Objective:To evaluate the effect of hydrogen on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and nigericin-induced pyroptosis in macrophages and the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1).Methods:Human monocyte-derived macrophages THP-1 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into 4 groups ( n=25 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), LPS and nigericin group (group LN), hydrogen-rich medium+ LPS and nigericin group (group H+ LN), and lentiviral transfection+ hydrogen-rich medium+ LPS-nigericin group (group LV+ H+ LN). THP-1 cells were cultured in the common culture medium for 24 h in group C. LPS at a final concentration of 100 ng/ml and nigericin 10 μmol/L were added to the culture medium, and the cells were incubated for 24 h in group LN. In group H+ LN, the culture medium was replaced with 0.6 mmol/L hydrogen-rich medium, then LPS at a final concentration of 100 ng/ml and nigericin 10 μmol/L were immediately added, and the cells were incubated for 24 h. In group LV+ H+ LN, THP-1 cells over-expressing NEAT1 stably after being transfected with lentivirus were used, then LPS at a final concentration of 100 ng/ml and nigericin 10 μmol/L were immediately added, and the cells were incubated for 24 h. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay. Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) release was assessed by colorimetric method. The amount of LDH released was measured by colorimetry. The concentrations of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and IL-18 in culture medium were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The pyroptotic rate was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor-containing pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), caspase-1 and gasdermin D (GSDMD) was detected by Western blot. The expression of NEAT1 gene was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results:Compared with group C, the cell viability was significantly decreased, the amount of LDH released, concentrations of IL-1β and IL-18, and pyroptotic rate were increased, and the expression of NEAT1 gene, NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 and GSDMD was up-regulated in group LN ( P<0.05). Compared with group LN, the cell viability was significantly increased, the amount of LDH released, concentrations of IL-1β and IL-18, and pyroptotic rate were decreased, and the expression of NEAT1 gene, NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 and GSDMD was down-regulated in group H+ LN ( P<0.05). Compared with group H+ LN, the cell viability was significantly decreased, the amount of LDH released, concentrations of IL-1β and IL-18, and pyroptotic rate were increased, and the expression of NEAT1 gene, NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 and GSDMD was up-regulated in group LV+ H+ LN ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Hydrogen can ameliorate LPS and nigericin-induced pyroptosis in macrophages, and the mechanism may be associated with down-regulating the expression of lncRNA NEAT1.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of ulinastatin on the postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in the patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG).Methods:Medical records from patients scheduled for elective OPCABG from September 2021 to August 2023 were retrospectively collected. The patients were divided into ulinastatin and control groups based on the intraoperative use of ulinastatin. Confounding factors were adjusted using propensity score matching and an extended Cox proportional hazards model. The primary outcome was the development of PPCs within 30 days after surgery, and secondary outcomes included length of stay in intensive care unit, length of hospital stay and occurrence of other adverse events.Results:A total of 1 532 patients were included in this cohort study, and 585 cases (38.2%) experienced PPCs. Compared with control group, the incidence of PPCs was significantly decreased (before matching: 42.7% vs. 35.2%, P=0.004; after matching: 42.2% vs. 35.6%, P=0.033), the incidence of acute kidney injury was decreased and no significant differences were found in the length of stay in intensive care unit, length of hospital stay and incidence of other adverse events in ulinastatin group ( P>0.05). In the extended Cox proportional hazard model before and after adjustment for confounding factors, the risk of PPCs was significantly reduced after the use of ulinastatin ( HR value before adjustment was 0.81, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 0.67-0.99, P=0.004; the HR value after adjustment was 0.79, 95% CI 0.65-0.96, P=0.022). The risk of PPCs was significantly decreased in patients aged >65 yr and at high risk of PPCs after using ulinastatin ( HR=0.667, 95% CI 0.542-0.821, P<0.001; hR value was 0.641, 95% CI 0.516-0.812, P<0.001). Conclusions:The intraoperative use of ulinastatin is helpful in decreasing the risk of PPCs in patients undergoing OPCABG.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between the severity of preoperative brain injury and postoperative delirium (POD) in elderly patients using latent class analysis based on markers of brain injury.Methods:One hundred and thirty-one American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ-Ⅲ patients, aged 65-84 yr, with a body mass index of 18-28 kg/m 2, scheduled for elective unilateral total hip arthroplasty in our hospital, were selected. