A Retrospective Study of Paediatric Dental Patients Treated under General Anesthesia

Dental care under general anesthesia (DGA) was found to be a safe, efficient and effective quality treatment for children. Purpose: To describe the characteristics of child dental patients treated under DGA and describe the indications of the treatments and types of treatments provided. Method: The sample consisted of 40 patients treated under DGA at Department of Paediatric Dentistry of school and Hospital of Stomatology of Wuhan University between June 2011 and December 2012. Detailed information was collected from dental records. SPSS software package was used for statistical analysis. Results: The age of the patients ranged from 2.5 years to 24.1 years. Males were more common than females M:F 1.5:1 .The mental retardation patients accounted for (5%) of the sample. The most common indication was inability to cooperate and accept dental treatment under local anesthesia (95%). The treatments rendered included: caries restorations (37%), root canal treatments (34%), extractions (7%), fluoride application (6%), fissure sealants (6%), indirect pulp capping (5%), stainless steel crowns (4%), pulpotomies (0.8%) and labial frenectomy (0.1%). In the follow-up visit fillings were found to be lost in 3 patients, with 2 anterior teeth and one posterior tooth. Conclusion: Caries restoration and root canal treatments were the most common treatments provided. Preventive strategies should be targeted toward children to reduce the number of healthy children receiving treatment under general anesthesia. Clinical significance: This study provides baseline information regarding the types of treatments for paediatric dental patients inWuhanand it is hoped that the data from this study will be useful for other researchers.

Comparative efficacy of hyperbaric bupivacaine vs hyperbaric ropivacaine in spinal anesthesia for cesarean section:A metaanalysis

BACKGROUND Intrathecal bupivacaine is the traditional anesthetic drug used in spinal anesthesia for caesarean sections(CSs),but ropivacaine has emerged as a potential alter-native.This meta-analysis compares the efficacy and safety of intrathecal hyper-baric bupivacaine vs hyperbaric ropivacaine for cesarean sections.AIM To systematically evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine and hyperbaric ropivacaine for spinal anesthesia in CSs.METHODS A thorough search of electronic databases was carried out to find pertinent randomized controlled trials(RCTs)comparing intrathecal hyperbaric ropi-vacaine and hyperbaric bupivacaine during CSs.PubMed,Cochrane database,Google Scholar,and Scopus were searched,and papers from January 2000 to January 2024 were deemed eligible and filtered using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria.Studies were assessed for methodological quality,and data were extracted for time to adequate anesthesia(sensory and motor blockade),duration of sensory and motor block,hemodynamic changes and side effect profile.The standardized mean difference with 95%CI was used for continuous data.Dichotomous variables were assessed using the Mantel-Haenszel test and the random effect model to compute the odds ratio.RESULTS Total 8 RCTs were selected from a pool of 119 search results for meta-analysis.The meta-analysis evaluated pooled effect sizes and assessed heterogeneity among the studies.The primary objective was to compare key outcomes to identify any significant variances in efficacy and safety profiles between two local anesthetics.The analysis revealed that the difference in the onset of sensory blockade between the two local anesthetics was statistically insignificant(P=0.1586).However,the onset of motor blockade appeared to be faster with bupivacaine(P=0.03589).Additionally,the regression of sensory and motor blockade occurred earlier in the ropivacaine group.Furthermore,the duration of the first analgesic effect was shorter with a significance level of P<0.05.Regarding side effects profile,including hypotension,nausea,and shivering,the study did not observe any significant differences between the two groups.CONCLUSION This meta-analysis offers insights into the effectiveness and safety of hyperbaric bupivacaine vs ropivacaine for cesarean sections.Hyperbaric ropivacaine had a comparable safety profile and faster regression of sensory and motor blockade than hyperbaric bupivacaine,perhaps aiding early mobilization of parturient and facilitating mother-child bonding.Choosing ropivacaine may offer benefits beyond efficacy for cesarean section patients and short surgical procedures.

