Association between waist circumference and sleep disorder in the elderly: Based on the NHANES 2005-2018.

The existing data do not consistently support the link between elderly adults' waist circumferences and sleep disorders. This study aimed to evaluate whether waist circumference was connected with sleep disorder in the elderly. This cross-sectional study utilized data from the 2005-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) regarding waist circumference, sleep disorders, and confounding factors. Included in the study were participants older than 60 who completed sleep questionnaires and waist circumference measurements. Using a multivariate logistic regression model and subgroup analyses, the relationship between waist circumference and sleep disorder was evaluated. To explore the non-linear relationship, restricted cubic spline (RCS) with three knots coupled with a logistic regression model to assess the dose-response relationship between waist circumference (continuous variables) and sleep disorder. A total of 2,545 (Weighted 14,682,916.3) elderly participants with complete information were included in the analysis and 312 (Weighted 1,777,137.8) subjects met the definition of sleep disorder. Compared with participants without sleep disorder, those with sleep disorder had a higher waist circumference (100.80 cm vs. 108.96 cm, P< 0.001). The results of the multivariable adjusted logistic regression model suggested that those in quartiles 4 (≥ 75th percentile) for their waist circumference had higher odds of sleep disorder [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.66-4.54, P < 0.001] compared with those in quartile 1. The RCS result showed that the OR of sleep disorder and waist circumference displayed a linear relationship (P <0.001, Non-linear P = 0.642). Age and gender subgroup analysis revealed comparable relationships between waist circumference and sleep disorder among elderly individuals. Waist circumference was associated with sleep disorders in the elderly. There was a dose-response relationship between waist circumference and the likelihood of sleep disorder. Those with a larger waist circumference were more likely to have a sleep disorder than those with a smaller waist circumference.

The relationship between anesthesia, surgery and postoperative immune function in cancer patients: a review.

This review comprehensively examines the impact of anesthesia and surgical interventions on the immune function of cancer patients postoperatively. Recent studies have shown that surgery and its accompanying anesthesia management can significantly influence immune function in cancer patients, potentially affecting their prognosis. This review synthesizes clinical studies and basic research to summarize the specific effects of anesthesia methods, drugs, postoperative analgesia, intraoperative transfusion, surgical techniques, and trauma extent on the immune function of cancer patients post-surgery. Additionally, this review discusses optimization strategies based on current research, aiming to refine anesthesia and surgical management to maximize the preservation and enhancement of postoperative immune function in cancer patients, with the potential to improve clinical outcomes.

Association of systemic inflammatory response index and clinical outcome in acute traumatic spinal cord injury patients.

Systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) has been proven to be associated with the prognosis of coronary artery disease and many other diseases. However, the relationship between SIRI and acute traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) has rarely been evaluated. The study aims to assess the prognostic value of SIRI for clinical outcomes in individuals with acute tSCI. A total of 190 patients admitted within eight hours after tSCI between January 2021 and April 2023 were enrolled in our study. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association between SIRI and American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade at admission and discharge, as well as neurological improvement in tSCI patients, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess the discriminative ability of SIRI in predicting AIS grade at discharge. After adjusting for confounding factors, SIRI positively correlated with the AIS grade (A to C) at admission and discharge, and negatively correlated with neurological improvement. The area under the curve values in ROC analysis was 0.725 (95% CI 0.647, 0.803). The study suggests that SIRI is significantly associated with an increased risk of poor clinical outcome at discharge in tSCI patients and has a certain discriminative value.

Obesity and the obesity paradox in abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Obesity, characterized by its complexity and heterogeneity, has emerged as a significant public health concern. Its association with increased incidence and mortality of cardiovascular diseases stems not only from its complications and comorbidities but also from the endocrine effects of adipose tissue. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), a chronic inflammatory condition, has been closely linked to obesity. Intriguingly, mild obesity appears to confer a protective effect against AAA mortality, whereas severe obesity and being underweight do not, giving rise to the concept of the "obesity paradox". This review aims to provide an overview of obesity and its paradoxical relationship with AAA, elucidate its underlying mechanisms, and discuss the importance of preoperative weight loss in severely obese patients with AAA.

