OBJECTIVE To investigate the protective effect of 2-dodecyl-6-methoxy-2，5-diene-1，4-cyclohexanedione （DMDD）， an active component from Averrhoa carambola root， on myocardial injury in diabetic mice based on the nuclear receptor coactivator 4/ferritin heavy chain 1/autophagy-related protein 8 （NCOA4/FTH1/ATG8） axis. METHODS The successfully modeled diabetic mice were randomly divided into model group and DMDD low-， medium-， and high-dose （12.5， 25， 50 mg/kg） groups， while an additional non-modeled control group was established， with 6 mice in each group. Each group received the corresponding drug solution or an equal volume of normal saline intragastically once daily for 21 consecutive days. After the administration， the levels of fasting blood glucose （FBG）， serum lactate dehydrogenase （LDH）， and creatine kinase isoenzyme MB （CK-MB） were measured. Myocardial pathological changes， degree of fibrosis， and myocardial cell ultrastructure were observed. Myocardial cell death index and NCOA4 protein positive index were detected. The protein expression levels of NCOA4， FTH1， ATG8， solute carrier family 7 member 11 （SLC7A11）， and glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4） in cardiac tissue were measured. RESULTS Compared with model group， each DMDD group showed significant alleviation of cardiac pathological injury and varying degrees of improvement in the myocardial cell ultrastructure. The FBG and serum LDH and CK-MB levels， the myocardial cell death index and NCOA4 protein positive index，the protein expression levels of NCOA4， FTH1， and ATG8 in cardiac tissue were significantly decreased （ P ＜0.001）， while the protein expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 were significantly increased （ P ＜0.001）. CONCLUSIONS DMDD can reduce blood glucose levels， alleviate myocardial histopathological injury， and inhibit cell death in diabetic mice. The mechanism is associated with inhibiting excessive activation of the NCOA4/FTH1/ATG8 axis and reducing ferritinophagy.

In recent years, research on stem cell therapy in the field of lung transplantation has gradually increased, demonstrating its potential in improving the outcomes of lung transplantation. As a treatment option for end-stage lung diseases, lung transplantation faces challenges such as scarcity of donor organs, postoperative complications and rejection. Stem cells, with their self-renewal and multi-directional differentiation capabilities, have emerged as strong candidates for alternative or adjunctive treatments. Current studies show that embryonic stem cells and umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells play significant roles in lung tissue regeneration and immune regulation. However, stem cell therapy still needs to overcome issues such as the selection of cell sources, low survival rates after transplantation and unclear long-term efficacy in clinical applications. Future research should focus on exploring new stem cell sources, improving transplantation techniques and establishing efficacy evaluation systems.

Objective:To investigate the effect of oral capsaicin stimulation on the cerebral cortex hemodynamics of patients with post-stroke dysphagia (PSD).Methods:Thirty-four PSD patients were subjected to oral stimulation with either a saline or a capsaicin solution. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to document any changes in cortical oxyhemoglobin (HbO) concentrations and cortical activation. Functional connectivity (FC) and hemispheric lateralization were analyzed.Results:(1) Capsaicin stimulation significantly increased HbO concentration in the prefrontal and motor areas, producing significantly greater activation than saline stimulation and the resting state. (2) Both saline and capsaicin oral stimulation enhanced whole brain FC, with capsaicin producing a more pronounced increase between the bilateral prefrontal cortex and the right motor cortex. (3) Both saline and capsaicin stimulation induced a right-hemispheric lateralization trend in the whole brain and the prefrontal cortex, while the motor cortex maintained a left-lateralization pattern. Notably, the lateralization index under capsaicin oral stimulation was significantly higher than that under saline oral stimulation.Conclusions:Compared with the resting state and saline stimulation, capsaicin oral stimulation significantly enhances cortical activation above the resting state, and significantly more than saline stimulation. It increases FC between the prefrontal and motor cortices, and promotes adjustments in brain lateralization patterns in persons with PSD.

