OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of acupuncture on podocyte autophagy and long non-coding RNA SOX2 overlapping transcript (LncRNA SOX2OT)/mammalian target of rapamycin C1 (mTORC1)/Unc-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) pathway in rats with diabetic kidney disease (DKD), and to explore the mechanism by which acupuncture reduces urinary protein. METHODS: A total of 40 SPF-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group (n=10) and a modeling group (n=30). The DKD model was established by feeding a high-fat, high-sugar diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) in the modeling group. Twenty rats with successful DKD model were randomly divided into a model group (n=10) and an acupuncture group (n=10). The acupuncture group received "spleen and stomach-regulating" acupuncture at bilateral "Zusanli" (ST36), "Fenglong" (ST40), "Yinlingquan" (SP9), and "Zhongwan" (CV12), 30 min per session, once daily, five times per week, for four weeks. The general condition, fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-hour postprandial glucose (2hPG), serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), 24-hour urinary protein quantification, and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) were compared before and after the intervention. After intervention, urinary podocyte injury marker SPON2 was measured by ELISA. Podocyte autophagosomes and glomerular basement membrane ultrastructure in renal tissue were observed via transmission electron microscopy. Podocyte apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL staining. The protein expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3Ⅱ (LC3-Ⅱ), mTORC1, ULK1, Beclin-1, and p62 in renal tissue was detected by Western blot. LncRNA SOX2OT expression in renal tissue was measured by real-time PCR. RESULTS: After the intervention, compared with the control group, the model group exhibited increased food and water intake, increased urine output, weight loss, and loose stools; compared with the model group, the food and water intake, urine volume, and loose stools were improved in the acupuncture group. Compared with the control group, FBG, 2hPG, SCr, BUN, 24-hour urinary protein quantification, UACR, and urinary SPON2 were all higher in the model group (P<0.01); compared with the model group, the FBG, 2hPG, SCr, BUN, 24-hour urinary protein quantification, UACR, and urinary SPON2 were all lower in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the model group showed reduced podocyte autophagosomes and thickened glomerular basement membrane; compared with the model group, the acupuncture group had increased podocyte autophagosomes and less thickened basement membrane. Compared with the control group, the podocyte apoptosis index (AI) was higher in the model group (P<0.01); compared with the model group, the AI was lower in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the expression of ULK1, Beclin-1, and LC3-Ⅱ proteins was lower, and the expression of mTORC1 and p62 proteins was higher in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression of ULK1, Beclin-1, and LC3-Ⅱ proteins was higher, and the expression of mTORC1 and p62 proteins was lower in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the LncRNA SOX2OT expression was lower in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, LncRNA SOX2OT expression was higher in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION The "spleen and stomach-regulating" acupuncture method could improve renal function in DKD rats, reduce blood glucose and urinary protein excretion, alleviate podocyte injury, and enhance podocyte autophagy. The mechanism may be related to modulation of the renal LncRNA SOX2OT/mTORC1/ULK1 pathway.
Animals ; Podocytes/cytology* ; Diabetic Nephropathies/physiopathology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Rats ; Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1/genetics* ; Autophagy ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Autophagy-Related Protein-1 Homolog/genetics* ; RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism* ; Humans ; Signal Transduction

Objective To investigate the profile of common oral diseases in the Inner Mongolia region and the im-pact on local residents,and to obtain a clear picture of technology availability for local oral physicians and their needs for oral medical training.This will provide an important basis for optimizing the content of continuing educa-tion program and the direction of counterpart assistance in order to improve the technical level of local oral physi-cians and the practicality of oral medical teaching.Methods The study selected oral physicians from the Inner Mongolia region as subjects and designed a questionnaire to explore the current status of oral diseases and the training needs of oral physicians in this area.The chi-square test or Fisher's exact probability method was used for statistical testing.Results Data collected from the survey questionnaires of 181 oral physicians in the Inner Mongolia region indicated that 56.83%of physicians were engaged in routine oral medicine,reaching 56.83%.Dental caries and peri-odontitis were the most common oral diseases in the region(70.37%and 65.74%respec-tively).The most common impacts of these diseases on patients were pain and discomfort.In terms of clinical skills,diagnostic imaging skills,oral examination skills and root canal therapy were the most important as the ob-jective of training there were 70.17%of respondents expressed expectation to get the learning and training opportu-nity for new technologies and methods.Conclusions Continuing education programs and specific targeted assistance projects should focus on strengthening basic professional training for dental practitioners in Inner Mongolia and the promotion of capacity building in the field of healthcare and promotion of oral health in the region.

