BackgroundDexmedetomidine (Dex) was reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory effect in the nervous system. However, the mechanism by which Dex exhibits anti-inflammation effects on LPS-stimulated BV2 microglia cells remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the role of Dex in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells.MethodsThe BV2 cells were stimulated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS). BV2 cells were infected with short-hairpin RNAs targeting NF-κB (NF-κB-shRNAs) and NF-κB overexpression lentivirus, respectively. In addition, miR-340 mimics or miR-340 inhibitor was transfected into BV2 cells, respectively. Meanwhile, the dual-luciferase reporter system assay was used to explore the interaction of miR-340 and NF-κB in BV2 cells. CCK-8 was used to detect the viability of BV2 cells. In addition, Western blotting was used to detect the level of NF-κB in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. The levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-12, IL-10 and MCP-1 in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells were measured with ELISA.ResultsThe level of miR-340 was significantly upregulated in Dex-treated BV2 cells. Meanwhile, the level of NF-κB was significantly increased in BV2 cells following infection with lenti-NF-κB, which was markedly reversed by Dex. LPS markedly increased the expression of NF-κB and proinflammatory cytokines in BV2 cells, which were reversed in the presence of Dex. Moreover, miR-340 mimics enhanced the anti-inflammatory effects of Dex in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells via inhibiting NF-κB and proinflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, Dex obviously inhibited LPS-induced phagocytosis in BV2 cells.ConclusionTaken together, our results suggested that Dex might exert anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells via upregulation of miR-340. Therefore, Dex might serve as a potential agent for the treatment of neuroinflammation.

Background: Abnormal laryngeal structures are likely to be associated with a difficult laryngoscopy procedure. Currently, laryngeal structures can be measured by ultrasonography, however, little research has been performed on the potential role of ultrasound on the evaluation of a difficult laryngoscopy. The present study investigated the value of laryngeal structure measurements for predicting a difficult laryngoscopy. Objective: The main objective of this study was to explore the value of laryngeal structure measurements for predicting a difficult laryngoscopy. Methods: Two hundred and eleven adult patients (over 18 years old) were recruited to undergo elective surgery under general anesthesia via endotracheal intubation. Ultrasound was utilized to measure the distance between the skin and thyroid cartilage (DST), the distance between the thyroid cartilage and epiglottis (DTE), and the distance between the skin and epiglottis (DSE) in the parasagittal plane. These metrics were then investigated as predictors for classifying a laryngoscopy as difficult vs easy, as defined by the Cormack and Lehane grading scale. Results: Multivariate logistic regression showed that the DSE, but not DST or DTE, was significantly related to difficult laryngoscopies. Specifically, a DSE ≥ 2.36 cm predicted difficult laryngoscopies with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.818 (95% CI: 0.766-0.870) and 0.856 (95% CI: 0.809-0.904). Furthermore, when combining the best model constructed of other indicators (i.e. sex, body mass index, modified Mallampati test) to predict the difficult laryngoscopy, the AUC reached 93.28%. Conclusion: DSE is an independent predictor of a difficult laryngoscopy; a DSE cutoff value of 2.36 cm is a better predictor of a difficult laryngoscope than other ultrasound or physiological measurements for predicting a difficult laryngoscope. Nevertheless, it's more valuable to apply the best model of this study, composed of various physiological measurements, for this prediction purpose.

Background: Abnormal laryngeal structures are likely to be associated with a difficult laryngoscopy procedure. Currently, laryngeal structures can be measured by ultrasonography, however, little research has been performed on the potential role of ultrasound on the evaluation of a difficult laryngoscopy. The present study investigated the value of laryngeal structure measurements for predicting a difficult laryngoscopy. Objective: The main objective of this study was to explore the value of laryngeal structure measurements for predicting a difficult laryngoscopy. Methods: Two hundred and eleven adult patients (over 18 years old) were recruited to undergo elective surgery under general anesthesia via endotracheal intubation. Ultrasound was utilized to measure the distance between the skin and thyroid cartilage (DST), the distance between the thyroid cartilage and epiglottis (DTE), and the distance between the skin and epiglottis (DSE) in the parasagittal plane. These metrics were then investigated as predictors for classifying a laryngoscopy as difficult vs easy, as defined by the Cormack and Lehane grading scale. Results: Multivariate logistic regression showed that the DSE, but not DST or DTE, was significantly related to difficult laryngoscopies. Specifically, a DSE ≥ 2.36 cm predicted difficult laryngoscopies with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.818 (95% CI: 0.766-0.870) and 0.856 (95% CI: 0.809-0.904). Furthermore, when combining the best model constructed of other indicators (i.e. sex, body mass index, modified Mallampati test) to predict the difficult laryngoscopy, the AUC reached 93.28%. Conclusion: DSE is an independent predictor of a difficult laryngoscopy; a DSE cutoff value of 2.36 cm is a better predictor of a difficult laryngoscope than other ultrasound or physiological measurements for predicting a difficult laryngoscope. Nevertheless, it's more valuable to apply the best model of this study, composed of various physiological measurements, for this prediction purpose. Key words: difficult airway ;endotracheal intubation ; ultrasound