Observation on the Analgesic Effect of Different Doses of a Combination of Esketamine and Dexmedetomidine Administered for Percutaneous Endoscopic Transforaminal Discectomy: A Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal discectomy (PETD) is an effective method for treating lumbar disc herniation, and is typically performed under local anesthesia. However, inadequate analgesia during the procedure remains a concern, prompting the search for a medication that can provide optimal pain control with minimal impact on the respiratory and circulatory systems. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to observe the effects of different doses of esketamine combined with dexmedetomidine on reducing visual analog scale (VAS) scores during surgical interventions. METHODS: One hundred two patients who underwent PETD were randomly divided into a control group (group C: normal saline + dexmedetomidine), an E1 group (0.1 mg kg-1 esketamine + dexmedetomidine), and an E2 group (0.2 mg kg-1 esketamine + dexmedetomidine). The primary outcome was the maximum visual analogue scale (VAS) (score: 0 = no pain and 10 = worst pain) at six time points. The secondary outcomes included the Assessment of Alertness/Sedation Scale (OAA/S) score and mean arterial pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and oxygen saturation (SpO2) at 11 time points. The incidence of adverse reactions during and 24 h after the operation and patient satisfaction with the anesthesia were also recorded. RESULTS: Compared with those in group C, the VAS scores of patients in groups E1 and E2 were lower at T6, T7, and T9 (P < 0.05). From T4 to T10, the OAA/S scores of the E1 and E2 groups were both lower than those of group C (P < 0.05), and at the T4-T6 time points, the OAA/S score of the E2 group was lower than that of group E1 (P < 0.05). At T4 and T5, the HR and BP of patients in groups E1 and E2 were greater than those in group C (P < 0.05). Compared with those in group C, the incidences of intraoperative illusion, floating sensation, postoperative dizziness, and hyperalgesia in groups E1 and E2 were significantly greater (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in patient RR, SpO2, or postoperative satisfaction with anesthesia among the three groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The combination of esketamine and dexmedetomidine can reduce VAS scores during certain stages of this type of surgery; it has minimal impact on respiration and circulation. However, this approach is associated with increased incidences of postoperative dizziness and psychiatric side effects, which may also affect patients' compliance with surgical instructions from medical staff. Patient satisfaction was not greater with dexmedetomidine combined with esketamine than with dexmedetomidine alone. TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.chictr.org.cn . Identifier: ChiCTR2300068206. Date of registration: 10 February 2023.

Risk factors for hyperactive delirium after laparoscopic radical gastrectomy under general anesthesia in patients with gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the risk factors for the occurrence of postoperative hyperactive delirium after laparoscopic radical gastrectomy under general anesthesia in patients with gastric cancer. METHODS: The clinical data of 280 gastric cancer patients who underwent laparoscopic radical gastrectomy under general anesthesia in First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University from January 2020 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, and the types and incidence of postoperative delirium were recorded. The factors influencing the occurrence of postoperative hyperactive delirium were analyzed. RESULTS: Multi-factor logistic regression analysis showed that older age, high dosage of anesthetic drug consumption, high American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification (or ASA grade 3-4), long Post-anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) stay, and long extubation time were independent risk factors for the occurrence of hyperactive delirium after laparoscopic radical gastrectomy (OR > 1, P < 0.05). The area under the curve of the nomogram was used to predict the occurrence of hyperactive delirium after laparoscopic radical gastrectomy under general anesthesia was 0.903 (95% CI: 0.846-0.978). CONCLUSION: Older age, high dosage of anesthetic drug consumption, high ASA classification (or ASA grade 3-4), long PACU stay, and long extubation time were independent risk factors affecting the occurrence of hyperactive delirium after laparoscopic radical gastrectomy under general anesthesia.

Recent advances in the study of anesthesia-and analgesia-related mechanisms of S-ketamine.

