Silicon Reduces Aluminum-Induced Suberization by Inhibiting the Uptake and Transport of Aluminum in Rice Roots and Consequently Promotes Root Growth

Silicon (Si) can alleviate aluminum (Al) toxicity in rice (Oryza sativa L.), but the mechanisms underlying this beneficial effect have not been elucidated, especially under long-term Al stress. Here, the effects of Al and Si on the suberization and development of rice roots were investigated. The results show that, as the Al exposure time increased, the roots accumulated more Al, and Al enhanced the deposition of suberin in roots, both of which ultimately inhibited root growth and nutrient absorption. However, Si restricted the apoplastic and symplastic pathways of Al in roots by inhibiting the uptake and transport of Al, thereby reducing the accumulation of Al in roots. Meanwhile, the Si-induced drop in Al concentration reduced the suberization of roots caused by Al through down-regulating the expression of genes related to suberin synthesis and then promoted the development of roots (such as longer and more adventitious roots and lateral roots). Moreover, Si also increased nutrient uptake by Al-stressed roots and thence promoted the growth of rice. Overall, these results indicate that Si reduced Al-induced suberization of roots by inhibiting the uptake and transport of Al in roots, thereby amending root growth and ultimately alleviating Al stress in rice. Our study further clarified the toxicity mechanism of Al in rice and the role of Si in reducing Al content and restoring root development under Al stress

Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block for perioperative analgesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy surgery: A randomized controlled trial

Study objective: Kidney neoplasms have a high incidence, and radical nephrectomy or partial nephrectomy are the main treatment options. Our study aims to investigate the use of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block for perioperative analgesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy surgery. Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blind. Setting: University hospital. Patients: Our study included 50 patients (ASA I-III) who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy at the hospital of Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University. Interventions: The patients were divided into two groups: the ESPB group and the control group. In the ESPB group, a mixture of 10 mL of 1% lidocaine, 10 mL of 0.7% ropivacaine, 0.5 μg/kg dexmedetomidine, and 5 mg of dexamethasone was administered. In the control group, 20 mL of 0.9% saline was administered. Measurements: The primary outcome measure was the total consumption of sufentanil during the intraoperative period. Secondary outcome measures included visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores at rest and during coughing at 1 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h postoperatively, intraoperative consumption of remifentanil, frequency of rescue analgesic administration, consumption of rescue analgesia and incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting within 48 h. Results: The ESPB group exhibited lower intraoperative consumption of sufentanil, lower consumption of rescue analgesia, as well as VAS scores at rest and during coughing within the first 24 h postoperatively, compared to the control group. However, no significant differences were observed in VAS scores at 48 h postoperatively, postoperative nausea and vomiting, or the need for postoperative rescue analgesia. Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided ESPB performed in patients who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy demonstrated a substantial decrease in intraoperative opioid consumption, as well as lower VAS scores at rest and during coughing in the postoperative period