether this short-term sleep disturbance affects postsurgical pain is elusive. Here, we report that pre- or postexposure to rapid eye movement sleep disturbance (REMSD) for 6 hours daily for 3 consecutive days did not alter basal responses to mechanical, heat, and cold stimuli, but did delay recovery in incision-induced reductions in paw withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimulation and paw withdrawal latencies to heat and cold stimuli on the ipsilateral side of male or female rats. This short-term REMSD led to stress shown by an increase in swim immobility time, a decrease in sucrose consumption, and an increase in the level of corticosterone in serum. Blocking this stress via intrathecal RU38486 or bilateral adrenalectomy abolished REMSD-caused delay in recovery of incision-induced reductions in behavioral responses to mechanical, heat, and cold stimuli. Moreover, this short-term REMSD produced significant reductions in the levels of mu opioid receptor and kappa opioid receptor, but not Kv1.2, in the ipsilateral L 4/5 spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia on day 9 after incision (but not after sham surgery). Perspective Our findings show that short-term sleep disturbance either pre- or postsurgery does not alter basal pain perception, but does exacerbate postsurgical pain hypersensitivity. The latter may be related to the reductions of mu and kappa opioid receptors in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia caused by REMSD plus incision. Prevention of short-term sleep disturbance may help recovery from postsurgical pain in patients.

Objective GlideScope ® provides better laryngoscopic view and is advantageous in tracheal intubation in ankylosing spondylitis patients with difficult airway. Methods This study was performed to investigate the use of the GlideScope ® for tracheal intubation in 15 patients wearing halo vests scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia. Preoperative airway assessments were evaluated to predict the difficulty of tracheal intubation. Before intubation, all patients were given a modified Cormack and Lehane (MCLS) grade and percentage of glottic opening (POGO) score by the intubating anesthesiologist having resorted to direct laryngoscopy (DL) with a Macintosh Size 3 blade depiction. Then intubation with the GlideScope ® was performed, during which the larynx was inspected and given another MCLS grade and POGO score. Results Fourteen of the 15 patients had MCLS Grade III or IV by direct Macintosh laryngoscopy and were considered to have a difficult laryngoscopy. Nasal tracheal intubation by the GlideScope ® was successful on all occasions. The GlideScope ® improved the MCLS grade and POGO score in all patients who had put on a halo vest as compared with those on DL ( p ® also provided a better laryngoscopic view than that by a DL. All of the patients who wore halo vests and presented with suspected difficult airways could be intubated successfully with the GlideScope ® . Conclusion The use of the GlideScope ® for tracheal intubation could be an alternative option in patients with a difficult airway, whose surgery was circumscribed under general anesthesia with tracheal intubation.

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with parenteral opioids is associated with a high incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of dexamethasone plus haloperidol with dexamethasone plus ondansetron for the prevention of PCA-related PONV. Patients who received dexamethasone alone were used as controls.A total of 135 female patients (n = 45 in each of three groups) were eligible to participate in this randomized trial. A total of 135 female patients (n = 45 in each of three groups) were eligible to participate in this randomized trial. Dexamethasone 5 mg IV was administered after the induction of anesthesia in dexamethasone group (group D) patients. Patients in the dexamethasone plus haloperidol group (group DH) and in the dexamethasone plus ondansetron (group DO) further received haloperidol 2 mg IM or ondansetron 4 mg IV, respectively, 30 min before the end of surgery. The complete response rates, incidence of PONV, need for rescue medication, average pain and sedation scores, recovery times, and adverse events were observed postoperatively.The incidences of total PONV in the first 24 h in groups DH (35%) and DO (30%) were significantly lower than those of group D (57%) (p0.05 for each comparison). The differences between groups DH and DO were insignificant. The incidence of PONV was significantly smaller in the DH and DO groups than predicted by the patients’ underlying risks. Pain scores, sedation scores, and recovery times were similar among the three study groups, and no clinically relevant prolongation of the electrocardiographic QTc interval was observed in any patient. conclusions: Dexamethasone 5 mg with either haloperidol 2 mg or ondansetron 4 mg provides a better antiemetic effect than dexamethasone 5 mg alone in patients receiving postoperative morphine PCA.

Objectives Tracheal intubation is used to maintain a patent airway and can occasionally be difficult in a potentially difficult airway, especially for novice managers. In this study, we evaluated the time required, extent of the difficulty, and number of dental clicks in the tracheal intubation for novice medical students between the Macintosh (Truphatek International Ltd, Netanya, Israel) and 3 video laryngoscopes in normal and difficult simulated intubation positions on manikins on both the table and floor. Methods We recruited 20 medical students as novice airway managers. They used the Macintosh, Truview (Truphatek International Ltd, Netanya, Israel), Glidescope (Verathon Inc., Bothell, WA), and Airway Scope (AWS) (Pentax Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) laryngoscopes in normal and difficult simulated airways on manikins on both the table and floor. The time to intubate, modified Cormack-Lehane score, intubation difficulty score, and dental click number were estimated and compared. Results All 20 medical students completed the study. The AWS required the shortest intubation time, provided the best glottic view and easiest intubation, and resulted in less dental clicks compared with the other 3 laryngoscopes; these phenomena were particularly prominent in the cervical-spine immobilization position on the floor. Although all video laryngoscopes provided better glottic views than the Macintosh laryngoscopy in terms of time to intubate, intubation difficulty score, and the number of dental clicks, the outcomes from the Macintosh laryngoscope were better than those of the Truview and Glidescope. Conclusions The AWS may have the potential for quicker, easier, and safer tracheal intubation in scenarios involving difficult airways for a novice airway manager.