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination before surgery. Arterial blood samples were collected before anesthesia to measure the plasma concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, inducible nitric oxide synthase, prostaglandin E2, central nervous system-specific protein (S100β), glial fibrillary acidic protein, neurofilament light chain, matrix metalloproteinase-9, fibroblast growth factor 23, complement 3, complement 3a, complement 5a and irisin using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. POD was evaluated using the Confusion Assessment Method within 3 days after operation, and the patients were divided into POD group and non-POD group. The patients were divided into different injury severity subtypes based on the levels of brain injury markers using latent class analysis, and logistic multivariate regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors for POD. Results:Compared with non-POD group, the concentrations of neurofilament light chain, glial fibrillary acidic protein, S100β and prostaglandin E2 were significantly different in POD group ( P<0.05). Using these four brain injury markers for latent class analysis, patients were divided into a high severity of brain injury group (91.51%) and a low severity of brain injury group (8.49%). The results of logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that subtypes of brain injury ( OR=8.31, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 1.77-38.90, P=0.007), age ( OR=1.14, 95% CI 1.03-1.24, P=0.007), and plasma irisin concentrations ( OR=0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.99, P=0.027) were independent risk factors for POD. Conclusions:Higher severity of preoperative brain injury is an independent risk factor for POD in elderly patients.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on tourniquet-induced hypertension (TIH) in the patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.Methods:Seventy-four patients of either sex, aged 18-60 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification I or II, with body mass index of 18-30 kg/m 2, undergoing elective anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction under general anesthesia combined with preoperative femoral nerve block, were divided into 2 groups ( n=37 each) using a random number table method: sham stimulation group (group SS) and group taVNS. Group SS received stimulation on the ear lobe and the tail of the helix of the left ear. Group taVNS received stimulation on the cymba concha and the earlobe of the left ear. Both groups received stimulation from 1 h before induction of anesthesia until the end of the procedure (frequency of 30 Hz, pulse width of 300 μs, and amplitude of the strongest current that could be tolerated by the patient in the absence of pain). The tourniquet inflation pressure was 280 mmHg, with an inflation time of 60-90 min. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were recorded before tourniquet inflation to assess the development of intraoperative TIH. The consumption of intraoperative propofol, remifentanil, nitroglycerin, esmolol, norepinephrine and atropine was recorded, and the occurrence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, skin itching and headache and dizziness was also recorded. Results:Compared with group SS, the incidence of TIH and the number of patients used nitroglycerin were significantly reduced ( P<0.05), and no significant changes were found in the other parameters in group taVNS ( P>0.05). Conclusions:taVNS can decrease the occurrence of TIH in the patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Objective:To compare esketamine versus dexmedetomidine in improving the adverse mood after cesarean section.Methods:One hundred and fourteen pregnant women undergoing elective cesarean section, aged 20-45 yr, with body mass index≤33 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅱ or Ⅲ, were divided into 3 groups ( n=38 each) by the random number table method: esketamine group (group S), dexmedetomidine group (group D) and control group (group C). After delivery, esketamine was intravenously injected as a bolus of 0.3 mg/kg, followed by an infusion of 0.3 mg·kg -1·h -1 throughout the surgery in group S, dexmedetomidine was intravenously injected as a bolus of 0.6 μg/kg, followed by an infusion of 0.6 μg·kg -1·h -1 throughout the surgery in group D, while the equal volume of normal saline was given instead, followed by an infusion of 14 ml/h throughout the surgery in group C. Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia was performed after the end of surgery. Esketamine 50 mg, sufentanil 50 μg and ondansetron 8 mg were given in group S, dexmedetomidine 200 μg, sufentanil 50 μg and ondansetron 8 mg were given in group D, while sufentanil 50 μg and ondansetron 8 mg were given in group C. When the visual analog scale score ≥4 within 48 h after operation, flurbiprofen axidate was intravenously injected as a rescue analgesic. Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) scores and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores were assessed at 1 day before surgery and 2 and 7 days after surgery. Serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at 1 day before surgery and 2 days after surgery. The effective pressing times of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) and requirement for rescue analgesia after operation were recorded. The occurrence of adverse reactions during operation and within 48 h after operation was also recorded. Results:Compared with group C, SAS scores and EPDS scores were significantly decreased at 2 and 7 days after surgery, serum BDNF concentrations were increased at 2 days after surgery, the effective pressing times of PCA were reduced, the requirement for rescue analgesia was decreased, and the incidence of intraoperative nausea and vomiting was reduced in S and D groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group D, SAS scores and EPDS scores were significantly decreased at 7 days after surgery, the effective pressing times of PCA were reduced ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in serum BDNF concentrations at 2 days after surgery and requirement for rescue analgesia in group S ( P>0.05). The incidence of dreaminess was significantly higher in group S than in group C and group D ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Esketamine is better than dexmedetomidine in improving the adverse mood after cesarean section.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of ultrasound-guided internal branch of superior laryngeal nerve(ibSLN) block on the quality of anesthesia recovery in the patients undergoing intracranial tumor surgery.Methods:The data from patients of either gender, aged 18-65 yr, with a body mass index of 18-28 kg/m 2, who underwent intracranial tumor surgery from December 2022 to October 2023, were retrospectively collected. Patients were divided into control group (group C) and ultrasound-guided ibSLN block group (group U). Bilateral ibSLN block was performed with 0.375% ropivacaine hydrochloride 2 ml.The tracheal extubation time, emergence time, development of cardiovascular events within 15 min after extubation, emergence agitation, Ramsay sedation score, Steward recovery score, visual analogue scale scores at 10 min after extubation and development of postoperative sore throat and hoarseness in postanesthesia care unit were recorded. Results:Compared with group C, the incidence of emergence agitation, Ramsay sedation score, visual analogue scale scores and sore throat were significantly decreased, the incidence of hoarseness was increased ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the extubation time, emergence time and Steward recovery score in group U( P>0.05). No hypertension, hypotension, tachachycardia and bradycardia were found in two groups. Conclusions:Ultrasound-guided ibSLN block can improve the quality of anesthesia recovery in the patients undergoing intracranial tumor surgery.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between preoperative serum bilirubin concentrations and postoperative delirium (POD) in the patients undergoing knee or hip replacement.Methods:Medical records from 413 patients undergoing knee or hip arthroplasty were selected from August 2020 to October 2023 at Qingdao Municipal Hospital using a nested case-control design based on the PNDABLE study cohort. The patients were divided into POD group ( n=77) and non-POD group ( n=336) according to whether POD occurred. Univariate analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors. Logistic regression was used to identify the risk factors for POD. The significance of mediation effect was tested. The receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn to evaluate the accuracy of risk factors in predicting POD. Results:There were significant differences in age, education time, ratio of diabetes history, Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale score, total bilirubin concentration, direct bilirubin concentration, indirect bilirubin concentration, Aβ 42 concentration, p-tau concentration, t-tau concentration, Aβ 42/p-tau ratio and Aβ 42/t-tau ratio between POD group and non-POD group ( P<0.05). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative serum total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin were risk factors for POD ( P<0.05). The results of mediation effects showed that the concentration of total tau protein in CSF partly mediated the relationship between high serum total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin concentrations and POD. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin combined with CSF biomarker concentrations in predicting POD was 0.83 ( P<0.001). Conclusions:Preoperative elevated concentrations of total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin are risk factors for POD in the patients undergoing knee or hip replacement. CSF t-tau concentration has a partly mediating role in the association between serum total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin concentrations and the development of POD.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of patent foramen ovale on the development of post-operative stroke in the patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery using a meta-analysis approach.Methods:A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, China Biomedical Literature Database, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, and China Journal Full Text Database.The inclusion criteria encompassed studies assessing the correlation between patent foramen ovale and post-operative stroke.The primary outcome measure focused on the incidence of post-operative stroke, and secondary outcome measures comprised mortality, myocardial infarction rate, and readmission rate within 30 days after surgery. The quality of literature meeting the inclusion criteria was evaluated and data were extracted, and then meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 software.Results:Eight retrospective cohort studies involving 21 142 237 patients were included.The results of meta-analysis showed that patent foramen ovale was associated with post-operative stroke and readmission within 30 days after surgery.There were no significant differences in all-cause mortality and myocardial infarction rates between patent foramen ovale group and mon-patent foramen ovale group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Patent foramen ovale can increase the risk of post-operative stroke in the patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

