Objective:To evaluate the optimization effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) combined with moderate sedation with propofol (TEAS-propofol balanced anesthesia) for gastrointestinal endoscopy.Methods:This was a single-blind randomized controlled trial. American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ-Ⅲ patients, aged 18-64 yr, undergoing elective gastrointestinal endoscopy at the Endoscopic Diagnosis and Treatment Center of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from May to August 2022, were divided into 2 groups using the block random allocation method: conventional anesthesia group (group C) and TEAS-propofol balanced anesthesia group (group TPB). Patients received moderate sedation with propofol plus routine anesthesia with fentanyl 50 μg in group C. In TPB group, TEAS was performed at bilateral Neiguan, Hegu and Zusanli acupoints before surgery until the end of surgery, and patients received propofol for moderate sedation (Modified Observer′s Assessment of Alertness/Sedation scale score was 3). The efficacy and safety of anesthesia and parameters related to outcomes were observed and recorded.Results:In this study, 66 patients were recruited, with 33 in each group, the failure rate of anesthesia in both groups was 3%, and no reflux or aspiration was found. Compared with group C, no significant changes were found in the patients′ satisfaction on the same day, intraoperative pain response score, incidence of intraoperative adverse reactions (tachycardia, hypertension, bucking and body movement), awake time, consumption of propofol, rate of intraoperative awareness and rate of patients hoping to receive the same anesthesia method again postoperatively ( P>0.05), the patients′ satisfaction was significantly increased on the next day ( P<0.05), the incidence of intraoperative respiratory depression, physician satisfaction, and degree of postoperative dizziness and nausea were significantly reduced ( P<0.05), and the discharge time and time to the complete recovery of normal behavior function was significantly shortened in group TPB ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The combination of TEAS at bilateral Neiguan, Hegu and Zusanli acupoints with moderate sedation using propofol for gastrointestinal endoscopy is not only safe and effective, but also beneficial to the postoperative outcome of patients, and the effect is better than that of conventional anesthesia with propofol and fentanyl.

Objective:To radiolabel hyperbranched polymer (HG)-modified liquid metal nanodroplet (LMND)@HG with 177Lu, and explore the radiotherapy sensitization effect on anti-breast cancer therapy. Methods:The ultrasonication method was used to prepare LMND@HG, and then 177LuCl 3 was mixed with LMND@HG to label 177Lu by alloying reactions. The labeling rate, plasma stability and cytotoxicity of 177Lu-LMND@HG were detected. Xenograft mouse model of breast cancer was constructed, and the tumor inhibition test was performed by an intratumoral injection. The tumor progression was monitored by in vivo imaging system. The mechanism of tumor inhibition was verified by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assays. One-way analysis of variance, repeated measures analysis of variance, and the least significant difference t test were used to analyze the data. Results:177Lu was successfully labeled to LMND@HG with a high labeling efficiency >95%. The product did not require further purification and the plasma radiochemical purity was still higher than 95% after 5 d. The cytotoxicity test showed that a dose of 888 kBq (40 mg/L) 177Lu-LMND@HG had obvious toxicity to 4T1 cells, which was significantly lower than 177LuCl 3 (cell viabilities: (16.48±7.81)% vs (85.77±8.87)%; F=77.81, t=11.73, P<0.001) and LMND@HG ((46.53±5.75)%; t=6.20, P<0.001). The biological distribution results showed that 177Lu-LMND@HG was mainly distributed in tumor tissue 5 d after intratumoral injection. The results of the tumor inhibition experiment showed that 1.48 MBq 177Lu-LMND@HG could significantly inhibit the tumor growth compared with the 177LuCl 3 (tumor volume: (222.66±97.70) vs (789.13±245.04) mm 3;F=18.55, t=4.29, P=0.005). In vivo optical imaging of small animals showed that 1.48 MBq and 3.70 MBq 177Lu-LMND@HG both significantly inhibited the tumor growth. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical results showed that 177Lu-LMND@HG caused double-stranded DNA break, and suppressed the tumor growth by inhibiting cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Conclusions:A novel 177Lu-liquid metal-based reactive oxygen species (ROS) radiation sensitizer is successfully prepared in this study. The preparation method is efficient and convenient, and the product has high stability. 177Lu-LMND@HG shows an obvious radiotherapy sensitization effect on breast tumor-bearing mice.