Objective To explore the value of oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (OCEUS) combined with contrast-enhanced CT in predicting preoperative T staging in patients with gastric cancer. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 80 patients with gastric cancer confirmed via endoscopic biopsy or postoperative pathology at the First People’s Hospital of Jining from January 2021 to November 2024. The cohort included 56 males and 24 females, aged 38-79 years, with a median age of 55.9 years. All patients underwent both OCEUS and contrast-enhanced CT within one week prior to surgery. T staging of gastric cancer was determined using OCEUS, contrast-enhanced CT, or their combination. The results were compared with pathological T staging, and statistical differences in accuracy were analyzed. Results Pathological T staging identified T1 in 9 cases, T2 in 16 cases, T3 in 42 cases, and T4 in 13 cases. OCEUS indicated T1 in 6 cases, T2 in 14 cases, T3 in 50 cases, and T4 in 10 cases, with an accuracy rate of 80.0%. Contrast-enhanced CT indicated T1 in 4 cases, T2 in 12 cases, T3 in 52 cases, and T4 in 12 cases, with an accuracy rate of 75.0%. The combination of OCEUS and contrast-enhanced CT indicated T1 in 6 cases, T2 in 15 cases, T3 in 47 cases, and T4 in 12 cases, with an accuracy rate of 87.5%. The combined approach demonstrated significantly higher accuracy in preoperative T staging compared to either method alone (P < 0.05). Conclusion The combination of OCEUS and contrast-enhanced CT improves the accuracy of preoperative T staging in gastric cancer patients, providing valuable support for their diagnosis and treatment.

Objective To investigate the effects of meridian and tendon acupuncture on the mitochondrial apoptosis of quadriceps femoris muscle cells in model rats of knee osteoarthritis(KOA);To explore its mechanism for the treatment of KOA.Methods Totally 40 SPF healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group(10 rats)and modeling group(30 rats).The modified Hulth method was used to establish a KOA rat model.The model rats were randomly divided into model group,celecoxib group and meridian and tendon acupuncture group,with 9 rats in each group.Corresponding intervention measures were given to each group for 14 consecutive days.Improved Lequesne MG score was used for evaluating knee joint function in rats,measuring thigh circumference,quadriceps femoris wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate and wet weight ratio of the affected limb,HE staining was used to observe the morphology of quadriceps femoris tissue,TUNEL method was used to detect apoptosis of quadriceps femoris cells,immunofluorescence was used to detect the expressions of reactive oxygen species(ROS),superoxide dismutase(SOD),Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in quadriceps femoris muscle tissue,fluorescence double staining method was used to detect the co-expression of ROS and Caspase-3 in quadriceps femoris tissue,Western blot was used to detect the expressions of apoptosis related proteins in quadriceps femoris tissue.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,the improved Lequesne MG score of the knee joint in the model group rats increased(P<0.05),the circumference of the thigh,wet weight of the quadriceps femoris,wet weight maintenance rate and wet weight ratio of the affected limb decreased(P<0.05),the arrangement of quadriceps femoris muscle fibers was disordered and loose,with some muscle fibers dissolved and necrotic,accompanied by a large amount of inflammatory exudate,an increase in lymphocytes,and an increase in cell apoptosis index(P<0.05),the expressions of ROS,Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in quadriceps femoris tissue increased,while the expression of SOD decreased(P<0.05),the protein expressions of Bcl-2,Bcl-XL,Bax,Cytochrome C(CytC),Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in quadriceps femoris tissue increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the improved Lequesne MG scores of the knee joint in the celecoxib group and the meridian and tendon acupuncture group decreased(P<0.05),while thigh circumference,quadriceps femoris wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate,wet weight ratio increased(P<0.05),the structure of quadriceps femoris muscle fibers was normal,the muscle membrane was relatively intact,the apoptosis index decreased(P<0.05),the expressions of ROS,Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in quadriceps femoris tissue decreased,while the expression of SOD increased(P<0.05),the protein expressions of Bcl-2,Bcl-XL,Bax,CytC,Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in quadriceps femoris muscle tissue decreased(P<0.05),and the expression trend of ROS and Caspase-3 in fluorescent double staining was consistent.Conclusion Meridian and tendon acupuncture can reduce ROS in the quadriceps femoris tissue of KOA model rats,inhibit the expressions of mitochondrial apoptosis-related proteins,thereby improving skeletal muscle strength,and play a certain therapeutic role.

