Objective To investigate the protective effects of remimazolam(Remi),a novel benzodiazepine sedative,on intestinal barrier function in septic mice.Methods A mouse model of sepsis was established using cecal ligation and puncture(CLP).A total of 96 SPF-grade adult male C57BL/6 mice were randomized into sham operation(Sham),sepsis(Sepsis),and sepsis with Remi intervention(Sepsis+Remi)groups.Survival rate and survival time were recorded within 72 h after modeling.Intestinal pathological alterations,barrier functional indicators,ZO-1 expression,and macrophage polarization status were observed and detected to evaluate the effects of Remi.Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)was used to treat RAW264.7 cells for 24 h to simulate in vitro sepsis model.The cells were divided into control(Control),LPS,and LPS+Remi groups.Immunofluorescence staining was performed to assess macrophage phenotype,mitochondrial morphology,and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species(MtROS),and Western blotting was applied to detect the protein expression of iNOS and CD206.Results Compared with the sepsis group,Remi intervention significantly improved the survival rate of septic mice from 12.50%to 68.75%and markedly prolonged survival duration(P<0.05).Histopathological analysis demonstrated partial restoration of intestinal villus architecture,accompanied with attenuated interstitial edema and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration after Remi intervention.Furthermore,the intervention group demonstrated significant improvement in functional indicators.Both in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated elevated iNOS and decreased CD206 expression in the septic mice and LPS-stimulated macrophages(P<0.05),which were partially reversed after Remi intervention.Furthermore,LPS-stimulated macrophages exhibited fragmented mitochondria and elevated MtROS level,whereas Remi intervention ameliorated these conditions(P<0.05).Conclusion Remi protects intestinal barrier function in septic mice by mitigating mitochondrial dynamics imbalance-induced oxidative damage and ameliorating inflammatory macrophage activation.

Objective To investigate the protective effects of mitochondrial preconditioning in pericytes(PC)against pulmonary vascular leakage in septic rats.Methods ① 128 specific-pathogen-free SD rats(equal gender,200±20 g)were randomized into:Sham group(postoperative tail vein injection of 0.5 mL saline),Sepsis(Sep)group(CLP+saline),PC group(CLP+untreated PC:106 cells/rat),and Mito-PC group(CLP+PC preconditioned with 2 μg mitochondria/104 cells for 12 h).Assessments included:PC lung colonization(flow cytometry),pulmonary barrier function(Evans blue assay),lung histopathology(HE staining),serum organ injury markers[cTnT(cardiac),urea/creatinine(renal)],and inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α,IL-6).② MSC-derived mitochondria were validated by electron microscopy/flow cytometry;primary retinal PCs from weaned SD rats were purity-verified(confocal microscopy).In vitro groups:Control(PC),Mito-PC,PC+H2O2(0.5 μmol/L,4 h),and Mito-PC+H2O2.Antioxidant capacity was assessed via pentose phosphate pathway(PPP)activity,NADPH levels,G6PD activity,and NADP+/NADPH ratio.Results① Compared with Sham,Sep group showed significant increase in pulmonary leakage(Evans blue P<0.05),severe lung injury,elevated serum markers(TNF-α,IL-6,cTnT,urea,creatinine all P<0.05),0％72 h survival.PC group showed partial improvement(P<0.05).Mito-PC group demonstrated significant reduction in vascular leakage(P<0.05 vs PC group),improved histopathology and organ function(P<0.05),attenuated inflammation(P<0.05),higher 72 h survival rate(P<0.05).② Mitochondrial preconditioning significantly enhanced PPP activation and NADPH-mediated antioxidative capacity,Mito-PC+H2O2 vs PC+H2O2 showed improved cell viability(P<0.05),Mito-PC vs PC showed increased G6PD activity(P<0.05),decreased NADP+/NADPH ratio(P<0.05).Conclusion Mitochondrial preconditioning potentiates pericyte-mediated protection against sepsis-induced pulmonary vascular leakage through enhanced pentose phosphate pathway activity.Mitochondrial preconditioning potentiates pericyte-mediated protection against sepsis-induced pulmonary vascular leakage through enhanced pentose phosphate pathway activity.

