Objective:To evaluate the relationship between intraoperative hypothermia and early postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in pediatric patients undergoing living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).Methods:This was a retrospective study. Medical records of pediatric patients of either sex, aged 4-24 months, diagnosed with congenital biliary atresia who underwent LDLT from January 2021 to March 2023 were collected from the electronic medical record system of Tianjin First Central Hospital. The collected data included general characteristics, intraoperative conditions, and PPCs such as postoperative pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, pleural effusion, atelectasis, and pulmonary edema within 1 week after operation. Additional indicators comprised the difference in systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) between 1 day before surgery and at the end of surgery (ΔSII), concentration of hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) at the end of surgery, postoperative mechanical ventilation time, and duration of intensive care unit stay. Pediatric patients were divided into PPCs group and non-PPCs group based on the development of PPCs. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between factors associated with intraoperative hypothermia and PPCs.Results:A total of 226 pediatric patients were included in the study, with 126 cases in PPCs group and 100 cases in non-PPCs group. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that pre-reperfusion hypothermia, duration of hypothermia, ΔSII and concentrations of hs-CRP at the end of operation were independent risk factors for the occurrence of PPCs ( P<0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of pre-reperfusion hypothermia and duration of hypothermia in predicting PPCs was 0.594 (95% confidence interval [ CI] 0.521-0.668, P=0.015) and 0.702 (95% CI 0.634-0.770, P<0.001), respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of combination of factors associated with hypothermia (pre-reperfusion hypothermia, duration of hypothermia) and inflammatory indicators (ΔSII, plasma hs-CRP concentration at the end of surgery) in predicting PPCs was 0.977 (95% CI 0.959-0.995, P<0.001). Conclusions:Pre-reperfusion hypothermia and duration of hypothermia are independent risk factors for early PPCs in infants, and their predictive value for the development of PPCs is higher when combined with ΔSII and plasma hs-CRP concentration in pediatric patients undergoing LDLT.

Objective:To evaluate the role of YTH domain family protein 2 (YTHDF2) in myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) in diabetic rats and the relationship with the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (NRF2)-ferritinophagy.Methods:This experiment was performed in 2 parts. Part Ⅰ Animal experiment SPF healthy male rats, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 200-220 g, were used. A type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 1% streptozotocin at a dose of 65 mg/kg. Thirty-six diabetic rats were divided into 3 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: DM sham operation group (DS group), DM myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion group (DIR group), and YTHDF2 knockdown + DM myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion group (AAV-Y+ DIR group). Another 36 non-diabetic rats were selected and divided into 4 groups using the random number table method: sham operation group (NS group, n=12), myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion group (NIR group, n=12), adeno-associated virus control group (AAV-N group, n=6), and YTHDF2 knockdown group (AAV-Y group, n=6). The MIRI model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery for 30 min, followed by reperfusion for 2 h. Adeno-associated virus was employed to knock down YTHDF2. At the end of reperfusion, serum concentrations of creatine kinase isoenzyme MB(CK-MB) and cardiac troponin Ⅰ(cTnI) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The animals were sacrificed, myocardial tissues were harvested, and the pathological changes were observed with a light microscope to assess the myocardial infarct size. The expression of YTHDF2, NRF2, and nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4) was detected by Western blot. Part Ⅱ Cell experiment H9c2 cells were divided into 9 groups ( n=24 each) using the random number table method: control group (NC group), high-glucose group (HG group), hypoxia-reoxygenation group (HR group), high-glucose hypoxia-reoxygenation group (HHR group), transfection control group (siN group), YTHDF2 knockdown group (siY group), YTHDF2 knockdown + high-glucose hypoxia-reoxygenation group (siY + HHR group), NRF2 inhibitor ML385 + high-glucose hypoxia-reoxygenation group (M + HHR group), and YTHDF2 knockdown + NRF2 inhibitor ML385 + high-glucose hypoxia-reoxygenation group (siY + M + HHR group). The cells were transfected with siRNA to knock down YTHDF2, and a high-glucose, hypoxia and reoxygenation injury model was