Insights into anesthesia administration for elderly individuals undergoing painless gastroenteroscopy: A bibliometric study

BACKGROUND Administering anesthesia to elderly patients undergoing gastroenteroscopy necessitates careful attention due to age-related physiological changes and an increased risk of complications.AIM To analyze the research trends in anesthesia management for elderly patients undergoing gastroenteroscopy.METHODS We performed a literature search using the Web of Science database to identify articles published between 2004 and 2023.Bibliometric and visual analyses were conducted using CiteSpace,R,and VOSviewer to explore the current research landscape of anesthesia administration in painless gastroenteroscopy for elderly patients and to identify future research directions by examining trends and emerging hotspots in this domain.RESULTS A total of 800 articles were examined,revealing a rising trend in annual pub-lication counts.The United States led with 181 articles,followed by China with 112,collectively contributing over 35%of the studies among the top ten countries.The majority of publications appeared in the United States journals,with the top three being Gastrointestinal Endoscopy[impact factor(IF)=7.7,H-index=26],Digestive Diseases and Sciences(IF=3.1),and Endoscopy(IF=9.3).Six primary research clusters were identified:Obstructive sleep apnea and airway manage-ment,surveillance and risk factors,colorectal cancer examination and treatment,sedation and safety of propofol and midazolam,patient satisfaction,and mortality and complications.These findings underscore the pivotal focus areas in anesthesia for elderly patients undergoing gastroenteroscopy.CONCLUSION A comprehensive understanding of current research trends and hotspots will aid anesthesiologists in developing more evidence-based practices,thereby improving the safety and outcomes for elderly patients undergoing gastroenteroscopy.

Use of graphene nanocomposites for air disinfection in dental clinics:A game-changer in infection control

This manuscript features the promising findings of a study conducted by Ju et al,who used graphene nanocomposites for air disinfection in dental clinics.Their study demonstrated that,compared with conventional filters,graphene nanocom-posites substantially improved air quality and reduced microbial contamination.This manuscript highlights the innovative application of graphene materials,emphasizing their potential to enhance dental clinic environments by minimizing secondary pollution.On the basis of the unique antimicrobial properties of gra-phene and the original study’s rigorous methodology,we recommend using gra-phene nanocomposites in clinical settings to control airborne infections.

Pneumocephalus Following Combined Spinal-Epidural Anesthesia: A Case Report Analysis

Background: Combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSEA) is widely used in clinical anesthesia due to its rapid onset, reliable anesthetic effect, and strong controllability. Although advancements in technique have reduced the frequency and severity of common complications, reports of rare and serious complications such as pneumocephalus, remain scarce. Case Report: This article presents a case of pneumocephalus following CSEA in a middle-aged female patient undergoing surgery for an intrauterine space-occupying lesion. The patient experienced severe headache postoperatively, and imaging confirmed the presence of intracranial air. After receiving active symptomatic treatment, the patient recovered and was discharged. Conclusion: This case underscores the importance of adhering to standard anesthesia protocols and increasing awareness of rare CSEA complications, particularly the risk of pneumocephalus. Early recognition and timely management are crucial. There is a need to further enhance training and research in anesthetic procedures to improve clinical anesthesia quality and ensure patient safety.

A Custom Haptic Syringe to Improve a VR Local Anesthesia Simulation for Foundational Dental Education: A Feasibility Study

Introduction: This paper presents the design, development, and usability evaluation of a custom haptic syringe aimed to improve the realism of a virtual reality local anesthesia simulation (VRLA), specifically for the inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB), that formally used a head mounted device (HMD) and vibration feedback via hand controllers. The custom haptic syringe interface provides a more realistic tactile sensation of plunging a real syringe in a human patient. This pilot study investigated the usability of the custom haptic syringe to replace one of the hand controllers to provide a more realistic and better training experience. Method: A one group pre-post survey investigated student perceptions regarding the effectiveness and usability of a haptic syringe to provide a more realistic experience to train dental students to learn the procedural steps to inject local anesthesia into a virtual patient. Twenty-two third year dental students participated. The pre-post survey examined changes in students’ perceived emotions, preparedness, and effectiveness of the VRLA as a foundational learning strategy prior to entering clinical group practice. Results: While quantitative results on comparable survey questions did not yield statistically significant differences, qualitative open-ended responses revealed a much greater satisfaction using the custom haptic syringe compared to the out of the box controllers. Conclusions: Feedback regarding the haptic syringe showed a substantial step closer to providing a more real experience for students in an effort to create a better bridge between classroom learning and clinical practice in order to prepare students to more confidently and competently work with real clients. Further refinement of the syringe is forthcoming along with a more formal comparative experimental study.