Objective:To construct a nomogram model for predicting the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma based on serum abnormal prothrombin and alpha-fetoprotein and evaluate the predictive effect.Methods:Retrospective analysis of data from 351 patients with liver disease who received treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2021 to December 2023, including 285 males and 66 females, aged (52.9±11.9) years. Among the 351 patients, there were 229 cases (65.2%) of hepatocellular carcinoma, 87 cases (24.8%) of liver cirrhosis, and 35 cases (10.0%) of chronic hepatitis B. All patients were randomly divided into a training set ( n=245) and a testing set ( n=106) in a 7∶3 ratio without replacement sampling. The training set was used to construct the model, and the testing set was used to evaluate the model. At the same time, gender, age, disease type, and other indicators were compared between the two sets. The risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression based on the training set, and a nomogram was constructed to predict the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma based on the multivariate results. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration curve were used to evaluate the predictive performance of nomogram, and decision curve analysis was used to evaluate the clinical applicability of the model. Results:There was no statistically significant difference in age, gender, disease type, etc. between the training and testing sets of patients (all P>0.05). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, abnormal prothrombin logarithm (LnPIVKA-Ⅱ), alpha-fetoprotein logarithm (LnAFP), and diabetes were associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that older age ( OR=1.07, 95% CI: 1.03-1.12), higher LnPIVKA-Ⅱ ( OR=2.97, 95% CI: 1.97-4.46), higher LnAFP ( OR=1.43, 95% CI: 1.11-1.84) and diabetes ( OR=5.17, 95% CI: 1.02-26.17) were risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (all P<0.05). Based on the above variables, a nomogram model for predicting the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma was constructed. The area under the ROC curve analysis of the nomogram for predicting the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma was 0.920 (95% CI: 0.886-0.953) in the training set and 0.934 (95% CI: 0.891-0.977) in the testing set. The calibration curve fit well with the standard curve, and the prediction was basically consistent with the actual situation. The decision curve analysis showed that the net benefit of the model was greater than 0 under most thresholds (0.1-1.0). Conclusion:The nomogram constructed based on age, LnPIVKA-Ⅱ, LnAFP and diabetes can effectively predict the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma and has clinical applicability.

Hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） with biliary duct tumor thrombus （BDTT） is currently not common in clinical practice and is easily misdiagnosed， and previously， it was often considered an advanced stage of the disease with a poor prognosis， making its treatment challenging. However， in-depth studies in recent years have gradually deepened our understanding of this disease， leading to significant changes in diagnostic and treatment concepts. Currently， comprehensive treatment， mainly surgery， is used for treatment， but there is still controversy over the selection of clinical treatment strategies. This article provides a detailed discussion on surgical methods and prognosis， in order to provide a reference for clinical treatment options.