Objective To explore the mechanism through which dexmedetomidine(Dex)alleviates doxorubicin(Adr)-induced myo-cardial injury via regulating nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)expression.Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control,Adr,and Adr+Dex groups.Theirs hearts were harvested for hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining,immunohistochemical staining,real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR),and Western blotting anlyses.The rat primary cardiomyocytes,breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-23,lung cancer cell line H226,gastric cancer cell line AGS,and bladder cancer cell line 5637 were cultured and divided into control,Adr,Adr+Dex,Dex,and Adr+Dex+NF-κBi groups.CCK-8 and immunofluorescence staining were performed to detect the reactive oxygen species(ROS)contents.Results The myocardial arrangement of the rats in the Adr group was disordered,myocardial cell activity was lower,the mitochondrial membrane potential was lower,ROS production was higher,and NF-κB mRNA and protein contents were sub-stantially lower than those in the control group.The cardiomyocyte morphology was improved,cell activity was higher,mitochondrial mem-brane potential was increased,ROS production decreased,and NF-κB expression significantly increased in the Adr+Dex group compared with those in the control group.The mitochondrial membrane potential in the Adr+Dex+NF-κBi group was lower,and ROS generation was increased compared with the control group.The activity of the tumor cells in the Adr group was lower,and no statistically significant diffe-rences were found compared with that in the Adr+Dex group.Conclusion Treatment with Dex may not affect the chemotherapeutic effects of Adr.Dex administration may increase the myocardial mitochondrial membrane potential and reduce ROS generation by regu-lating NF-κB levels,thereby reducing Adr-induced myocardial damage.

Objective:To discuss the effect of acupuncture on the differentiation and apoptosis of quadriceps muscle satellite cells in model rats with knee osteoarthritis(KOA),and to clarify its related mechanism.Methods:A total of 40 SPF-grade rats were selected and randomly divided into control group,model group,celecoxib group,and acupuncture group,with 10 rats in each group.The rats in control group only underwent joint cavity incision followed by suturing,while the rats in model group,celecoxib group,and acupuncture group were used to replicate the KOA models.The maximum circumference of the femoral segment of the affected limb,rat body mass,and quadriceps wet weight of the rats in various groups were measured;the quadriceps wet weight maintenance rate and quadriceps wet weight/body mass ratio of the rats in various groups were calculated.HE staining was used to observe the pathomorphology of articular cartilage and quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in various groups;terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase(TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)method was used to detect the apoptosis indexes in articular cartilage and quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in various groups;immunofluorescence method was used to detect the protein expression levels of interleukin-6(IL-6),Janus kinase(JAK),and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)in quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of IL-6/JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway proteins,and muscle satellite cells,and apoptosis-related proteins in quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in various groups.Results:Compared with control group,the affected hind limb circumference,quadriceps wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate,and wet weight/body mass ratio of the rats in model group were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the affected hind limb circumference,quadriceps wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate,and wet weight/body mass ratio of the rats in celecoxib group and acupuncture group were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with celecoxib group,the affected hind limb circumference,quadriceps wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate,and wet weight/body mass ratio of the rats in acupuncture group were significantly increased(P<0.05).The HE staining results showed that the knee articular cartilage of the rats in control group remained intact,chondrocytes were aggregated and horizontally arranged with smooth edges,and quadriceps muscle cells were long cylindrical,orderly arranged,and regular in shape;in model group,the knee articular cartilage was thinner with rough edges,reduced number of cartilage layers,and disordered arrangement,and the quadriceps muscle fibers were disorganized,with some muscle fiber dissolution and muscle cell membrane damage,accompanied by muscle fiber fragments and a large amount of inflammatory exudate;in celecoxib group,the morphology of knee articular cartilage was generally normal,occasionally with irregular cartilage arrangement and reduced thickness,sporadically visible necrotic chondrocytes,quadriceps muscle fibers and sarcolemma were relatively intact,new muscle fibers appeared,some muscle fiber edges were blurred,accompanied by a small amount of cell debris and mild inflammatory infiltration;in acupuncture group,the knee articular cartilage structure remained intact with smooth edges,occasionally rough edges,and chondrocytes were aggregated and orderly arranged.The TUNEL assay results showed that compared with control group,the apoptosis indexes in articular cartilage and quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in model group were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the apoptosis indexes in articular