Introduction: Magnesium sulfate has emerged as an important drug to alleviate the pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, the use of magnesium sulfate for pain control after laparoscopic cholecystectomy has not been well established. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of magnesium sulfate on pain control after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Materials and Methods: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials are searched. Randomized controlled trials assessing the influence of magnesium sulfate treatment versus placebo on pain control after laparoscopic cholecystectomy are included. Two investigators have independently searched articles, extracted data, and assessed the quality of included studies. This meta-analysis is performed using the random-effect model. Results: Four randomized controlled trials involving 263 patients are included in the meta-analysis. Compared with control intervention after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, magnesium sulfate can substantially decrease pain scores at 2 hours [standard mean differences (MD)=−0.45; 95% confidence interval (CI)=−0.88 to −0.02; P=0.04] and 8 hours (standard MD=−0.62; 95% CI=−0.95 to −0.28; P=0.0003), as well as reduce analgesic consumption (standard MD=−0.40; 95% CI=−0.73 to −0.07; P=0.02), but has no substantial influence on pain scores at 24 hour (standard MD=−0.38; 95% CI=−0.79 to 0.02; P=0.07) and operation duration (standard MD=−0.09; 95% CI=−0.34 to 0.15; P=0.45). Conclusions: Magnesium sulfate is effective to reduce pain intensity in early stage and anesthetic consumption after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

The weevil Pagiophloeus tsushimanus Morimoto (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), native to Eastern Asia, is a wood‐boring pest that causes severe damage to camphor trees (Cinnamomum sp.) in Shanghai, China. Other Lauraceae tree species that grew sympatrically with this pest in close proximity could face a potential threat. To assess the potential risks of host shift, we explored the phenotypic associations between preference and performance in P. tsushimanus reared on three Lauraceae tree species. In a no‐choice experiment offering branches of each plant as diet material and oviposition sites, we found that individuals reared on Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl (Laurales: Lauraceae) exhibited the strongest performance with shorter development time, higher survival and growth rate in the immature stage, longer longevity and greater fecundity in adults. In contrast, those on novel Lauraceae tree species (Cinnamomum chekiangensis Nakai and Phoebe chekiangensis Shang) had difficulty completing their whole life cycle due to significantly lower survival and reproduction. In a multiple‐choice experiment, C. camphora was established as the preferred host. However, we found that the larval experiences on the non‐preferred host plants contributed to an increased preference for that plant species. These results indicated that both the preference‐performance hypothesis and the Hopkins’ host selection principle are applicable in this weevil under experimental conditions. It is possible that although the weevil performed poorly on two novel Lauraceae tree species, under favourable conditions their surviving offspring could evolve into a new host‐specific population. Consequently, this weevil pest needs to be monitored on these novel Lauraceae tree species.

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Background The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a new treatment strategy for envenomation that consists of multiple small incisions and negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) on injured limb swelling and systemic inflammatory reaction. Material/Methods This was a prospective randomized controlled trial on snakebite envenomation. The enrolled patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: an observation group and a control group. The traditional comprehensive treatment was administered in both groups, but the observation group also received combined treatment with multiple small incisions and NPWT. Reduction in limb swelling, mean admission duration, complication rate, and changes in the levels of relevant cytokines were recorded and compared between the 2 groups. Results The mean duration of hospital stay was significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (5.44±0.89 days vs. 7.71±1.70 days). The complication rate and IL-6 concentration were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group. Conclusions Multiple small incisions combined with NPWT proved effective for controlling the release of inflammatory cytokines and accelerating the relief of systemic inflammatory reaction. As a consequence, the complication rate decreased. Therefore, our new treatment strategy is safe and effective.

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