Objective To explore the changes in trace elements and amino acid profiles in serum of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) providing a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods A total of 104 patients with HCC who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of our hospital from January 2024 to April 2024 were selected as the study group, and 139 patients with benign biliary diseases during the same period were selected as the control group. Atomic absorption spectrometry was used to detect the levels of six trace elements (copper, zinc, calcium, magnesium, iron, and lead) in the serum of both groups, and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to measure the concentrations of 21 amino acids.Results Compared with the control group, the serum copper level in the HCC group was significantly increased (P<0.05), while the levels of zinc and iron were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Amino acid profile analysis revealed that, compared with the control group, the concentrations of tyrosine, methionine, and phenylalanine in the HCC group were increased (P<0.05), while the concentrations of valine, leucine, isoleucine, glutamine, and arginine were decreased (P<0.05). Further analysis of the correlation between trace elements and amino acids with statistical differences between the groups showed that copper was negatively correlated with valine and leucine (P<0.05), while zinc and iron were positively correlated with valine, leucine, and isoleucine (P<0.01).Conclusions Imbalances in trace elements and amino acid metabolism changes are common in patients with HCC, and there may be an intrinsic connection between the two.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and risk factors of upper urinary tract stones complicated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),so as to provide reference for the prevention of this disease.Methods The clinical data of 158 NAFLD patients undergoing surgical treatment in our hospital during Jan.2022 and Jul.2023 were retrospectively analyzed.According to whether the patients were complicated with NAFLD,they were divided into the NAFLD group(n=56)and non-NAFLD group(n=102).The general data,laboratory indexes and 24-h urinary metabolic indexes were compared between the two groups,and the risk factors were analyzed with univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.Results Compared with the non NAFLD group,the NAFLD group had higher BMI[(28.17±4.17)vs.(24.11±3.72),P＜0.001],blood uric acid[(354.13±111.01)μmol/L vs.(294.41±93.72)μmol/L,P＜0.001],and 24-h urinary oxalate level[(37.74±15.00)mmol vs.(27.73±15.27)mmol,P＜0.001].Multivariate logistic analysis showed that BMI(OR=1.311,P＜0.001),24-h urinary oxalate(OR=1.046,P=0.004),and 24-h urinary magnesium(OR=0.599,P=0.002)were the independent factors for NAFLD with upper urinary tract stones.Conclusion NAFLD complicated with upper urinary tract stones is significantly associated with high BMI,high 24-h urinary oxalate,and low 24-h urinary magnesium.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and risk factors of upper urinary tract stones complicated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),so as to provide reference for the prevention of this disease.Methods The clinical data of 158 NAFLD patients undergoing surgical treatment in our hospital during Jan.2022 and Jul.2023 were retrospectively analyzed.According to whether the patients were complicated with NAFLD,they were divided into the NAFLD group(n=56)and non-NAFLD group(n=102).The general data,laboratory indexes and 24-h urinary metabolic indexes were compared between the two groups,and the risk factors were analyzed with univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.Results Compared with the non NAFLD group,the NAFLD group had higher BMI[(28.17±4.17)vs.(24.11±3.72),P＜0.001],blood uric acid[(354.13±111.01)μmol/L vs.(294.41±93.72)μmol/L,P＜0.001],and 24-h urinary oxalate level[(37.74±15.00)mmol vs.(27.73±15.27)mmol,P＜0.001].Multivariate logistic analysis showed that BMI(OR=1.311,P＜0.001),24-h urinary oxalate(OR=1.046,P=0.004),and 24-h urinary magnesium(OR=0.599,P=0.002)were the independent factors for NAFLD with upper urinary tract stones.Conclusion NAFLD complicated with upper urinary tract stones is significantly associated with high BMI,high 24-h urinary oxalate,and low 24-h urinary magnesium.