cartilage and quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in celecoxib group and acupuncture group were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with celecoxib group,the apoptosis index in articular cartilage and quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in acupuncture group were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The immunofluorescence assay results showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of IL-6,JAK,and STAT3 proteins in quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in model group were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression levels of IL-6,JAK,and STAT3 proteins in quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in celecoxib group and acupuncture group were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with celecoxib group,the expression levels of IL-6,JAK,and STAT3 proteins in quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in acupuncture group were significantly increased(P<0.05).The Western blotting results showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of IL-6,JAK,STAT3,paired box transcription factor 7(Pax7),Desmin,Myosin,and Myogenin proteins in quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in model group were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression levels of IL-6,JAK,STAT3,Pax7,Desmin,Myosin,and Myogenin proteins in quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in celecoxib group and acupuncture group were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with celecoxib group,the expression levels of IL-6,JAK,STAT3,Pax7,Desmin,Myosin,and Myogenin proteins in quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in acupuncture group were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with control group,the expression levels of B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2),B-cell lymphoma-xl(Bcl-xl),and myeloid cell leukemia 1(MCL1)proteins in quadriceps muscle tissue in model group were significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the expression levels of Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax)and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3(Caspase-3)proteins were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression levels of Bcl-2,Bcl-xl,and MCL1 proteins in quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in celecoxib group and acupuncture group were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the expression levels of Bax and Caspase-3 proteins were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with celecoxib group,the expression levels of Bcl-2,Bcl-xl,and MCL1 proteins in quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in acupuncture group were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the expression levels of Bax and Caspase-3 proteins were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture can promote the differentiation of quadriceps muscle satellite cells and inhibit muscle cell apoptosis in the model rats with KOA,and the mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of expressions of IL-6,JAK,and STAT3 proteins in the quadriceps muscle tissue.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the treatment of heart and liver fire hyperactivity syndrome in children with tic disorder; To explore its effects on the levels of serum neurotransmitters in children.Methods:A randomized controlled trial study was conducted. A total of 86 children with heart and liver fire hyperactivity syndrome of tic disorder in our hospital from March 2022 to March 2024 were selected as the observation objects and divided into 2 groups using the random number table method, with 43 cases in each group. The control group was treated with rTMS, while the observation group was treated with combined acupuncture on the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated continuously for 8 weeks. The TCM syndrome scores were conducted before and after the treatment respectively. The Yale Comprehensive Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) was used to evaluate the severity of clinical symptoms, and the levels of serum γ -aminobutyric acid (γ-GABA), dopamine (DA), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were detected by ELISA. The adverse reactions during the treatment period were recorded and the clinical efficacy was evaluated.Results:The total effective rate was 90.70% (39/43) in the observation group and 72.09% (31/43) in the control group, with statistical significance ( χ2=4.91, P=0.027). After treatment, the scores of convulsion and peristalsis, flushed face and ears, irritability and anger, and red tongue with yellow coating in the observation group were lower than those in the control group ( t values were 3.80, 2.94, 3.26, and 4.22 respectively, P<0.01), and the scores of vocal tics, motor tics and the total score were lower than those in the control group (t values were 7.97, 5.23, and 6.44 respectively, P<0.01). After treatment, the level of γ-GABA in the observation group [(9.72±2.04) μg/L vs. (8.13±1.87) μg/L, t=3.77] was higher than that of the control group ( P<0.01), and DA [(8.98±1.94) μg/L vs. (12.10±2.27) μg/L, t=6.85], levels of 5-HT [(15.20±3.87) μg/L vs. (19.93±3.97) μg/L, t=5.59] were lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01). During the treatment period, the incidence of adverse reactions was 11.63% (5/43) in the observation group and 9.30% (4/43) in the control group, without statistical significance ( χ2=0.12, P=0.725). Conclusion:Acupuncture combined with rTMS can alleviate the tic symptoms of children of tic disorder with heart and liver fire hyperactivity syndrome, improve the neurotransmitter levels and main TCM syndromes of the children, enhance the clinical efficacy and have good treatment safety.