established by subjecting cells to 48 h of high glucose, followed by 4 h of hypoxia and 2 h of reoxygenation. The cell viability and lactic dehydrogenase(LDH) activity were determined, autophagic vesicles were counted, and the expression of YTHDF2, NRF2 and NCOA4 was detected by Western blot. Results:Part Ⅰ Animal experiment At the end of myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion, serum levels of CK-MB and cTnI and the percentage of myocardial infarct size were significantly increased, the expression of YTHDF2 and NCOA4 in myocardial tissues was up-regulated, and the expression of NRF2 was down-regulated in both diabetic and non-diabetic groups ( P<0.05). Compared with NIR group, serum levels of CK-MB and cTnI and the percentage of myocardial infarct size were significantly increased, the expression of YTHDF2 and NCOA4 in myocardial tissues was up-regulated, and the expression of NRF2 was down-regulated in DIR group ( P<0.05). Compared with DIR group, serum levels of CK-MB and cTnI and the percentage of myocardial infarct size were significantly decreased, the expression of YTHDF2 and NCOA4 in myocardial tissues was down-regulated, and the expression of NRF2 was up-regulated ( P<0.05), and the pathological damage was reduced in AAV-Y + DIR group. Part Ⅱ Cell experiment Compared with HG and HR groups, the cell viability was significantly decreased, the activity of LDH was increased, the counts of autophagic vesicle were increased, the expression of YTHDF2 and NCOA4 was up-regulated, and the expression of NRF2 was down-regulated in HHR group ( P<0.05). Compared with HHR group, the cell viability was significantly decreased, the activity of LDH was increased, the counts of autophagic vesicle were increased, the expression of YTHDF2 and NCOA4 was up-regulated, and the expression of NRF2 was down-regulated in M + HHR group, and the cell viability was significantly increased, the activity of LDH was decreased, the counts of autophagic vesicle were decreased, the expression of YTHDF2 and NCOA4 was down-regulated, and the expression of NRF2 was up-regulated in siY + HHR group ( P<0.05), and no statistically significant changes were found in the above indicators in siY + M + HHR group ( P>0.05) Conclusions:YTHDF2 can down-regulate the expression of NRF2, enhance the level of ferritinophagy, and participate in the process of MIRI in diabetic rats.

Objective:To identify the risk factors for postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.Methods:In this case-control study, 6 differentially expressed genes were screened through gene expression database analysis and protein-protein interaction network analysis: cytochrome c oxidase subunit 7C (COX7C), ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase complex III subunit VII (UQCRQ), cytochrome c oxidase subunit 7A2 (COX7A2), translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 7, ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit S5, and ribosomal protein L31. Elderly patients who underwent hip fracture surgery at Anhui No. 2 Provincial People′s Hospital from April 2022 to April 2024 were recruited. Based on the results of the Mini-Mental State Examination, the patients were divided into POCD group ( n=51) and non-POCD (NPOCD) group ( n=53). The expression of differentially expressed genes in the peripheral blood was detected using the fluorescent quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The 6 differentially expressed genes were subjected to a difference test, and genes with P<0.05 were included in the binary logistic regression analysis to screen for risk factors for POCD. Results:The expression of COX7C, UQCRQ and COX7A2 was significantly down-regulated in POCD group compared with non-POCD group ( P<0.05). The results of logistic regression showed that the low-expression COX7C ( OR=1.926, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 1.604-5.264, P=0.022), UQCRQ ( OR=3.023, 95% CI 1.966-7.156, P=0.001), and COX7A2 ( OR=1.744, 95% CI 1.479-6.127, P=0.013) in peripheral blood were independent risk factors for the occurrence of POCD in elderly patients. Conclusions:Low-expression COX7C, UQCRQ and COX7A2 are risk factors for POCD in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of dexmedetomidine-scalp nerve block (SNB) combined with general anesthesia in the patients with acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) undergoing craniotomy.Methods:In this randomized controlled trial, 74 American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ-Ⅲ patients of either sex with acute TBI, aged 30-78 yr, with body mass index of 18-30 kg/m 2, underwent craniotomy for hematoma evacuation combined with decompressive craniectomy at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Kunshan from January to December 2024, of the Glasgow Coma Scale score 8-12, were selected and divided into 2 groups ( n=37 each) using a random number table method: dexmedetomidine combined with ultrasound-guided SNB group (DS group) and ultrasound-guided SNB group (S group). Before anesthesia, dexmedetomidine was