Effectiveness and safety of rocuronium or nitroglycerin plus ropivacaine on pain during intravenous regional anesthesia:A double-blind randomized controlled trial

Objective:To compare the effects of adding rocuronium and nitroglycerin to ropivacaine in intravenous regional anesthesia(IVRA)on pain and hemodynamic parameters.Methods:This randomized controlled trial was done in 2023.Participants were 177 candidates for forearm operation surgery under IVRA selected from Valiasr Hospital,Arak,Iran.They were allocated by block randomization to three different groups,namely nitroglycerin group,rocuronium group and control group.Hemodynamic parameters were recorded before tourniquet application up to postoperative recovery time.Sensory block and motor block onset and duration and pain were also evaluated.The data analysis was carried out by IMB SPSS software 20.0.Results:177 Eligible patients were included in study,with 59 in each group.Time to sensory and motor block onset in the nitroglycerin group was significantly less than the other groups and the time of motor block in the rocuronium group was statistically higher than the control and the nitroglycerin groups(P<0.001).Seven participants in the nitroglycerin group experienced headache and three from the rocuronium group experienced dizziness.The side effects occurrence in the nitroglycerin group was more prevalent than in the control and rocuronium groups(P=0.009).Conclusions:Nitroglycerin significantly reduces the time to sensory and motor block onset,while rocuronium is more effective in prolonging the time of motor block.Although there is no difference between nitroglycerin and rocuronium respecting the pain score and opioid need administration,nitroglycerin is associated with a higher prevalence of medication side effects.Therefore,both nitroglycerin and rocuronium can be used as adjuvant for IVRA.The final choice relies on patients’conditions and anesthesiologists’judgment.

Impact of dexmedetomidine-assisted anesthesia in elderly patients undergoing radical resection of colon cancer

BACKGROUND Radical resection of colon cancer under general anesthesia is one of the main treatment methods for this malignancy.However,due to the physiological charac-teristics of elderly patients,the safety of perioperative anesthesia needs special attention.As anα2-adrenergic receptor agonist,dexmedetomidine(Dex)has attracted much attention from anesthesiologists due to its stabilizing effect on heart rate and blood pressure,inhibitory effect on inflammation,and sedative and analgesic effects.Its application in general anesthesia may have a positive impact on the quality of anesthesia and postoperative recovery in elderly patients undergoing radical resection of colon cancer.METHODS A total of 165 colon cancer patients who underwent radical surgery for colon cancer under general anesthesia at Qingdao University Affiliated Haici Hospital,Qingdao,China were recruited and divided into two groups:A and B.In group A,Dex was administered 30 min before surgery,while group B received an equivalent amount of normal saline.The hemodynamic changes,pulmonary compliance,airway pressure,inflammatory factors,confusion assessment method scores,Ramsay Sedation-Agitation Scale scores,and cellular immune function indicators were compared between the two groups.RESULTS Group A showed less intraoperative hemodynamic fluctuations,better pulmonary compliance,and lower airway resistance compared with group B.Twelve hours after the surgery,the serum levels of TLR-2,TLR-4,IL-6,and TNF-αin group A were significantly lower than those of group B(P<0.05).After extubation,the Ramsay Sedation-Agitation Scale score of group A patients was significantly higher than that of group B patients,indicating a higher level of sedation.The incidence of delirium was significantly lower in group A than in group B(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The use of Dex as an adjunct to general anesthesia for radical surgery in elderly patients with colon cancer results in better effectiveness of anesthesia.