Innominate arterial wall rupture with pseudoaneurysm formation was found during angiography in a 39-year-old woman 2 days after she had undergone percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy. Endovascular stent surgery and balloon angioplasty were performed but these procedures failed to control the massive bleeding resulting from an endoleak. We report the clinical presentations and describe the treatment of a tracheo-innominate artery fistula in our patient. We also reviewed the algorithms of management and the rescue options for treating a tracheo-innominate artery fistula.

Anesthesia for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients with difficult airway is of great stress to anesthesiologists. If tracheal intubation is not mandatory for general anesthesia, laryngeal mask airway (LMA) may suffice for adequate ventilation. Yet, in certain circumstances, no one can guarantee that LMA will reliably serve the purpose in surgical AS patients, especially in operations performed in the lateral decubitus position. We present here an AS patient with difficult airway scheduled for hip surgery. General anesthesia with sevoflurane conveyed by an LMA through spontaneous ventilation in the lateral decubitus position was planned, and the induction was smoothly done. Unfortunately, laryngospasm and oxygen desaturation occurred during the operation; the patient was successfully rescued by nasal intubation with a GlideScope® in the lateral decubitus position without interrupting the operation.

We presented the fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) based on two-photon microscopy system to access physical parameters that give rise to fluctuations in fluorescence signal. As given excitation volume, the diffusion coefficient of molecules due to Brownian Movement into or out of excitation volume is determined. Further, depended on autocorrelation analysis based on diffusion coefficients of molecules, the fraction of bound species from measured samples containing the dye labeled anti-rabbit IgG and rabbit IgG can be separated. The mean standard deviation of diffusion coefficient measurement in our two-photon based system is about 0.064. The changes of diffusion coefficient with 15 nM concentration solution of fluorescein are 246.173 um^2/s to 35.1626 um^2/s with different concentration solution of glycerol ranging from 2.5% to 40%. Moreover, the maximal binding fraction of kinetics mode and end mode between Anti-Rabbit IgG and Rabbit IgG is 60% and 73%, respectively.

Background Chronic stress has been reported to increase basal pain sensitivity and/or exacerbate existing persistent pain. However, most surgical patients have normal physiological and psychological health status such as normal pain perception before surgery although they do experience short-term stress during pre- and post-operative periods. Whether or not this short-term stress affects persistent postsurgical pain is unclear. Results In this study, we showed that pre- or post-surgical exposure to immobilization 6 h daily for three consecutive days did not change basal responses to mechanical, thermal, or cold stimuli or peak levels of incision-induced hypersensitivity to these stimuli; however, immobilization did prolong the duration of incision-induced hypersensitivity in both male and female rats. These phenomena were also observed in post-surgical exposure to forced swimming 25 min daily for 3 consecutive days. Short-term stress induced by immobilization was demonstrated by an elevation in the level of serum corticosterone, an increase in swim immobility, and a decrease in sucrose consumption. Blocking this short-term stress via intrathecal administration of a selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, RU38486, or bilateral adrenalectomy significantly attenuated the prolongation of incision-induced hypersensitivity to mechanical, thermal, and cold stimuli. Conclusion Our results indicate that short-term stress during the pre- or post-operative period delays postoperative pain recovery although it does not affect basal pain perception. Prevention of short-term stress may facilitate patients’ recovery from postoperative pain.

Objective Inhalation anesthetics increase heart rate (HR) in vivo in both animals and humans but decrease heart rate in isolated hearts. Clinical studies indicate that insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is associated with alterations in autonomic nervous system control of cardiovascular function. The specific aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of different inhalation anesthetics on cardiovascular autonomic function in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods We measured blood pressure variability (BPV) in streptozotocin (STZ, 60 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats and vehicle control groups exposed to different inhalation anesthetics (halothane, desflurane and sevoflurane) and BPV was recorded until the recovery stage. Frequency-domain analysis of telemetric systemic arterial pressure and pulse-pulse interval were applied to quantify the parameters of BPV. High frequency power (HF) was regarded as cardiac vagal modulation. Low frequency power of BPV (BLF) was referred to as vascular sympathetic modulation. Normalized low-frequency power (LF%) of the spectrogram of the RR interval was regarded as cardiac sympathetic modulation. Results STZ-induced diabetes was associated with a significant reduction of HR but not consistently with a higher HF among these volatile anesthetics. BLF was significantly decreased at one minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of desflurane when compared with halothane and sevoflurane in the STZ-induced diabetic group. We found an early recovery of the BLF to awake stage baseline values 30 minutes post-anesthesia for sevoflurane, although it was not significant when compared with the other two anesthetics. However, the LF% significantly recovered to 80% of awake baseline values with desflurane and sevoflurane when compared with halothane 30 minutes post-anesthesia. Conclusion The components of sympathetic regulation (BLF and LF%) may be an early sign of hemodynamic recovery to the awake stage during anesthesia in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Our results provide an indication for clinical anesthetic choice in diabetes patients receiving anesthesia.