Objective:To evaluate the role of ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) in postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in aged rats.Methods:Sixty SPF healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 20 months, weighing 600-650 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=20 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), POCD group (group P) and dantrolene group (group D). A rat POCD model was prepared by closed reduction and internal fixation of left tibial fractures with sevoflurane anesthesia in P and D groups. RyR inhibitor dantrolene 2 mg/kg was injected via a tail vein at 30 min before surgery in group D. Morris water maze tests were conducted on day 1 before surgery and day 7 after surgery to evaluate the cognitive function. An open field test was conducted to detect the spontaneous motor function starting from day 7 after surgery. The rats were sacrificed after the end of Morris water maze tests and hippocampal tissues were taken for determination of the expression of RyR2 and cleaved caspase-3 (by Western blot), apoptosis rate and cytoplasmic calcium ion concentrations (by flow cytometry) and for microscopic examination of the pathological changes in hippocampal CA1 area (using HE staining). Results:There was no significant difference in the speed, distance and duration of stay in the center in the open field test among the three groups ( P>0.05). Compared with group C, the escape latency was significantly prolonged after surgery, the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, the expression of RyR2 and cleaved caspase-3 was up-regulated, and the neuronal apoptosis rate and cytoplasmic calcium ion concentration were increased ( P<0.05), and the pathological changes were found in the hippocampal CA1 area in group P. Compared with group P, the escape latency was significantly shortened after surgery, the number of crossing the original platform was increased, the expression of RyR2 and cleaved caspase-3 was down-regulated, and the neuronal apoptosis rate and cytoplasmic calcium ion concentration were decreased ( P<0.05), and the pathological changes were significantly reduced in the hippocampal CA1 area in group D. Conclusions:RyR2 activation is involved in the process of POCD in aged rats, which may be associated with increased calcium overload-induced hippocampal neuronal apoptosis.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of novel erythrocyte preservation solution on the quality of erythrocytes in stored blood of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats.Methods:Forty SPF male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 8 weeks, weighing 180-220 g, were used in this study. Ten rats randomly selected served as conventional erythrocyte preservation solution group (group A). T2DM model was prepared in the remaining 30 rats. Twenty T2DM rats were divided into 2 groups ( n=10 each) using a random number table method: T2DM conventional erythrocyte preservation solution control group (group C) and T2DM novel erythrocyte preservation solution observation group (group Y). Erythrocyte preservation solution was prepared to simulate the preoperative autologous blood donation process, and blood was collected from the tail vein to isolate the red blood cells, and then the corresponding preservation solution was added. Immediately after blood collection (T 0) and at 7, 14 and 21 days of preservation (T 1-3), the morphological structure of erythrocytes was observed with a light microscope, and the concentrations of 2, 3-diphosphoglycerate (2, 3-DPG) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were also determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at T 0-T 3 and 28 days of preservation (T 4). PKH26 was used to label the erythrocytes stored in vitro for 28 days, and then the erythrocytes were transfused back into rats. The survival rate of erythrocytes was detected by flow cytometry at 1, 7, 13 and 18 h after retransfusion. Results:The erythrocyte damage was aggravated at different time points of preservation in group C when compared with group A. Compared with group C, the damage to erythrocytes was significantly alleviated at different time points of preservation in group Y. Compared with group A, the concentration of 2, 3-DPG in erythrocytes was significantly decreased at T 0 and T 2-T 4, the concentration of ROS was increased at T 0-T 4, and the survival rate of erythrocytes was decreased at 1, 7 and 18 h after retransfusion in group C ( P<0.05). Compared with group C, the concentration of 2, 3-DPG in erythrocytes was significantly increased at T 0-T 4, the content of ROS was decreased at T 1, T 3 and T 4, and the survival rate of erythrocytes was increased at 1, 7 and 18 h after retransfusion in group Y ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The novel erythrocyte preservation solution can improve the quality of stored erythrocytes and increase the survival rate of erythrocytes in vivo after retransfusion in T2DM rats.