Comparison of Propofol and Fentanyl for Preventing Emergence Agitation Following Sevoflurane Anesthesia in Pediatric Patients: A Single-Center Study in Bangladesh

Background: Emergence agitation (EA) is a common phenomenon observed in pediatric patients following general anesthesia. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of propofol and fentanyl in preventing EA and to compare their associated complications or side effects. Methods: This prospective randomized observational comparative study was conducted at Dhaka Medical College Hospital from July 2013 to June 2014. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of propofol and fentanyl on EA in children aged 18 to 72 months undergoing circumcision, herniotomy, and polypectomy operations. Ninety children were included in the study, with 45 in each group. Patients with psychological or neurological disorders were excluded. Various parameters including age, sex, weight, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, duration of anesthesia, Saturation of Peripheral Oxygen (SPO2), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) score, duration of post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay, incidence of laryngospasm, nausea, vomiting, and rescue drug requirement were compared between the two groups. Results: Age, sex, weight, ASA class, and duration of anesthesia were comparable between the two groups. Perioperative SpO2 and HR were similar in both groups. However, the PAED score was significantly higher in the fentanyl group during all follow-ups except at 30 minutes postoperatively. The mean duration of PACU stay was significantly longer in the fentanyl group. Although the incidence of laryngospasm was higher in the fentanyl group, it was not statistically significant. Conversely, nausea or vomiting was significantly higher in the fentanyl group. The requirement for rescue drugs was significantly higher in the fentanyl group compared to the propofol group. Conclusion: Both propofol and fentanyl were effective in preventing emergence agitation in pediatric patients undergoing various surgical procedures under sevoflurane anesthesia. However, propofol demonstrated a better safety profile with fewer incidences of nausea, vomiting, and rescue drug requirements compared to fentanyl.

Factors influencing agitation during anesthesia recovery after laparoscopic hernia repair under total inhalation combined with caudal block anesthesia

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic hernia repair is a minimally invasive surgery,but patients may experience emergence agitation(EA)during the post-anesthesia recovery period,which can increase pain and lead to complications such as wound reopening and bleeding.There is limited research on the risk factors for this agitation,and few effective tools exist to predict it.Therefore,by integrating clinical data,we have developed nomograms and random forest predictive models to help clinicians predict and potentially prevent EA.AIM To establish a risk nomogram prediction model for EA in patients undergoing laparoscopic hernia surgery under total inhalation combined with sacral block anesthesia.METHODS Based on the clinical information of 300 patients who underwent laparoscopic hernia surgery in the Nanning Tenth People’s Hospital,Guangxi,from January 2020 to June 2023,the patients were divided into two groups according to their sedation-agitation scale score,i.e.,the EA group(≥5 points)and the non-EA group(≤4 points),during anesthesia recovery.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression was used to select the key features that predict EA,and incorporating them into logistic regression analysis to obtain potential pre-dictive factors and establish EA nomogram and random forest risk prediction models through R software.RESULTS Out of the 300 patients,72 had agitation during anesthesia recovery,with an incidence of 24.0%.American Society of Anesthesiologists classification,preoperative anxiety,solid food fasting time,clear liquid fasting time,indwelling catheter,and pain level upon awakening are key predictors of EA in patients undergoing laparoscopic hernia surgery with total intravenous anesthesia and caudal block anesthesia.The nomogram predicts EA with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)of 0.947,a sensi-tivity of 0.917,and a specificity of 0.877,whereas the random forest model has an AUC of 0.923,a sensitivity of 0.912,and a specificity of 0.877.Delong’s test shows no significant difference in AUC between the two models.Clinical decision curve analysis indicates that both models have good net benefits in predicting EA,with the nomogram effective within the threshold of 0.02 to 0.96 and the random forest model within 0.03 to 0.90.In the external model validation of 50 cases of laparoscopic hernia surgery,both models predicted EA.The nomogram model had a sensitivity of 83.33%,specificity of 86.84%,and accuracy of 86.00%,while the random forest model had a sensitivity of 75.00%,specificity of 78.95%,and accuracy of 78.00%,suggesting that the nomogram model performs better in predicting EA.CONCLUSION Independent predictors of EA in patients undergoing laparoscopic hernia repair with total intravenous anesthesia combined with caudal block include American Society of Anesthesiologists classification,preoperative anxiety,duration of solid food fasting,duration of clear liquid fasting,presence of an indwelling catheter,and pain level upon waking.The nomogram and random forest models based on these factors can help tailor clinical decisions in the future.