Ketamine is a racemic mixture of equal amounts of R-ketamine and S-ketamine and is well known to anesthesiologists for its unique dissociative anesthetic properties. The pharmacological properties of ketamine, namely, its sympathetic excitation, mild respiratory depression, and potent analgesia, are still highly valued in its use as an anesthetic for some patients. In particular, since its advent, S-ketamine has been widely used as an anesthetic in many countries due to its increased affinity for NMDA receptors and its enhanced anesthetic and analgesic effects. However, the anesthetic and analgesic mechanisms of S-ketamine are not fully understood. In addition to antagonizing NMDA receptors, a variety of other receptors or channels may be involved, but there are no relevant mechanistic summaries in the literature. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to review the mechanisms of action of S-ketamine on relevant receptors and systems in the body that result in its pharmacological properties, such as anesthesia and analgesia, with the aim of providing a reference for its clinical applications and research.

Icariin reduces cognitive dysfunction induced by surgical trauma in aged rats by inhibiting hippocampal neuroinflammation.

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common postsurgical complication in elderly individuals, significantly impacting the quality of life of patients; however, there is currently no effective clinical treatment for POCD. Recent studies have shown that Icariin (ICA) has antiaging effects and improves cognitive function, but its effect in POCD has not been studied. In this study, we investigated the influence of ICA on cognitive function and the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in a POCD rat model. We found that ICA reduced surgery-induced memory impairment, decreased hippocampal inflammatory responses, ameliorated neuronal injury in the hippocampus and inhibited microglial activation. In addition, we also observed that ICA inhibited activation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. In summary, our research suggest that ICA can ameliorate surgery-induced memory impairment and that the improvements resulting from administration of ICA may be associated with inhibition of hippocampal neuroinflammation. Our research findings also provide insight into potential therapeutic targets and methods for POCD.

Protective role of remote ischemic conditioning in renal transplantation and partial nephrectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: Studies have shown that remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) can effectively attenuate ischemic-reperfusion injury in the heart and brain, but the effect on ischemic-reperfusion injury in patients with kidney transplantation or partial nephrectomy remains controversial. The main objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate whether RIC provides renal protection after renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in patients undergoing kidney transplantation or partial nephrectomy. Methods: A computer-based search was conducted to retrieve relevant publications from the PubMed database, Embase database, Cochrane Library and Web of Science database. We then conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that met our study inclusion criteria. Results: Eleven eligible studies included a total of 1,145 patients with kidney transplantation or partial nephrectomy for systematic review and meta-analysis, among whom 576 patients were randomly assigned to the RIC group and the remaining 569 to the control group. The 3-month estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was improved in the RIC group, which was statistically significant between the two groups on kidney transplantation [P < 0.001; mean difference (MD) = 2.74, confidence interval (CI): 1.41 to 4.06; I 2 = 14%], and the 1- and 2-day postoperative Scr levels in the RIC group decreased, which was statistically significant between the two groups on kidney transplantation (1-day postoperative: P < 0.001; MD = 0.10, CI: 0.05 to 0.15, I 2 = 0; 2-day postoperative: P = 0.006; MD = 0.41, CI: 0.12 to 0.70, I 2 = 0), but at other times, there was no significant difference between the two groups in Scr levels. The incidence of delayed graft function (DGF) decreased, but there was no significant difference (P = 0.60; 95% CI: 0.67 to 1.26). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of cross-clamp time, cold ischemia time, warm ischemic time, acute rejection (AR), graft loss or length of hospital stay. Conclusion: Our meta-analysis showed that the effect of remote ischemia conditioning on reducing serum creatinine (Scr) and improving estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) seemed to be very weak, and we did not observe a significant protective effect of RIC on renal ischemic-reperfusion. Due to small sample sizes, more studies using stricter inclusion criteria are needed to elucidate the nephroprotective effect of RIC in renal surgery in the future.