BACKGROUND:Differentially expressed RNA-binding proteins in the intervertebral disc plays a key role in intervertebral disc degeneration,and decreased levels of the RNA-binding protein KRT18 are associated with degenerative disc disease,but its specific role in the nucleus pulposus cells has not yet been fully determined. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the interaction of KRT18 with mRNA and long non-coding RNA on nucleus pulposus cells of the intervertebral disc and its mechanism. METHODS:Normal and degenerated nucleus pulposus cells were obtained from nucleus pulposus samples of patients undergoing interbody fusion for lumbar fracture or intervertebral disc degeneration.iRIP-seq,functional enrichment analysis,and DNA microarray analysis were performed to identify the mRNA and long non-coding RNA binding with KRT18.Subsequently,KRT18 was knocked down in nucleus pulposus cells based on the analysis results,and the expression levels of related genes were detected at the protein and RNA levels through protein immunoblotting and qRT-PCR,respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Through iRIP-seq analysis,we identified abundant KRT18 binding sites within the GUAAUC and AGCCUC sequences,indicating that KRT18 may be involved in regulating RNA transcription,translation,stability or play a role in cell signaling pathways.It can stably bind to mature mRNA,among which highly expressed genes include CRLF1,IGFBP4,etc.At the same time,the peak genes of long non-coding RNA binding with it include SNHG25,SNHG12,NEAT1,USP32,EIF4A2 and CDH4.Most of these genes are involved in various biological processes such as apoptosis and inflammation,and can mediate related pathways of extracellular matrix metabolism.KRT18 can regulate their stability,transport,translation,splicing and other functions,thus affecting gene expression and cell function.We further verified through experiments the knockdown of KRT18 in nucleus pulposus cells,and found that the level of extracellular matrix metabolism was inhibited and unbalanced,resulting in intervertebral disc degeneration in vitro.This study investigated the regulatory mechanism of KRT18 from the perspective of its binding with mRNA and long non-coding RNA for the first time,and speculated the potential function of KRT18 in the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration,laying a foundation for future research on the key functions of KRT18.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) has high morbidity and mortality, but effective clinical drugs and management are lacking. Previous studies have suggested that macrophages play a crucial role in the inflammatory response to AKI and may serve as potential therapeutic targets. Emerging evidence has highlighted the importance of forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1) in mediating macrophage activation and polarization in various diseases, but the specific mechanisms by which FoxO1 regulates macrophages during AKI remain unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the role of FoxO1 in macrophages in the pathogenesis of AKI. We observed a significant upregulation of FoxO1 in kidney macrophages following ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Additionally, our findings demonstrated that the administration of FoxO1 inhibitor AS1842856-encapsulated liposome (AS-Lipo), mainly acting on macrophages, effectively mitigated renal injury induced by I/R injury in mice. By generating myeloid-specific FoxO1-knockout mice, we further observed that the deficiency of FoxO1 in myeloid cells protected against I/R injury-induced AKI. Furthermore, our study provided evidence of FoxO1's pivotal role in macrophage chemotaxis, inflammation, and migration. Moreover, the impact of FoxO1 on the regulation of macrophage migration was mediated through RhoA guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1 (ARHGEF1), indicating that ARHGEF1 may serve as a potential intermediary between FoxO1 and the activity of the RhoA pathway. Consequently, our findings propose that FoxO1 plays a crucial role as a mediator and biomarker in the context of AKI. Targeting macrophage FoxO1 pharmacologically could potentially offer a promising therapeutic approach for AKI.