Artificial intelligence and robotics in regional anesthesia

Artificial intelligence(AI)technology is vital for practitioners to incorporate AI and robotics in day-to-day regional anesthesia practice.Recent literature is encouraging on its applications in regional anesthesia,but the data are limited.AI can help us identify and guide the needle tip precisely to the location.This may help us reduce the time,improve precision,and reduce the associated side effects of improper distribution of drugs.In this article,we discuss the potential roles of AI and robotics in regional anesthesia.

Observation of the Effects of Anesthesia Recovery Nursing Combined with Heat Preservation Measures in Patients Undergoing General Anesthesia Surgery

Objective:To observe the application effects of anesthesia recovery nursing with heat preservation measures in patients undergoing general anesthesia surgery.Methods:300 cases of general anesthesia surgery patients in our hospital from March 2023 to February 2024 were selected and divided into the control group and the observation group according to the random number table method,each with 150 cases.The control group adopted conventional care,while the observation group was given anesthesia recovery care and heat preservation measures on the basis of conventional care.The wake-up time,extubation time,hospitalization time,and the incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups and statistically analyzed.Results:The wake-up time of patients in the control group was 9.71±1.20 hours,and that of the observation group was 6.51±1.02 hours,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05);the extubation times of patients in the observation group and the control group after awakening were 8.52±0.41 min and 10.42±1.12 min,respectively,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05)The hospital stay after the operation in the observation group and the control group was 32.91±4.71 days and 37.24±3.34 days respectively,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05),and the incidence rate of adverse reactions after extubation in the observation group(3.33%)was significantly lower than that in the control group(10.00%)(P<0.05).Conclusion:In general anesthesia surgery patients,the implementation of anesthesia recovery nursing with heat preservation measures can significantly improve the physical condition of patients,effectively shorten the duration of surgery and patients’wake-up time,and improve their quality of life,which is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Case Report: Rare Presentations of Accidental Subdural Block in Labor Epidural Anesthesia

The incidence of accidental injection or catheterization of the subdural space during performance of a neuroaxial block has recently increased. It can occur even when an experienced practitioner performs the neuraxial procedure. The presentation of numerous unexplainable clinical signs in the process of continuous epidural anesthesia, which do not fit the clinical picture of subarachnoid or intravascular injection, should envoke a high suspicion for unintentional subdural block. We report two cases of patients who achieved prolonged labor analgesia via epidural technique with only half the initial loading dose of local anesthetic. Both patients also had short episodes of hypotension. Additionally, one patient presented with severe hypoxemia and mild motor block of both upper and lower extremities. The other patient presented with transit unresponsiveness without motor block. Both patients rapidly responded to vasopressors. Desaturation in one patient, however, was persistent lasting for more than four hours. Her bedside chest X-ray was inconclusive “possible pulmonary edema” and the follow up Chest CT Scan on the second day revealed aspiration pneumonia. Based on the clinical findings, these two cases were suggestive of subdural block with cranial nerve involvement.

Safety and efficacy comparison of remimazolam and propofol for intravenous anesthesia during gastroenteroscopic surgery of older patients:A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Remimazolam is characterized by rapid action and inactive metabolites.It is used as the general anesthetic for many clinical surgeries.In this study,we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate whether remimazolam is superior to propofol for gastroenteroscopy in older patients.AIM To compare the adverse events and efficacy of remimazolam and propofol during gastroenteroscopy in older adults.METHODS The PubMed,Web of Science,the Cochrane Library databases were queried for the relevant key words"remimazolam,""and propofol,""and gastrointestinal endoscopy or gastroscopy."The search scope was"Title and Abstract,"and the search was limited to human studies and publications in English.Seven studies wherein remimazolam and propofol were compared were included for the metaanalysis.RESULTS We selected seven randomized controlled trials involving 1445 cases for the analysis.Remimazolam reduced the hypotension(relative risk,RR=0.44,95%CI:0.29-0.66,P=0.000),respiratory depression(RR=0.46,95%CI:0.30-0.70,P=0.000),injection pain(RR=0.12,95%CI:0.05-0.25,P=0.000),bradycardia(RR=0.37,95%CI:0.24-0.58,P=0.000),and time to discharge[weighted mean difference(WMD)=-0.58,95%CI:-0.97 to-0.18,P=0.005],compared to those after propofol administration.No obvious differences were observed for postoperative nausea and vomiting(RR=1.09,95%CI:0.97-1.24,P=0.151),dizziness(RR=0.77,95%CI:0.43-1.36,P=0.361),successful sedation rate(RR=0.96,95%CI:0.93-1.00,P=0.083),or the time to become fully alert(WMD=0.00,95%CI:-1.08-1.08,P=0.998).CONCLUSION Remimazolam appears to be safer than propofol for gastroenteroscopy in older adults.However,further studies are required to confirm these findings.