Analgesic Efficacy of an Ultrasound-Guided Transversus Thoracis Plane Block Combined with an Intermediate Cervical Plexus Block on Postoperative Pain Relief After Trans-Areolar Endoscopic Thyroidectomy: A Single Center Prospective Randomized Controlled Study.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the analgesic effect of ultrasound-guided transversus thoracis plane block (TTPB) combined with intermediate cervical plexus block (ICPB) in the early postoperative period after trans-areolar endoscopic thyroidectomy. Patients and Methods: A total of 62 female patients undergoing trans-areolar endoscopic thyroidectomy were randomly classified to the TTPB combined with ICPB group with ropivacaine (block group) or superficial cervical plexus block group (control group). The primary outcome measures were resting visual analogue scale (VAS) in the chest area at 6 h after surgery. The secondary outcome measures included chest resting and movement VAS score, neck resting and movement VAS score within 24 h after surgery, intraoperative remifentanil consumption, postoperative analgesia rate and analgesic requirements and patient satisfaction score for pain management at discharge. Results: Compared with the control group, the block group at rest showed consistently lower VAS scores in the chest area at 6 and 12 h after operation; the block group at rest showed lower VAS scores in the neck at 6, 12 and 24 h after operation. Regarding movement, the VAS scores of the chest and neck area at 2, 6, 12 and 24 h after the operation were lower in the block group than in the control group. The consumption of remifentanil, rate of postoperative analgesic requirements, and consumption of postoperative rescue analgesia in the block group were lower than those in the control group. Satisfaction with pain treatment at discharge was higher in the block group than in the control group. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided TTPB combined with ICPB provides good analgesic effect in the early postoperative period after trans-areola endoscopic thyroidectomy.

Association of insulin resistance with bone mineral density in a nationwide health check-up population in China.

INTRODUCTION: Insulin resistance (IR) is closely associated with cardio-metabolic diseases. However, the impact of IR on bone mass remains obscure. The present study is to evaluate the association between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) indicated IR and bone mass in a nationwide health check-up population in China. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study including 788,247 participants and a longitudinal cohort study in 8770 participants who had repeated measurements of TyG index and bone mass in at least a 2-year follow-up period. The restricted cubic splines and logistic models were used to analyze the association between IR and bone mass in the cross-sectional study. The Cox model was applied to evaluate the relationship between baseline IR and the subsequent incidence of low bone mass and osteoporosis in the longitudinal study. RESULTS: In the cross-sectional study, the TyG index had positive correlations with low bone mass, osteoporosis, or both after adjusting for confounding factors (all P < 0.001). In the longitudinal cohort study, the baseline TyG index was significantly associated with the incidence of low bone mass, osteoporosis, or both during the follow-up period, with hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.56 (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.25, 1.93, P < 0.05), 1.66 (95%CI: 1.06, 2.59, P < 0.05), and 1.55 (95%CI: 1.27, 1.88, P < 0.05) after adjusting for confounding factors, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that IR indicated by TyG is significantly associated with an increased risk of low bone mass and osteoporosis. Therefore, bone mass monitoring and early prevention strategies may be needed in individuals with IR to prevent the occurrence of low bone mass and osteoporosis.

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for reducing cognitive dysfunction in lumbar spine surgery: A randomized, controlled trail.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of perioperative transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in older patients with lumbar spine surgery. Methods: Older patients (aged 60-80 years old) receiving lumbar spine surgery under general anesthesia were randomly divided into group A, 3-day intervention group; group B, 7-day intervention group; control group C, sham TEAS group, selected "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Dazhui" (GV 14) point was intervened once 30 min before operation with "HANS" transcutaneous electrical stimulation device, and then once a day after operation for 30 min each time. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative cognitive impairment assessed by the use of the Mini Mental Rating Scale (MMSE), patients developed POCD according to the Z score method. The secondary outcome was serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor Necrosis factor α (TNF-α), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and S100ß protein levels. Results: Three days after surgery, the incidence of POCD in groups A((22.4%)) and B ((18.3%)) were lower than those in group C ((42.9%)) (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between groups A and B (P > 0.05). Seven days after surgery, the incidence of POCD in group B (18.3%) was lower than that in groups A (26.5%) and B (42.9%), and the comparison between groups B and C was statistically significant (P < 0.05). On the 3rd and 7th days after surgery, the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, NSE, and S100ß in the two TEAS groups were lower than those in the sham TEAS group (P < 0.01), but higher than the preoperative levels in the three groups (P < 0.01). Conclusion: It seems that Perioperative TEAS intervention could reduce the level of inflammatory factors IL-6, TNF-α in the blood of older patients with lumbar spine surgery, and reduce the incidence of POCD. Clinical trial registration: www.chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2200063030.

The global disease burden attributable to a diet low in fibre in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019.

