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Herpes zoster (HZ) is a localized, painful cutaneous eruption that occurs upon reactivation of the herpes virus. Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common chronic complication of HZ. In this study, we examined the metabolomic and proteomic signatures of disease progression in patients with HZ and PHN. We identified differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs), differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), and key signaling pathways that transition from healthy volunteers to the acute or/and chronic phases of herpetic neuralgia. Moreover, some specific metabolites correlated with pain scores, disease duration, age, and pain in sex dimorphism. In addition, we developed and validated three optimal predictive models (AUC > 0.9) for classifying HZ and PHN from healthy individuals based on metabolic patterns and machine learning. These findings may reveal the overall metabolomics and proteomics landscapes and proposed the optimal machine learning predictive models, which provide insights into the mechanisms of HZ and PHN.

Background: Previous observational studies have suggested the involvement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in chronic pain. However, whether the 25(OH)D is a novel target for management, the causality remains unclear.Methods: A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study was conducted to identify the causal association between 25(OH)D and low back pain (LBP). The primary analysis was revealing causality from serum 25(OH)D level (n = 417,580) on LBP (21,140 cases and 227,388 controls). The replicated analysis was performing MR estimates from circulating 25(OH)D concentration (n = 79,366) on LBP experienced last month (118,471 cases and 343,386 controls). Inverse variance weighted (IVW) was used as the main analysis. In addition, we used weighted median and MR-Egger to enhance the robustness. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the robustness of MR results.Results: IVW estimation indicated strong evidence that higher serum 25(OH)D levels exerted a protective effect on LBP (OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.83–0.96, p = 0.002). Similar trends were also found in replicate analysis (OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.96–1.00, p = 0.07). After meta-analysis combining primary and replicated analysis, the causal effect is significant (p = 0.03). Sensitivity analysis supported that the MR estimates were robust.Conclusion: In our MR study, genetically increased serum 25(OH)D levels were associated with a reduced risk of LBP in the European population. This might have an implication for clinicians that vitamin D supplements might be effective for patients with LBP in clinical practice.

BackgroundLittle is known about the recent use of neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) and monitoring in China. This paper presents the results of a nationwide survey conducted to obtain information regarding the current management of NMBAs in China.MethodsA questionnaire was sent to Chinese anesthesiologists inviting them to participate in the study. The questionnaire was available through the wenjuanxing website, and the link was sent to 1,488 anesthesiologists using the Wechat mini app.ResultsThe web-based survey consisted of 28 questions, and data were collected using an online tool. Between May 19, 2021 and June 16, 2021, 637 responses were collected (response rate = 42.8%). Only 10.2% of anesthesiologists reported using neuromuscular function monitors, and 6.59% of respondents reported that they had the relevant monitors in the operating room.ConclusionAlthough PORC is a potential safety issue, the frequency of using reversal agents and monitors remains extremely low in China. Surveys such as this are important to understand the use and application customs of NMBAs in China.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the gradual recovery of anesthesia nursing unit and avoiding cross-infection between surgical patients and staff are difficult problems for hospital managers. We outlined the emergency response measures and the transition to normal operation of the anesthesia nursing unit in West China Hospital, which is a large teaching hospital. This mainly included hospital and operating room channel management, three-level screening management of patients and medical staff, classification management of patients undergoing anesthesia and recovery, training management of medical personnel, strict environmental management, and online teaching management.