In vivo imaging reveals a synchronized correlation among neurotransmitter dynamics during propofol and sevoflurane anesthesia

General anesthesia is widely applied in clinical practice.However,the precise mechanism of loss of consciousness induced by general anesthetics remains unknown.Here,we measured the dynamics of five neurotransmitters,includingγ-aminobutyric acid,glutamate,norepinephrine,acetylcholine,and dopamine,in the medial prefrontal cortex and primary visual cortex of C57BL/6 mice through in vivo fiber photometry and genetically encoded neurotransmitter sensors under anesthesia to reveal the mechanism of general anesthesia from a neurotransmitter perspective.Results revealed that the concentrations of γ-aminobutyric acid,glutamate,norepinephrine,and acetylcholine increased in the cortex during propofol-induced loss of consciousness.Dopamine levels did not change following the hypnotic dose of propofol but increased significantly following surgical doses of propofol anesthesia.Notably,the concentrations of the five neurotransmitters generally decreased during sevoflurane-induced loss of consciousness.Furthermore,the neurotransmitter dynamic networks were not synchronized in the non-anesthesia groups but were highly synchronized in the anesthetic groups.These findings suggest that neurotransmitter dynamic network synchronization may cause anesthetic-induced loss of consciousness.

Application value of dexmedetomidine in anesthesia for elderly patients undergoing radical colon cancer surgery

BACKGROUND Colon cancer presents a substantial risk to the well-being of elderly people worldwide.With advancements in medical technology,surgical treatment has become the primary approach for managing colon cancer patients.However,due to age-related physiological changes,especially a decline in cognitive function,older patients are more susceptible to the effects of surgery and anesthesia,increasing the relative risk of postoperative cognitive dysfunction(POCD).There-fore,in the surgical treatment of elderly patients with colon cancer,it is of pa-ramount importance to select an appropriate anesthetic approach to reduce the occurrence of POCD,protect brain function,and improve surgical success rates.METHODS One hundred and seventeen patients with colon cancer who underwent elective surgery under general anesthesia were selected and divided into two groups:A and B.Group A received Dex before anesthesia induction,and B group received an equivalent amount of normal saline.Changes in the mini-mental state exami-nation,regional cerebral oxygen saturation(rSO2),bispectral index,glucose uptake rate(GluER),lactate production rate(LacPR),serum S100βand neuron-specific enolase(NSE),POCD,and adverse anesthesia reactions were compared between the two groups.RESULTS Surgical duration,duration of anesthesia,and intraoperative blood loss were comparable between the two groups(P>0.05).The overall dosage of anesthetic drugs used in group A,including propofol and remifentanil,was significantly lower than that used in group B(P<0.05).Group A exhibited higher rSO2 values at the time of endotracheal intubation,30 min after the start of surgery,and immediately after extubation,higher GluER values and lower LacPR values at the time of endotra-cheal intubation,30 min after the start of surgery,immediately after extubation,and 5 min after extubation(P<0.05).Group A exhibited lower levels of serum S100βand NSE 24 h postoperatively and a lower incidence of cognitive dysfunction on the 1st and 5th postoperative days(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The use of Dex in elderly patients undergoing radical colon cancer surgery helps maintain rSO2 Levels and reduce cerebral metabolic levels and the incidence of anesthesia-and surgery-induced cognitive dysfunction.