OBJECTIVE: The relationship of a diet low in fibre with mortality has not been evaluated. This study aims to assess the burden of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCD) attributable to a diet low in fibre globally from 1990 to 2019. DESIGN: All data were from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2019, in which the mortality, disability-adjusted life-years (DALY) and years lived with disability (YLD) were estimated with Bayesian geospatial regression using data at global, regional and country level acquired from an extensively systematic review. SETTING: All data sourced from the GBD Study 2019. PARTICIPANTS: All age groups for both sexes. RESULTS: The age-standardised mortality rates (ASMR) declined in most GBD regions; however, in Southern sub-Saharan Africa, the ASMR increased from 4·07 (95 % uncertainty interval (UI) (2·08, 6·34)) to 4·60 (95 % UI (2·59, 6·90)), and in Central sub-Saharan Africa, the ASMR increased from 7·46 (95 % UI (3·64, 11·90)) to 9·34 (95 % UI (4·69, 15·25)). Uptrends were observed in the age-standardised YLD rates attributable to a diet low in fibre in a number of GBD regions. The burden caused by diabetes mellitus increased in Central Asia, Southern sub-Saharan Africa and Eastern Europe. CONCLUSIONS: The burdens of disease attributable to a diet low in fibre in Southern sub-Saharan Africa and Central sub-Saharan Africa and the age-standardised YLD rates in a number of GBD regions increased from 1990 to 2019. Therefore, greater efforts are needed to reduce the disease burden caused by a diet low in fibre.

Intrathecal Dexmedetomidine Combined With Ropivacaine in Cesarean Section: A Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Study.

Objective: This study aimed to find the best dose of dexmedetomidine in spinal anesthesia for cesarean section. Methods: 120 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Class I and II parturients undergoing elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated into four groups treated with intrathecal ropivacaine (12 mg) alone (Group R) or in combination with dexmedetomidine 5 µg (Group RD1), 7.5 µg (Group RD2) and 10 µg (Group RD3). Characteristics of spinal anesthesia, hemodynamic changes, adverse effects, stress reactions and neonatal outcomes were recorded in the four groups. Results: Patients in Group RD1, RD2, and RD3 had significantly longer sustained sensory and motor block time than patients in Group R. All four groups had comparable onset times of sensory and motor block. The time for the level of sensory block to lower to S1 was longer in Group RD1 (411.07 ± 106.66 min), Group RD2 (397.03 ± 125.39 min) and Group RD3 (468.63 ± 116.43 min) than in Group R (273.60 ± 88.34 min) (p < 0.001). The time to recover from motor block to a Bromage score of IV was longer in Group RD1 (353.60.07 ± 137.28 min), Group RD2 (350.57 ± 118.01 min) and Group RD3 (404.67 ± 112.83 min) than in Group R (232.70 ± 93.29) (p < 0.01). The incidence of chills was significantly lower in the Group RD1, RD2, and RD3 than in the Group R (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse effects such as hypotension, bradycardia, nausea, vomiting, hypoxemia and pruritus in the four groups (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant visceral traction response or fentanyl use in the four groups (p > 0.05). Phenylephrine dosing was significantly higher in Group RD2 and RD3 than in Group R (p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in phenylephrine dosing between Group RD1 and Group R (p > 0.05). There were no statistical differences in postnatal Apgar scores (1 min, 5 min after birth) (p > 0.05). The postoperative concentrations of ß-endorphin (ß-EP), cortisol (Cor) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the Group RD1, RD2, and RD3 were lower than that in Group R (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Intrathecal 5µg of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to ropivacaine relieved intraoperative chills, did not increase intraoperative and postoperative adverse effects, did not increase the amount of intraoperative vasoconstrictor used, and reduced intraoperative stress reactions as well as prolonged the duration of maternal sensory and motor block, so this dose is appropriate for cesarean section. Clinical Trial Registration: [www.chictr.org.cn/], identifier [ChiCTR2200056052].

Current Status of Chinese Medical Students' Professional Identity After COVID-19 and the Factors That Influence It.