The da Vinci Surgical System provides surgeons with a three-dimensional image view with greater clarity, which improves surgical precision, particularly in confined surgical spaces. Compared to laparoscopic surgery, robotic surgery has a shorter learning curve and may be a better choice for surgeons. However, some surgeons are susceptible to laparoscopic experience when performing robotic surgery, which can diminish the advantages of the robotic system. We discussed some key issues such as indications, use of energy instruments, surgical approach, lymph node dissection, and digestive tract reconstruction, from the habit of laparoscopic surgery, in light of our team's experience with robotic radical gastric cancer surgery and the latest literature, in order to help beginners better understand the robotic surgical system.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics, postoperative complications, and risk factors for pouchitis in surgical patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).Methods:This was a retrospective observational study. The clinical data of 336 UC patients who had undergone surgical treatment at the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center of the Department of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School from February 2014 to February 2024 were enrolled. The study patients were stratified into 2014-2019 ( n = 158) and 2020–2024 groups ( n = 178), these being the periods before and after biologics were covered for treatment of UC by national insurance in China in 2020. Clinical characteristics and surgical complications were analyzed and compared between the 2014-2019 and 2020-2024 groups. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify the risk factors associated with pouchitis in UC patients undergoing total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (TPC-IPAA). Results:The study cohort comprised 336 UC patients, 193 (57.4%) of whom were men. The median preoperative disease course was 48.0 months and the mean age at colectomy was 46.4±15.4 years. TPC-IPAA had been performed on 275 patients (81.8%), 129 in the 2014-2019 group and 146 in the 2020-2024 group. Sixty-one patients had undergone total or subtotal colectomy, 29 in the 2014-2019 group and 32 in the 2020-2024 group. 262 (78.0%) UC patients underwent surgery due to medical refractory. Ninety-nine (29.5%) had used biopharmaceuticals within 2 months prior to surgery, 63 (18.8%) of them having received infliximab. A smaller proportion of patients had undergone surgery for UC that was refractory to medications in the 2020–2024 group than in the 2014–2019 group (73.0% [130/178] vs. 83.5% [132/158], χ 2=5.384, P=0.020), the patients were older at colectomy (48.0±15.4 years vs. 44.6±15.2 years, t=-2.008, P=0.045), the body mass index was higher (20.2±3.1 kg/m 2 vs. 19.4±3.2 kg/m 2, t=-2.201, P=0.028), the Mayo score prior to surgery was lower ( M[ Q1, Q3]: 11.0 [9.2, 12.0 points] vs. 12.0 [11.0, 12.0) points, Z=-4.242, P=0.001), the rate of Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥ 3 scores was higher (27.0% [48/178] vs. 17.1% [27/158], χ 2=5.384, P=0.020), a greater percentage of patients had received biologics prior to surgery (41.0% [73/178) vs. 16.5% [26/158], χ 2=24.285, P<0.001), and intraoperative blood loss was greater ( M[ Q1, Q3]: 100.0 [100.0, 150.0] ml vs. 50.0 [30.0, 100.0] ml, Z=-7.054, P<0.001) despite the operation time being shorter (253.8±74.6 minutes vs. 315.2±96.8 minutes, t=6.265, P<0.001). Among the 275 patients undergoing TPC-IPAA, 95 (34.6%) had early complications (within 30 days after surgery), 20 (7.3%) of which were Clavien-Dindo Grade III–IV complications. Among these patients, 50 (18.2%) had ileus or small bowel obstruction, 11 in the 2014-2019 group and 39 in the 2020-2024 group; this difference is statistically significant (χ 2=15.225, P<0.001). Ninety-one patients (33.1%) had late complications (more than 30 days after surgery), 75 (27.3%) being pouchitis (36 in the 2014-2019 group and 39 in the 2020-2024 group); this difference is not statistically significant (χ 2=0.049, P=0.824). Five patients (1.8%) had undergone pouch excision with permanent ileostomy. Among the 61 patients who had undergone total or subtotal colectomy, 26 (42.6%) developed early postoperative complications, including 10 (16.4%) Clavien-Dindo Grade III-IV complications and one death (1.6%), the last being attributable to multiorgan dysfunction. Three patients (4.9%) had late complications; the difference in incidence of postoperative complications between the 2014-2019 and 2020-2024 groups is not statistically significant (both P>0.05). Multivariable analysis identified intraoperative blood transfusion (OR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.19–3.75, P=0.010) and interval to stoma closure > 120 days (OR: 2.05, 95%CI: 1.16-3.62, P = 0.013) as independent risk factors for development of pouchitis in UC patients undergoing TPC-IPAA. Conclusion:Surgical treatment of UC remains safe in the biologics era. Proactive strategies to reduce intraoperative blood transfusion and achieve timely stoma closure may reduce the risk of pouchitis in UC patients undergoing TPC-IPAA.