Objective To explore the mechanism of acupuncture protection of quadriceps muscle cells in knee osteoarthritis model rats based on Piezo1/YAP/Caspase3 axis.Methods 40 SPF grade Wistar rats were selected and adaptively fed for 7 days before being divided into three groups:sham surgery group,model group,western medicine group,and acupuncture group,with 10 rats in each group,according to a random control table.The model group,Western medicine group,and acupuncture group used the modified Hulth method to construct knee osteoarthritis models,while the sham surgery group only cut open the joint cavity and sutured it.After successful model replication,the sham surgery group was given physiological saline by gavage,the western medicine group was given celecoxib solution by gavage,and the acupuncture group was given acupuncture at the infrapatellar,crane top,and blood sea levels.Each group was intervened once a day for 14 consecutive days.During the treatment period,the rats continued to undergo treadmill training.After the intervention,the hematoxylin eosin staining method(HE)was used to detect the morphological changes of various rat quadriceps muscle tissues and articular cartilage;TUNEL method was used to detect apoptosis of quadriceps muscle cells,immunofluorescence method was used to detect the protein expression of Piezo1,YAP,and p-YAP in quadriceps muscle cells,Western blot method was used to detect the expression of anti apoptotic proteins CTGF,AREG,Gli2,AFP in quadriceps muscle tissue,as well as the protein expression levels of apoptosis related proteins Bcl-2,Bcl-xl,Bax,cytc,and Caspase3.Results Compared with the model group,the western medicine group and the acupuncture group had higher thigh circumference,quadriceps wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate,and wet weight to body weight ratio(P<0.05).Compared with the western medicine group,the acupuncture group had higher thigh circumference,quadriceps wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate,and wet weight to body weight ratio(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the apoptosis index of the quadriceps muscle in the Western medicine group and acupuncture group rats was lower,and the apoptosis index of the quadriceps muscle in the acupuncture group was lower(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the Western medicine group and acupuncture group showed higher expression of Piezo1 and p-YAP proteins in the quadriceps femoris muscle tissue,lower expression of YAP protein,higher expression of CTGF,AREG,Gli2,AFP proteins,higher expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl proteins,and lower expression of Bax,cytc,and Caspase3 proteins(P<0.05).Compared with the Western medicine group,the acupuncture group showed higher expression of Piezo1 and p-YAP proteins in the quadriceps muscle tissue,lower expression of YAP protein,higher expression of CTGF,AREG,Gli2,AFP proteins,higher expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl proteins,and lower expression of Bax,cytc,and Caspase3 proteins(P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture increases the expression of Piezo1 protein in the quadriceps femoris muscle of knee osteoarthritis model rats,promotes the phosphorylation of YAP into the nucleus,thereby promoting proliferation,anti apoptotic proteins CTGF,AREG,Gli2,and AFP protein expression,inhibiting Caspase3-dependent mitochondrial apoptosis,and protecting muscle cells.

Objective To investigate the effects of meridian and tendon acupuncture on the mitochondrial apoptosis of quadriceps femoris muscle cells in model rats of knee osteoarthritis(KOA);To explore its mechanism for the treatment of KOA.Methods Totally 40 SPF healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group(10 rats)and modeling group(30 rats).The modified Hulth method was used to establish a KOA rat model.The model rats were randomly divided into model group,celecoxib group and meridian and tendon acupuncture group,with 9 rats in each group.Corresponding intervention measures were given to each group for 14 consecutive days.Improved Lequesne MG score was used for evaluating knee joint function in rats,measuring thigh circumference,quadriceps femoris wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate and wet weight ratio of the affected limb,HE staining was used to observe the morphology of quadriceps femoris tissue,TUNEL method was used to detect apoptosis of quadriceps femoris cells,immunofluorescence was used to detect the expressions of reactive oxygen species(ROS),superoxide dismutase(SOD),Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in quadriceps femoris muscle tissue,fluorescence double staining method was used to detect the co-expression of ROS and Caspase-3 in quadriceps femoris tissue,Western blot was used to detect the expressions of apoptosis related proteins in quadriceps femoris tissue.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,the improved Lequesne MG score of the knee joint in the model group rats increased(P<0.05),the circumference of the thigh,wet weight of the quadriceps femoris,wet weight maintenance rate and wet weight ratio of the affected limb decreased(P<0.05),the arrangement of quadriceps femoris muscle fibers was disordered and loose,with some muscle fibers dissolved and necrotic,accompanied by a large amount of inflammatory exudate,an increase in lymphocytes,and an increase in cell apoptosis index(P<0.05),the expressions of ROS,Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in quadriceps femoris tissue increased,while the expression of SOD decreased(P<0.05),the protein expressions of Bcl-2,Bcl-XL,Bax,Cytochrome C(CytC),Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in quadriceps femoris tissue increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the improved Lequesne MG scores of the knee joint in the celecoxib group and the meridian and tendon acupuncture group decreased(P<0.05),while thigh circumference,quadriceps femoris wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate,wet weight ratio increased(P<0.05),the structure of quadriceps femoris muscle fibers was normal,the muscle membrane was relatively intact,the apoptosis index decreased(P<0.05),the expressions of ROS,Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in quadriceps femoris tissue decreased,while the expression of SOD increased(P<0.05),the protein expressions of Bcl-2,Bcl-XL,Bax,CytC,Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in quadriceps femoris muscle tissue decreased(P<0.05),and the expression trend of ROS and Caspase-3 in fluorescent double staining was consistent.Conclusion Meridian and tendon acupuncture can reduce ROS in the quadriceps femoris tissue of KOA model rats,inhibit the expressions of mitochondrial apoptosis-related proteins,thereby improving skeletal muscle strength,and play a certain therapeutic role.

