Bisulfite-containing propofol and Diprivan(TM) (AstraZeneca, Wilmington, DE) were similar with respect to their induction characteristics; however, the generic formulation was associated with a smaller incidence of injection pain. Assuming that the drug costs are similar, these data suggest that the bisulfite-containing formulation of propofol is a cost-effective alternative to Diprivan(TM).

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According to the classic theory of Chinese medicine, pain is due to the blockage in meridian channels, and acupuncture was invented to treat pain by “dredging” the channels. To test the theory, a hyperalgesia model was made by injecting hydrogel into low hydraulic resistance channel (LHRC) in 12 anaesthetized minipigs. Tail-flick threshold and ear-flick threshold were measured using a thermal radiation dolorimeter, and relative flick threshold (RFT) was calculated. Hydraulic resistance (HR) was measured with a biological HR measuring instrument on low HR points on LHRC and on control points with higher HR located outside LHRC; readings were recorded before, during, and after acupuncture treatment. RFT decreased after blocking the LRHC and was still significantly decreased 2 days and 4 days afterwards. No significant changes occurred when injecting saline into the same points or injecting gel into points outside the channel. Subsequent acupuncture reduced HR on LRHC along meridians but had no significant effect on sites with higher HR located outside LHRC. One of the mechanisms of action of acupuncture treatment for chronic pain may be that acupuncture affects peripheral tissue by reducing the HR in LHRC along meridians, improving the flow of interstitial fluid and removing algogenic substances and thereby relieving pain.

Findings from observational studies have suggested a possible association between dietary inflammatory index (DII) and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and preeclampsia (PE). However, the results of these studies were inconclusive. A systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out to illuminate this association. Systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Scopus and other databases from inception until January 2023. The qualities of included studies were assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Nine studies (7 cohort, 2 case-control) were included in the meta-analysis, including 11423 participants from five different countries. The meta-analysis indicated that a 1-unit increase in the DII score, representing pro-inflammatory diet, was associated with 13% higher risk of GDM (OR=1.13; 95%CI: 1.02-1.25, I2=68.4%, P=0.004) and 24% higher risk of PE (OR=1.24; 95%CI: 1.14-1.35, I2=52.0%, P=0.125). Subgroup analysis found that this association was evident among studies with Chinese populations (OR=1.16; 95%CI: 1.06-1.28) and studies with mid pregnancy (OR=1.20; 95%CI: 1.07-1.34). The findings indicate that pro-inflammatory diet can increase the risk of GDM and PE. Considering some limitations in this study, more studies are needed to verify this association.