infused as a loading dose of 1 μg/kg over 10 min followed by an infusion of 0.3 μg·kg -1·h -1 until the end of operation. Ultrasound-guided SNB was performed after completion of intubation in both groups. The consumption of intraoperative fentanyl, propofol and remifentanil and the usage of vasoactive drugs were recorded. Before surgery (T 0), at 1 h after the start of surgery (T 1) and at the end of surgery (T 2), blood samples from the jugular bulbar and radial artery were collected, the jugular venous oxygen saturation was recorded, the arteriovenous oxygen content and cerebral oxygen uptake rate were calculated, and the occurrence of postoperative complications was also recorded. Results:Compared with group S, the consumption of fentanyl, propofol and remifentanil was significantly reduced, the usage rate of vasoactive drugs was decreased, the arteriovenous oxygen content and cerebral oxygen uptake rate were decreased at T 1 and T 2, the jugular venous oxygen saturation was increased, and the incidence of postoperative agitation was decreased in group DS ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Dexmedetomidine-SNB combined with general anesthesia can optimize the analgesic effect, improve cerebral oxygen supply and demand, reduce the occurrence of postoperative agitation when used in patients with acute TBI undergoing craniotomy.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of terlipressin combined with dopamine on intraoperative renal perfusion and early postoperative renal function in patients undergoing living-donor kidney transplantation.Methods:In this prospective cohort study, 84 patients of either sex, aged 18-64 yr, with a body mass index of 18.5-28.0 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅲ or Ⅳ, undergoing living-donor kidney transplantation at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from September 2022 to July 2024, in whom dopamine was continuously infused during operation to maintain fluctuation in the mean arterial pressure within 10% of the baseline value, were selected and divided into dopamine group (group D, n=42) and dopamine+ terlipressin group (group DT, n=42) based on whether terlipressin was used during operation. Terlipressin was continuously infused at a constant rate even before induction in group DT. The renal artery resistance index, intraoperative urine output, urine output within 24 h after surgery, concentration of creatinine within 7 days after surgery, glomerular filtration rate and delayed postoperative transplanted renal function were recorded. Results:Compared with group D, the intraoperative renal vascular resistance index was significantly reduced, the intraoperative urine output was increased ( P<0.01), and no statistical change was found in the urine output within 24 h after surgery, concentration of creatinine within 7 days after surgery, glomerular filtration rate and incidence of delayed postoperative transplanted renal function in group DT ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Terlipressin combined with dopamine provides better efficacy than dopamine alone in improving intraoperative renal perfusion and exerts no effect on early postoperative renal function in patients undergoing living-donor kidney transplantation.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of different doses of sufentanil on the pupillary dilation reflex (PDR) during induction of general anesthesia.Methods:In this randomized controlled study, 124 patients of either sex, aged 18-64 yr, with a body mass index of 18-30 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ or Ⅱ, undergoing surgery with general anesthesia, were divided into 4 groups ( n=31 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C) and different doses of sufentanil groups (S1-S3 groups). Sufentanil 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 μg/kg were intravenously injected in S1-S3 groups, respectively, and the equal volume of normal saline was injected instead in group C. Tetanic stimulation (50 mA, 50 Hz, 5 s) was applied at 5 min after injection of sufentanil. Pupil diameter was measured and the pupillary dilation value and dilation rate were calculated upon entering the operating room while awake, after loss of consciousness, 5 min after intravenous injection of sufentanil, and at maximal pupil diameter after tetanic stimulation. The presence or absence of PDR, PDR latency and PDR duration were also recorded. Results:The pupillary dilation values and dilation rates decreased progressively from group C through groups S1 to S3 ( P<0.05). Compared to group C, the disappearance rate of PDR was significantly increased, and the latency of PDR was prolonged in groups S2 and S3, and the duration of PDR was significantly shortened in groups S1-S3 ( P<0.05). Compared to group S1, the disappearance rate of PDR was significantly increased, and the latency of PDR was prolonged in S2 and S3 groups ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The inhibitory effect of sufentanil on the PDR during induction of general anesthesia is dose-dependent.