Objective To explore the mechanism of acupuncture protection of quadriceps muscle cells in knee osteoarthritis model rats based on Piezo1/YAP/Caspase3 axis.Methods 40 SPF grade Wistar rats were selected and adaptively fed for 7 days before being divided into three groups:sham surgery group,model group,western medicine group,and acupuncture group,with 10 rats in each group,according to a random control table.The model group,Western medicine group,and acupuncture group used the modified Hulth method to construct knee osteoarthritis models,while the sham surgery group only cut open the joint cavity and sutured it.After successful model replication,the sham surgery group was given physiological saline by gavage,the western medicine group was given celecoxib solution by gavage,and the acupuncture group was given acupuncture at the infrapatellar,crane top,and blood sea levels.Each group was intervened once a day for 14 consecutive days.During the treatment period,the rats continued to undergo treadmill training.After the intervention,the hematoxylin eosin staining method(HE)was used to detect the morphological changes of various rat quadriceps muscle tissues and articular cartilage;TUNEL method was used to detect apoptosis of quadriceps muscle cells,immunofluorescence method was used to detect the protein expression of Piezo1,YAP,and p-YAP in quadriceps muscle cells,Western blot method was used to detect the expression of anti apoptotic proteins CTGF,AREG,Gli2,AFP in quadriceps muscle tissue,as well as the protein expression levels of apoptosis related proteins Bcl-2,Bcl-xl,Bax,cytc,and Caspase3.Results Compared with the model group,the western medicine group and the acupuncture group had higher thigh circumference,quadriceps wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate,and wet weight to body weight ratio(P<0.05).Compared with the western medicine group,the acupuncture group had higher thigh circumference,quadriceps wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate,and wet weight to body weight ratio(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the apoptosis index of the quadriceps muscle in the Western medicine group and acupuncture group rats was lower,and the apoptosis index of the quadriceps muscle in the acupuncture group was lower(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the Western medicine group and acupuncture group showed higher expression of Piezo1 and p-YAP proteins in the quadriceps femoris muscle tissue,lower expression of YAP protein,higher expression of CTGF,AREG,Gli2,AFP proteins,higher expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl proteins,and lower expression of Bax,cytc,and Caspase3 proteins(P<0.05).Compared with the Western medicine group,the acupuncture group showed higher expression of Piezo1 and p-YAP proteins in the quadriceps muscle tissue,lower expression of YAP protein,higher expression of CTGF,AREG,Gli2,AFP proteins,higher expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl proteins,and lower expression of Bax,cytc,and Caspase3 proteins(P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture increases the expression of Piezo1 protein in the quadriceps femoris muscle of knee osteoarthritis model rats,promotes the phosphorylation of YAP into the nucleus,thereby promoting proliferation,anti apoptotic proteins CTGF,AREG,Gli2,and AFP protein expression,inhibiting Caspase3-dependent mitochondrial apoptosis,and protecting muscle cells.