Self-assembly of differentiated dental pulp stem cells facilitates spheroid human dental organoid formation and prevascularization

BACKGROUND The self-assembly of solid organs from stem cells has the potential to greatly expand the applicability of regenerative medicine.Stem cells can self-organise into microsized organ units,partially modelling tissue function and regeneration.Dental pulp organoids have been used to recapitulate the processes of tooth development and related diseases.However,the lack of vasculature limits the utility of dental pulp organoids.AIM To improve survival and aid in recovery after stem cell transplantation,we demonstrated the three-dimensional(3D)self-assembly of adult stem cell-human dental pulp stem cells(hDPSCs)and endothelial cells(ECs)into a novel type of spheroid-shaped dental pulp organoid in vitro under hypoxia and conditioned medium(CM).METHODS During culture,primary hDPSCs were induced to differentiate into ECs by exposing them to a hypoxic environment and CM.The hypoxic pretreated hDPSCs were then mixed with ECs at specific ratios and conditioned in a 3D environment to produce prevascularized dental pulp organoids.The biological characteristics of the organoids were analysed,and the regulatory pathways associated with angiogenesis were studied.RESULTS The combination of these two agents resulted in prevascularized human dental pulp organoids(Vorganoids)that more closely resembled dental pulp tissue in terms of morphology and function.Single-cell RNA sequencing of dental pulp tissue and RNA sequencing of Vorganoids were integrated to analyse key regulatory pathways associated with angiogenesis.The biomarkers forkhead box protein O1 and fibroblast growth factor 2 were identified to be involved in the regulation of Vorganoids.CONCLUSION In this innovative study,we effectively established an in vitro model of Vorganoids and used it to elucidate new mechanisms of angiogenesis during regeneration,facilitating the development of clinical treatment strategies.

The neuroscience of pain,addiction,and anesthesia

Researchers and clinicians have long been interested in the mechanisms of pain,anesthesia,and addiction.The International Association for the Study of Pain(IASP)defines pain as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with,or resembling that associated with,actual or potential tissue damage(Raja et al.,2020).Drug addiction refers to a condition of reliance that develops from regular drug consumption,which may lead to withdrawal symptoms when use is halted.Anesthesia involves the complete loss of consciousness induced by an inhaled or intravenous anesthetic(Tosello et al.,2022).In this special collection,Zoological Research presents research findings focused on pain,addiction,and anesthesia.

Anesthesia,Anesthetics,and Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in Elderly Patients

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction(POCD)remains a major issue that worsens the prognosis of elderly surgery patients.This article reviews the current research on the effect of different anesthesia methods and commonly utilized anesthetics on the incidence of POCD in elderly patients,aiming to provide an understanding of the underlying mechanisms contributing to this condition and facilitate the development of more reasonable anesthesia protocols,ultimately reducing the incidence of POCD in elderly surgery patients.

Pharmacokinetic Characterization of Xylazine in Goats with Simultaneous Anesthesia Studies

The aim was to study the pharmacokinetics of xylazine as a stable anesthetic in goats.In this study,goats were injected with xylazine at the rate of 0.3 mL·kg-1 intramusculally,and blood samples were collected at 1,3,5,10,20,30,45,60,90,120,180,and 240 min after administration,respectively.Xylazine was extracted by liquid-liquid extraction and separation method,and blood concentration was determined by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).The pharmacokinetic characteristics of xylazine in healthy goats were analyzed by pharmacokinetic software.The results showed that the chromatographic peak time of xylazine chromatography was 9-11 min.The specificity of the method was good.The linear correlation coefficient R2 of the standard curve was 0.9982 when the concentration of xylazine was in the range of 10-1×1000 ng.The pharmacokinetic model of xylazine in goats was a one-chamber model with first-order rate absorption,distribution half-life t1/2Ka was(0.49±0.041)min,elimination half-life t1/2Ke was(23.3±2.5)min,and the peak time(Tp)of the highest concentration was(2.8±0.2)min.The total drug clearance CL/F was(0.00016±0.000016)mg·kg-1·min-1(ng·mL-1),and the minimum effective blood concentration was 56.6 ng·mL-1,which was consistent with the clinical anesthetic effect.The results showed that xylazine had the characteristics of rapid absorption,wide distribution,short peak time,slow clearance rate,and long anesthetic time in goats,which could be used as the basic drug for the development of goat complex anesthetic preparation.