This study aimed to explore the current situation regarding medical students' professional identity after COVID-19 in China, as well as the factors that influence it. Questionnaire compiled by Fujian Medical University and self-designed were used, and participators were from one Medical University in Jiangxi Province, a central city of China. Results showed that the professional identity of medical students was upper middle level and the professional attitude was generally positive. There was a significant sex difference in terms of value (t = 2.057, p < 0.05) which the scores for boys were higher than girls, whereas the scores for girls were higher than boys when it came to aspects such as professional environment (t = -3.918, p < 0.001) and professional cognition (t = -3.855, p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the sense of professional identity between people with and without siblings (t = 2.264, p < 0.05). The scores of students who participated in prevention and control of the epidemic were significantly higher than those who did not (t = 2.267, p < 0.01). Professional identity decreased gradually in related to higher grades, but it increased at the graduate stage; the grade [F (5,635) = 10.302, p < 0.001] and majors [F (2,635) = 5.718, p < 0.01] differences were significant. Factors such as family members' influence, attitude toward occupation, grades, major, registered residence, and college choosing were the main factors that influenced medical students' professional identity. Overall, the medical students' professional identity needs to be further strengthened in the post COVID-19, it should be increased education regarding career development and planning.

Intranasal Dexmedetomidine for the Treatment of Pre-operative Anxiety and Insomnia: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled, and Clinical Trial.

Background and Objective: Several patients with pre-operative anxiety and insomnia refuse to take sleeping pills because of the side effects of sleeping pills. This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of intranasal dexmedetomidine (DEX) in the treatment of pre-operative anxiety and insomnia. Methods: A total of 72 patients with insomnia and anxiety were randomly divided into two groups of intranasal DEX (n = 36) and intranasal normal saline (NS, n = 36). The primary outcomes included patients' time to fall asleep, total sleep time, insomnia severity index (ISI) after treatment, and satisfaction with the treatment effect. The secondary outcomes were mean arterial pressure (MAP), oxygen saturation (SPO2), heart rate (HR), Narcotrend index (NI) in the first 2 h of treatment, and the incidence of adverse events within 12 h after treatment. Results: The time to fall asleep (22.08 ± 3.95 min) and total sleep time (400.06 ± 28.84 min) in the DEX group were significantly different from those in the NS group [time to fall asleep, 89.31 ± 54.56 min; total sleep time (295.19 ± 73.51 min; P < 0.001)]. ISI after treatment in the DEX group was lower than that in the NS group (P < 0.001). Satisfaction with the treatment effect was better in the DEX group than that in the NS group (P < 0.001). The general vital signs in the two groups were stable during the treatment. The drowsiness rate in the NS group was higher than that in the DEX group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Intranasal DEX can significantly improve pre-operative anxiety and insomnia. Clinical Trial Registration: This study was registered on Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn/searchproj.aspx, ChiCTR2100044747).

Remimazolam alleviates neuropathic pain via regulating bradykinin receptor B1 and autophagy.

OBJECTIVES: Neuropathic pain (NP) represents a broad scope of various pathological ramifications of the nervous system. Remimazolam is a proved sedative in treating neuropathic pain. Considering the Bradykinin receptor's vital role and the potentials of Bradykinin receptor B1 (BDKRB1) in the neuropathic pain-signalling pathway, we nominated them as a primary target for remimazolam. METHODS: In this study, rats were injected with complete freund's adjuvant (CFA) to construct NP models in vivo. BV2 microglia cells were treated with LPS to establish NP model in vitro. qRT-PCR, ELISA, western blot and immunofluorescence were applied to determine gene expression. KEY FINDINGS: Our findings revealed that BDKRB1 was overexpressed in NP models in vivo, while R715 (an antagonist of BDKRB1) suppressed the levels of BDKRB1 and inhibited the hyperpathia induced by spinal nerve litigation surgery. Moreover, remimazolam inactivated BDKRB1 signalling via suppressing NF-κB translocation and decreased the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, remimazolam suppressed the translocation of NF-κB, and inhibited autophagic lysosome formation in vivo and in vitro. However, R838 (an agonist of BDKRB1) reversed the effects of remimazolam. CONCLUSIONS: Remimazolam downregulated BDKRB1, inhibited BDKRB1/RAS/MEK signalling pathway and regulated the autophagic lysosome induction, exhibiting a better outcome in the NP.