Objective To explore the effect of ropivacaine combined with dexmedetomidine in transversus abdominis plane block(TAPB)on postoperative stress hormones and cognitive function in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy.Methods A total of 80 patients undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from April to October 2023 were selected as the research subjects.According to different anesthesia methods,the patients were divided into the observation group and the control group,with 40 patients in each group.Patients in the observation group were injected bilaterally with 2.5 g·L-1 ropivacaine and 0.5 μg·kg-1 dexmedetomidine for TAPB,with 20 mL injection on each side.Patients in the control group were injected bilaterally with 2.5 g·L-1 ropivacaine for TAPB,with 20 mL injection on each side.Mean arterial pressure(MAP)and heart rate(HR)were recorded at the time of admission to the operating room(T1),immediately after endotracheal intubation(T2),40 minutes after pneumoperitoneum(T3),and 15 minutes after extubation(T4).Radioimmunoprecipitation was used to detect serum cortisol(COR)level,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure serum norepinephrine(NE)and epinephrine(E)levels at 1,6,12,and 24 hours after surgery.Visual analog scale(VAS)was used to assess pain at rest,and Ramsay sedation scale(RSS)was used to evaluate sedation depth.The doses of propofol and sufentanil were compared between the two groups.Serum β-amyloid(Aβ)and S100β protein levels at 1 day before surgery,1 and 3 days after surgery were detected by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and cognitive function was assessed at the same time points by using the mini-mental state examination(MMSE).Results At T,and T2,there was no significant difference in MAP and HR between the control group and the observation group(P＞0.05).At T3 and T4,MAP and HR in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).At 1,6,and 12 hours postoperatively,VAS score in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P＜0.05).At 24 hours postoperatively,there was no significant difference in VAS score between the control group and observation group(P＞0.05).At 1 and 6 hours postoperatively,RSS score in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05).At 12 and 24 hours postoperatively,there was no significant difference in RSS score between the control group and observation group(P＞0.05).At 1,6,and 12 hours postoperatively,COR,NE,and E levels in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).At 24 hours postoperatively,there was no significant difference in COR,NE,and E levels between the control group and observation group(P＞0.05).The doses of propofol and sufentanil in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).One day before surgery,there was no significant difference in MMSE score between the control group and observation group(P＞0.05).At 1 and 3 days postoperatively,MMSE score in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05).One day before surgery,there was no significant difference in serum Aβ and S100β protein levels between the control group and observation group(P＞0.05).At 1 and 3 days postoperatively,serum Aβ and S100β protein levels in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Ropivacaine combined with dexmedetomidine in TAPB in radical gastrectomy can significantly reduce postoperative pain,increase sedative effect,prolong the duration of TAPB,and benefit patients'postoperative recovery with reduced cognitive impairment.