Objective To explore the mechanism through which dexmedetomidine(Dex)alleviates doxorubicin(Adr)-induced myo-cardial injury via regulating nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)expression.Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control,Adr,and Adr+Dex groups.Theirs hearts were harvested for hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining,immunohistochemical staining,real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR),and Western blotting anlyses.The rat primary cardiomyocytes,breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-23,lung cancer cell line H226,gastric cancer cell line AGS,and bladder cancer cell line 5637 were cultured and divided into control,Adr,Adr+Dex,Dex,and Adr+Dex+NF-κBi groups.CCK-8 and immunofluorescence staining were performed to detect the reactive oxygen species(ROS)contents.Results The myocardial arrangement of the rats in the Adr group was disordered,myocardial cell activity was lower,the mitochondrial membrane potential was lower,ROS production was higher,and NF-κB mRNA and protein contents were sub-stantially lower than those in the control group.The cardiomyocyte morphology was improved,cell activity was higher,mitochondrial mem-brane potential was increased,ROS production decreased,and NF-κB expression significantly increased in the Adr+Dex group compared with those in the control group.The mitochondrial membrane potential in the Adr+Dex+NF-κBi group was lower,and ROS generation was increased compared with the control group.The activity of the tumor cells in the Adr group was lower,and no statistically significant diffe-rences were found compared with that in the Adr+Dex group.Conclusion Treatment with Dex may not affect the chemotherapeutic effects of Adr.Dex administration may increase the myocardial mitochondrial membrane potential and reduce ROS generation by regu-lating NF-κB levels,thereby reducing Adr-induced myocardial damage.

Background and Aims:Preoperative sarcopenia is a syndrome characterized by reduced skeletal muscle mass and strength,and it is associated with various adverse postoperative outcomes.Gastric cancer patients may experience transient or persistent postoperative cognitive dysfunction(POCD),which significantly impacts their quality of life and prognosis.However,it remains unclear whether this complication is linked to sarcopenia.Therefore,this study was conducted to investigate further the impact of preoperative sarcopenia on postoperative complications and long-term outcomes in patients undergoing radical gastric cancer surgery,with a particular focus on the relationship between sarcopenia and POCD,in order to provide insights for preoperative assessment and postoperative management of gastric cancer patients. Methods:The clinical data of gastric cancer patients who underwent radical surgery in the Third Department of Surgery at the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University between January 2014 and January 2015 were retrospectively collected.Patients were divided into the sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups based on preoperative L3 skeletal muscle index,handgrip strength,and gait speed measurements.The clinicopathologic characteristics of sarcopenic patients,as well as the impact of sarcopenia on short-term clinical outcomes and long-term prognosis,were analyzed.Additionally,factors influencing the development of POCD were determined. Results:A total of 320 gastric cancer patients were included,of whom 59(18.44％)were diagnosed with sarcopenia.Compared with the non-sarcopenia group,sarcopenic patients had significantly lower bady mass index,serum total protein,serum albumin,and hemoglobin levels,with a higher proportion of patients aged ≥60 years,NRS 2002 score ≥3,comorbid pulmonary disease,and those undergoing open surgery(all P＜0.05).After balancing the baseline characteristics of the two groups using propensity score matching(PSM),each group included 59 patients.The analysis revealed that the overall incidence of postoperative complications was higher in the sarcopenia group than in the non-sarcopenia group(54.24％vs.32.20％,P=0.016).The sarcopenia group also had a significantly higher incidence of Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ complications and postoperative infectious complications(27.12％vs.5.08％,P=0.001;33.90％vs.15.25％,P=0.019).The average hospital stay was significantly longer for sarcopenic patients(12.54±4.7 d vs.7.68±3.8 d,P=0.005).Additionally,the 5-year overall survival(OS)and disease-free survival(DFS)rates were lower in the sarcopenia group compared to the non-sarcopenia group(both P＜0.05).Cox multivariate analysis showed that sarcopenia,tumor pT stage,and tumor pN stage were independent risk factors for 5-year OS and DFS.At the same time,adjuvant chemotherapy was a protective factor for prognosis(all P＜0.05).Among the 118 patients after PSM,34(28.81％)were diagnosed with POCD.Logistic multivariate regression analysis indicated that preoperative sarcopenia,the number of preoperative comorbidities,and anesthesia duration of ≥2 h were independent risk factors for POCD,while intraoperative use of dexmedetomidine was a protective factor(all P＜0.05). Conclusion:Preoperative sarcopenia is closely associated with unfavorable postoperative outcomes and the development of POCD in patients undergoing radical gastric cancer surgery.Clinicians should emphasize the detection of sarcopenia during preoperative evaluation and implement proactive interventions and postoperative management strategies to improve clinical outcomes and long-term survival rates.