Objective:To investigate the effect of oral capsaicin stimulation on the cerebral cortex hemodynamics of patients with post-stroke dysphagia (PSD).Methods:Thirty-four PSD patients were subjected to oral stimulation with either a saline or a capsaicin solution. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to document any changes in cortical oxyhemoglobin (HbO) concentrations and cortical activation. Functional connectivity (FC) and hemispheric lateralization were analyzed.Results:(1) Capsaicin stimulation significantly increased HbO concentration in the prefrontal and motor areas, producing significantly greater activation than saline stimulation and the resting state. (2) Both saline and capsaicin oral stimulation enhanced whole brain FC, with capsaicin producing a more pronounced increase between the bilateral prefrontal cortex and the right motor cortex. (3) Both saline and capsaicin stimulation induced a right-hemispheric lateralization trend in the whole brain and the prefrontal cortex, while the motor cortex maintained a left-lateralization pattern. Notably, the lateralization index under capsaicin oral stimulation was significantly higher than that under saline oral stimulation.Conclusions:Compared with the resting state and saline stimulation, capsaicin oral stimulation significantly enhances cortical activation above the resting state, and significantly more than saline stimulation. It increases FC between the prefrontal and motor cortices, and promotes adjustments in brain lateralization patterns in persons with PSD.

Objective:To investigate and compare the clinical outcomes of the arterial pre-occlusion technique(APOT) and the traditional technique in the surgery of locally advanced pancreatic cancer with arterial involvement after conversion therapy.Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study. The clinical data of 145 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer with arterial involvement admitted to the Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery of the First Hospital Affiliated to Naval Medical University,from January 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients completed neoadjuvant therapy for tumors, and the feasibility of radical surgical treatment was determined by a multidisciplinary collaborative team evaluation before surgery. According to whether the intraoperative artery was pre-occluded, 145 patients were divided into two groups, including 28 cases in the APOT group(16 males, 12 females, aged (59.0±9.4) years), and 117 cases in the routine surgery group(76 males, 41 females, aged (55.1±8.2) years). To ensure comparability of baseline data between the APOT group and the routine surgery group, a 1∶2 match was performed using the propensity score matching method, and the caliper value was 0.006 45. The t-test,the Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test or Fisher′s exact test were used to compare the data between the two groups,respectively. Results:After matching the propensity score,there were 28 cases in the APOT group and 56 cases in the routine surgery group. There were no significant differences in gender,age,preoperative comorbidities,preoperative body mass index,surgical approaches,chemotherapy regimen,stereotactic body radiation therapy ratio,tumor markers,and type of invaded artery between the two groups (all P>0.05).The arterial occlusion time M(IQR) in the APOT group was 7.0(3.8)minutes(range:3 to 15 minutes),and no ischemic manifestations were observed in the distal target organs that blocked blood vessels after surgery. The operation time was (170.3±57.7)minutes in the APOT group and (235.0±80.2)minutes in the routine surgery group,and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-3.800, P<0.01). The APOT group also experienced less intraoperative blood loss(650(588)ml vs. 800(600)ml; U=1 026.500, P=0.021). No significant differences were found between the groups in combined vein resection and reconstruction,celiac trunk resection,early postoperative complications, readmission rates at 30 days,and postoperative length of stay(all P>0.05). Extra-arterial dissection was performed in all patients,with arterial resection and reconstruction in 3 cases: 2 cases in the APOT group(1 case involving the superior mesenteric artery and 1 case involving the common hepatic artery) and 1 case in the routine group(involving the common hepatic artery). Postoperative abdominal bleeding occurred in 4 cases,with 3 cases in the routine group,1 case in the routine group. The R0 resection rate was 85.7%(24/28) in the APOT group and 80.4%(45/56) in the routine group,without significant differences between the groups( P=0.763). The median overall survival time was 27.6 months for the APOT group and 22.5 months for the routine group,while the median disease-free survival was 11.7 months and 16.8 months,respectively,with no significant differences between the two groups( P=0.532, P=0.927). Conclusion:The arterial pre-occlusion technique can be used for extra-arterial dissection in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer involving the arteries,reducing surgery time and intraoperative blood loss.