Objective:To explore the effect of intravenous infusion of remifentanil and remifentanil combined with esketamine on blood glucose during gastrointestinal surgery.Methods:A prospective selection of 160 patients who underwent elective gastrointestinal surgery at Nanjing Hospital and the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from July 2023 to October 2023 was conducted. The patients were randomly divided into a control group (remifentanil group) and an observation group (remifentanil combined with esketamine group) using a random number table method, with 80 patients in each group. Both groups were anesthetized with remifentanil. The observation group received intravenous injection of 0.5 mg/kg of esketamine during anesthesia induction, followed by maintenance at a dose of 0.12 mg/(kg·h) until the sutured skin. The control group received an equal amount of physiological saline, and the anesthesia induction and maintenance plans were the same for both groups. Two groups of intraoperative and postoperative blood glucose and insulin usage, as well as intraoperative atropine and ephedrine usage, anesthesia time, extubation time, and post anesthesia care unit (PACU) retention time were recorded. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores were also recorded at 6, 12, and 24 hours post surgery, as well as the incidence of complications.Results:The intraoperative blood glucose levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, and the blood glucose levels at 6, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively were higher than those before and during surgery. The blood glucose levels at 6 and 12 hours postoperatively were higher than those at 24 hours postoperatively, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The proportion of patients with intraoperative and postoperative blood glucose>7 mmol/L in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the proportion of insulin use between the two groups during surgery ( P>0.05). The postoperative insulin use in both groups was significantly higher than that during surgery, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in anesthesia time between the two groups of patients ( P>0.05). The observation group had shorter extubation time and PACU retention time than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). The incidence of intraoperative heart rate (HR)<60 beats/min and mean arterial pressure (MAP)<60 mmHg in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The maintenance dose of propofol and remifentanil in the observation group were both lower than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). The proportion of additional remifentanil, the dosage of hydroxycodone used within 24 hours, and the proportion of atropine and ephedrine used in the observation group were all lower than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The VAS scores of the observation group at rest and activity 12 hours after surgery were significantly lower than those of the control group, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups at other time points (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Intraoperative infusion of 0.1-0.4 μ g/(kg·min) remifentanil combined with 0.12 mg/(kg·h) esketamine can inhibit intraoperative stress induced blood glucose elevation, maintain good heart rate and mean arterial pressure, and prevent postoperative remifentanil induced hyperalgesia.

Objective To evaluate the predictive performance of C2 HEST score in the progression from paroxysmal to persistent atrial fibrillation(AF)in elderly patients.Methods A retrospective cohort trial was conducted on 515 patients＞75 years old with paroxysmal AF admitted to the First and Second Centers of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2008 to December 2009.The occurrence of persistent AF(including permanent AF)or death was regarded as the end event.According to their C2 HSET score,the end population was divided into a progressive group(76 cases,progression to persistent AF)and a non-progressive group(439 cases,not progression to persistent AF).The risk factors for persistent AF were analyzed,and the survival rate was ana-lyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival curve.ROC curve was plotted to evaluate the performance of C2 HEST score in predicting the progression to persistent AF.Results Multivariate Cox regres-sion analysis showed that COPD(HR=2.018,95％CI:1.262-3.227,P=0.003),heart failure(HR=3.505,95％CI:1.5 9 8-7.688,P=0.002)and stroke or transient ischemic attack(HR=3.663,95％CI:2.293-5.852,P=0.000)were independent risk factors for progression to persis-tent AF.Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis indicated that the survival rate was decreased with the increment of risk stratification(P＜0.01).The median survival time of intermediate-risk patients was 124.81 months(95％CI:120.752-128.862)and that of high-risk patients was 97.04 months(95％CI:86.277-107.808).ROC curve analysis revealed that C2 HEST score(AUC value=0.649,95％CI:0.577-0.721,P＜0.01)had good predictive value in the progression of paroxysmal AF to persistent AF.Conclusion In patients over 75 years of age,C2 HEST score has a good performance in evaluating the progression from paroxysmal to persistent AF.