Objective:To identify the risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in lower limbs after total hip arthroplasty (THA) in elderly patients.Methods:Medical records of elderly patients, aged ≥ 65 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ-Ⅳ, who underwent unilateral THA from June 2013 to May 2019, were retrospectively collected. Postoperative screening for DVT was performed using Doppler ultrasound, and the patients were divided into non-DVT group and DVT group based on the results. Logistic regression analysis was then employed to identify the risk factors associated with DVT.Results:The results of logistic regression analysis revealed that female, preoperative C-reaction protein concentration>8 mg/L, intraoperative hypotension, and postoperative transfer to intensive care unit were independent risk factors for DVT after THA in elderly patients ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Female, preoperative C-reaction protein concentration>8 mg/L, intraoperative hypotension, and postoperative transfer to intensive care unit are independent risk factors for DVT in lower limbs following THA in elderly patients.

Objective:To evaluate the role of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase (HO-1) signaling pathway in the attenuation of endotoxin-induced acute lung injury (ALI) by hydromorphone and the relationship with Golgi apparatus stress (GA stress) in mice.Methods:Eighteen SPF wild-type (WT) and 18 Nrf2 knockout (Nrf2 KO) male C57BL/6J mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 18-20 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=6 each) using a random number table method: control groups (WT+ Con group, Nrf2 KO+ Con group), ALI groups (WT+ ALI group, Nrf2 KO+ ALI group) and ALI+ hydromorphone groups (WT+ ALI+ HM group, Nrf2 KO+ ALI+ HM group). ALI was induced by injecting lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 15 mg/kg via the tail vein in anesthetized animals. Hydromorphone 120 μg was intraperitoneally injected at 15 min before LPS injection in WT+ ALI+ HM group and Nrf2 KO+ ALI+ HM group, and the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in control groups. The animals were sacrificed after anesthesia at 12 h after LPS injection, and lung tissues were obtained for examination of the pathological changes which were scored and Golgi ultrastructure (with a transmission electron microscope) and for determination of the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and Golgi stress-related markers (Golgi matrix protein 130 [GM130], Golgi autoantigen 97 kDa [Golgin-97], ATPase secretory pathway Ca 2+ Transporting 1 [ATP2C1], Golgi phosphoprotein 3 [GOLPH3]) (by Western blot). Results:Compared with WT+ Con group and Nrf2 KO+ Con group, the lung injury scores and content of MDA were significantly increased, the activity of SOD was decreased, the expression of GM130, Golgin-97 and ATP2C1 was down-regulated, the expression of GOLPH3 was up-regulated ( P<0.05), no significant changes were found in the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 ( P>0.05), and the damage to the Golgi apparatus was aggravated in WT+ ALI group and Nrf2 KO+ ALI group. Compared with WT+ ALI group, the lung injury scores and content of MDA were significantly decreased, the activity of SOD was increased, the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, GM130, Golgin-97 and ATP2C1 was up-regulated, the expression of GOLPH3 was down-regulated ( P<0.05), and the damage to the Golgi apparatus was significantly attenuated in WT+ ALI+ HM group. Compared with Nrf2 KO+ ALI group, the lung injury scores were significantly decreased, and the activity of SOD was increased ( P<0.05), no significant changes were found in the content of MDA and expression of Nrf2, HO-1, GM130, Golgin-97, ATP2C1 and GOLPH3 ( P>0.05), and no significant reduction in the damage to the Golgi apparatus was found in Nrf2 KO+ ALI+ HM group. Compared with WT+ ALI+ HM group, the lung injury scores and content of MDA were significantly increased, the activity of SOD was decreased, the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, GM130, Golgin-97 and ATP2C1 was down-regulated, the expression of GOLPH3 was up-regulated ( P<0.05), and the damage to the Golgi apparatus was aggravated in Nrf2 KO+ ALI+ HM group. Conclusions:Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway is involved in the attenuation of endotoxin-induced ALI by hydromorphone, and it is associated with the inhibition of Golgi stress.