Objective To summarize the clinical experience of the treatment for complex aortic coarctation with extra anatomic bypass and anatomic correction techniques. Methods The clinical data of patients with complex aortic coarctation treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and Friendship Hospital of Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture between April 2012 and November 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Results A total of 12 patients were enrolled, including 5 males and 7 females aged 11-54 (34.3±16.2) years. Extra anatomic bypass grafting was performed in 8 patients and anatomic correction was performed in 4 patients. The operations were successful in all patients. There was no perioperative death. The average cardiopulmonary bypass time was 203.0±46.0 min (7 median incision patients), and the average intraoperative blood loss was 665.0±102.0 mL. The average postoperative ventilator support time was 32.3±7.5 h, and the average postoperative hospital stay time was 10.2±4.3 d. The mean drainage volume of median incision was 1 580.0±360.0 mL, and the mean drainage time was 9.3±2.7 d. The mean drainage volume of left thoracotomy was 890.0±235.0 mL, and the mean drainage time was 4.8±2.5 d. One patient had a transient hoarse after operation and recovered 6 months later. The follow-up period ranged from 2 to 10 years with an average time of 81.0±27.0 months. All patients had a recovery of hypertension, cardiac afterload after 2 years postoperatively. One patient who received an artificial blood vessel replacement in situ was examined stenosis recurrence at the third year after discharge. Others were asymptomatic during the follow-up period. There were no death or other complications. Conclusion The treatment strategy for complex aortic coarctation should be individualized according to the anatomical features and concomitant heart diseases. Extra anatomic bypass technique is a safe and feasible choice.

Objective:To investigate and compare the clinical outcomes of the arterial pre-occlusion technique(APOT) and the traditional technique in the surgery of locally advanced pancreatic cancer with arterial involvement after conversion therapy.Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study. The clinical data of 145 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer with arterial involvement admitted to the Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery of the First Hospital Affiliated to Naval Medical University,from January 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients completed neoadjuvant therapy for tumors, and the feasibility of radical surgical treatment was determined by a multidisciplinary collaborative team evaluation before surgery. According to whether the intraoperative artery was pre-occluded, 145 patients were divided into two groups, including 28 cases in the APOT group(16 males, 12 females, aged (59.0±9.4) years), and 117 cases in the routine surgery group(76 males, 41 females, aged (55.1±8.2) years). To ensure comparability of baseline data between the APOT group and the routine surgery group, a 1∶2 match was performed using the propensity score matching method, and the caliper value was 0.006 45. The t-test,the Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test or Fisher′s exact test were used to compare the data between the two groups,respectively. Results:After matching the propensity score,there were 28 cases in the APOT group and 56 cases in the routine surgery group. There were no significant differences in gender,age,preoperative comorbidities,preoperative body mass index,surgical approaches,chemotherapy regimen,stereotactic body radiation therapy ratio,tumor markers,and type of invaded artery between the two groups (all P>0.05).The arterial occlusion time M(IQR) in the APOT group was 7.0(3.8)minutes(range:3 to 15 minutes),and no ischemic manifestations were observed in the distal target organs that blocked blood vessels after surgery. The operation time was (170.3±57.7)minutes in the APOT group and (235.0±80.2)minutes in the routine surgery group,and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-3.800, P<0.01). The APOT group also experienced less intraoperative blood loss(650(588)ml vs. 800(600)ml; U=1 026.500, P=0.021). No significant differences were found between the groups in combined vein resection and reconstruction,celiac trunk resection,early postoperative complications, readmission rates at 30 days,and postoperative length of stay(all P>0.05). Extra-arterial dissection was performed in all patients,with arterial resection and reconstruction in 3 cases: 2 cases in the APOT group(1 case involving the superior mesenteric artery and 1 case involving the common hepatic artery) and 1 case in the routine group(involving the common hepatic artery). Postoperative abdominal bleeding occurred in 4 cases,with 3 cases in the routine group,1 case in the routine group. The R0 resection rate was 85.7%(24/28) in the APOT group and 80.4%(45/56) in the routine group,without significant differences between the groups( P=0.763). The median overall survival time was 27.6 months for the APOT group and 22.5 months for the routine group,while the median disease-free survival was 11.7 months and 16.8 months,respectively,with no significant differences between the two groups( P=0.532, P=0.927). Conclusion:The arterial pre-occlusion technique can be used for extra-arterial dissection in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer involving the arteries,reducing surgery time and intraoperative blood loss.