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic purse- string suture clamps combined with multi-functional seal caps for esophagojejunal Roux-en-Y anastomosis during total laparoscopic radical total gastrectomy (TLTG).Methods:This was a retrospective descriptive study of 42 patients with primary gastric malignancies who underwent TLTG at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University that utilized laparoscopic purse-string suture clamps and multi-functional seal caps for esophagojejunal anastomosis between May, 2024 and January, 2025. The cohort included 33 males and 9 females, with a mean age of (67.7 ±9.5) years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of (23.9±2.9) kg/m 2. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classifications were I - II in 40 patients and III in 2 patients, and all patients were definitively diagnosed preoperatively via gastroscopy, dual-energy CT, and/or MRI. Tumor locations included the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) in 28 cases (Siewert type II - III), the upper third of the stomach in 12 cases, and the middle third in 2 cases. The median distance of esophageal invasion was 1.3 cm, though in 10 cases this was ≥2 cm. Preoperative TNM staging was I-II in 17 patients and III in 25 patients. Surgical outcomes including operative time, anastomosis time, intraoperative blood loss, pathological results, and postoperative recovery were retrospectively analyzed. Results:All 42 operations were successful. The mean operative time was(212.5±26.4) minutes, and the average time from multi-functional seal cap placement to completion of the esophagojejunal anastomosis was (54.2±7.5) minutes. Mean intraoperative blood loss was (79.9±21.3) ml. Postoperative pathology confirmed R0 resection in all specimens, with a mean proximal esophageal margin distance of (2.1±1.6) cm. Furthermore, (51.9±15.1) lymph nodes on average were harvested from each patient; the mean time to oral intake was (149.5±41.4) hours; and the mean hospital stay was (11.3±5.4) days. Postoperative complications occurred in 6 patients: anastomotic leakage ( n=2), residual intra-abdominal infection ( n=1), pulmonary infection ( n=3), and Clavien-Dindo grade III or higher complications occurred in 2 patients. No recurrence, mortality, or anastomosis-related complications were observed within a median follow-up of 5.8 months (range 3.5-11.2). Conclusion:We find the application of the laparoscopic purse-string suture clamps and multi-functional seal caps for esophagojejunal anastomosis in TLTG to be safe and feasible, with satisfactory short-term outcomes.

Objective:This study aims to analyze historical trends and predict future trends of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to high BMI for osteoarthritis (OA) in China. OA is a common chronic degenerative joint disease, with high body mass index (BMI) being a significant risk factor. in China.Methods:Based on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database, we analyzed trends in high-BMI-attributable OA. The ASR of hogh-BMI-attributable OA DALYs increased from DALYs in China from 1990 to 2021. A Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model was used to predict trends from 2022 to 2046. Age-standardized rates (ASR) and estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) were calculated to assess trend changes of trends. A Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model was used to predict trends from 2022 to 2046. Chi-square tests were used to compare differences in high BMI attribution proportions between regions and years.Results:From 1990 to 2021, China′s OA DALYs increased from 1.829 to 5.327 million, with the proportion attributable to high BMI rising from 13.47% to 21.86% ( χ2=60 527.25, P<0.001). The ASR of high-BMI-attributable to OA increased from 27.4 (-2.2, 81.5) per 100,000 to 53.0 (-4.7, 150.7) per 100 000, with an EAPC of 2.48% [95% (uncertainty interval, UI): 2.35, 2.62]. In 2021, females showed significantly higher ASR (69.2 per 100 000) than males (36.1 per 100 000). Knee OA (ASR: 50.5/100 000) demonstrated substantially higher burden than hip OA (ASR: 2.5/100 000). Age effect analysis showed DALYs peaked at ages 80~90; period effect indicated accelerated growth after 2005; cohort effect showed a U-shaped trend with the 1990 birth cohort having the highest relative risk (approximately 3.0). Projections indicated that up to 2046, total OA DALYs will reach approximately 2.39 million with an ASR of about 71, showing more significant growth among females (ASR reaching 100). Conclusion:High-BMI-attributable to OA DALYs in China shows a significant upward trend, and is expected to continue. This trend is more pronounced among females and elderly populations than males, highlighting the urgency of implementing preventive measures for high-risk groups, particularly in weight management.