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) during the perioperative period and early postoperative recurrence in patients with advanced gastric cancer.Methods:In this prospective study, 188 American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients, aged 18-75 yr, with a body mass index of 20-30 kg/m 2, with radiological staging of T 2-4N xM 0, underwent elective gastric cancer radical surgery under general anesthesia at the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2018 to April 2022, were selected. The NLR was measured at 1 day before operation and postoperative days 1, 3 and 5. The difference between postoperative and preoperative NLR (ΔNLR) was calculated. Based on the presence or absence of tumor recurrence and/or metastasis within 2 yr after surgery, the patients were divided into recurrence group and non-recurrence group. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was employed to evaluate the early postoperative recurrence and perioperative NLR in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Results:A total of 171 patients ultimately completed the follow-up. There were 77 cases in recurrence group and 94 in non-recurrence group. Compared to non-recurrence group, NLR and ΔNLR were significantly increased on the 5th day after operation in recurrence group ( P<0.05). The elevated NLR and ΔNLR at postoperative day 5 were independent risk factors for recurrence within 2 yr in patients with advanced gastric cancer ( HR=1.026, P<0.05). Conclusions:NLR may not be associated with the risk of early postoperative recurrence in the patients with advanced gastric cancer, and further evaluation with large-scale studies is needed.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between NAD + -dependent protein deacylase sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) and tau protein during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)-induced neuroinflammation in rats. Method:Thirty-six healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 250-300 g, were used in this study. Eighteen rats were divided into 3 groups ( n=6 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (C1 group), CPB1 group and tau protein inhibitor methionine+ CPB group (methionine+ CPB group). Another 18 rats were divided into 3 groups ( n=6 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (C2 group), CPB2 group and SIRT1 agonist SRT1720+ CPB group (SRT+ CPB group). Methionine+ CPB group received oral methionine 10.5 mg/kg once a day for 7 consecutive days. SRT1720 10 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected once a day for 5 consecutive days in SRT+ CPB group. The model of CPB was developed after the end of drug administration. Rats were weaned off the bypass system after 1 h of circulatory support and sacrificed, and brain tissues were harvested for determination of the contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-4 (using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), expression of CD32, ARG1, SIRT1, tau protein and acetylated tau protein (ac-tau) (by Western blot), and expression of CD32, ARG1, SIRT1 and tau mRNA (by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction). Results:Compared with C1 group, the contents of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly increased, the content of IL-4 was decreased, the expression of tau and CD32 protein and mRNA was up-regulated, and the expression of ARG1 protein and mRNA was down-regulated in CPB1 group ( P<0.05). Compared with CPB1 group, the contents of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly decreased, the content of IL-4 was increased, the expression of tau and CD32 protein and mRNA was down-regulated, and the expression of ARG1 protein and mRNA was up-regulated in M+ CPB group ( P<0.05). Compared with C2 group, the contents of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly increased, the content of IL-4 was decreased, the expression of ac-tau and tau and CD32 protein and mRNA was up-regulated, and the expression of SITR1 and ARG1 protein and mRNA was down-regulated in CPB2 group ( P<0.05). Compared with CPB2 group, the contents of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly decreased, the content of IL-4 was increased, the expression of ac-tau and tau and CD32 protein and mRNA was down-regulated, and the expression of SITR1 and ARG1 protein and mRNA was up-regulated in SRT+ CPB group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The down-regulated SIRT1 expression in brain tissues after cardiopulmonary bypass can inhibit deacetylation of tau protein, promote M1 polarization of microglia, inhibit M2 polarization, and ultimately induce neuroinflammation in rats.