Objective:Exploring the role and mechanism of gremlin-1 in lipotoxicity-mediated pancreatic β-cell dysfunction.Methods:The model of lipid toxicity-mediated pancreatic β-cell dysfunction was constructed using palmitic acid(PA) to treat mouse pancreatic β-cells(MIN6). Initially, to clarify the effects of lipotoxicity on islet β-cells, the cellular lipid deposition and changes in the levels of insulin caused by PA were detected. The effects of PA on gremlin-1 expression and its downstream signaling pathway BMPs/Smads were further investigated using qPCR and Western Blot assay. Subsequently, recombinant mouse gremlin-1 protein and BMP signaling pathway inhibitor LDN193189 were used to intervene the cells to explore the effects of gremlin-1 and its downstream signaling pathway BMPs/Smads on pancreatic islet β-cells.Results:PA could reduce pancreatic β-cell viability and insulin secretion capacity( P<0.05). Meanwhile, PA inhibited the expression and secretion of cell gremlin-1 and upregulated BMP-4 and its downstream Smad-1 and Smad-5( P<0.05). Intervention of cells with recombinant mouse gremlin-1 protein resulted in a significant elevation of insulin secretion and a concomitant decrease in the expression of key molecules in the BMP4/Smads signaling pathway( P<0.05). And inhibition of the BMP4/Smads signaling pathway ameliorated PA-induced pancreatic β-cell dysfunction. Conclusion:Gremlin-1 is involved in the regulation of lipotoxicity-mediated pancreatic islet β-cell dysfunction, and this effect may be associated with activation of BMP4/Smads signaling pathway.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS) in the perioperative period of congenital choledochal cysts in children.Methods:This is a multicenter prospective randomized controlled study. The clinical data of 273 pediatric congenital choledochal cysts(CCC) patients who underwent surgery at 14 medical centers with complete follow-up data were collected through the medical data analysis platform. Among them, 123 cases in ERAS group were managed perioperatively in strict accordance with ERAS mode, and 150 cases in conventional group were managed according to traditional mode. The length of hospital stay,time to first farting, time to complete feeding, the incidence of complications, cost and readmission rate within 30 days,stress indexes and liver function were compared between the two groups.Results:Compared with the conventional group, median time to start farting (2.0 d vs. 3.0 d, P<0.001), median time to complete feeding (5.0 d vs. 7.0 d, P<0.001), median postoperative hospitalization time (6.0 d vs. 9.0 d, P<0.001),the median total length of stay(13.0 d vs. 15.0 d, P<0.001) were shorter,the median hospitalization cost (37,000 yuan vs.43,000 yuan P<0.001) was lower, and stress indexes recovered quickly. The incidence of postoperative hospital stay and readimission rate within 30 d were not statistically different between the two groups. Conclusion:It is safe and feasible to implement ERAS for children with CCC in the perioperative period, which can reduce stress response, speed up recovery,and save medical costs.

Aim To investigate the protective effect of remimazolam(Re)combined with thoracic sympathetic nerve block(TSNB)on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion(MI/R)rats.Methods Rats were randomly separated into control group,MI/R group,Re group,TSNB group,and Re+TSNB group,with 12 rats in each group.Except for the control group,the remaining rats were subjected to left anterior descending coronary artery(LAD)ligation to construct an MI/R model.In the Re group,20 mg/kg Re was intraperitoneally injected 30 min before ischemia.In TSNB group,0.2％ropivacaine 50 μL was injected into the thoracic epidural catheter 30 min before ischemia.In the Re+TSNB group,20 mg/kg Re was intraperitoneally injected and 0.2％ropivacaine 50 μL was injected into the thoracic epidural catheter 30 min before ischemia.The control group and MI/R group were injected with normal saline only.Rats in each group were evaluated for cardiac function and infarct size.HE staining and TUNEL staining were applied to observe pathological changes in myocardial tissue and myocardial cell apoptosis.Serum myocardial injury markers creatine kinase(CK)and aspartate transaminase(AST),cardiac troponin(cTnⅠ),myocardial inflammatory factors interleukin-8(IL-8),tumor nec-rosis factor-α(TNF-α),and oxidative stress factors malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD)were detec-ted.Western blot was applied to detect the expression of IL-8,TNF-α,B lymphoblastoma-2-associated X protein(Bax),and B-lymphoblastoma-2(Bcl-2)in myocardial tissue.Results Compared with the control group,the myocardial cells of rats showed edema and myocardial fiber disorder in the MI/R group,the left ventricular developmental pressure(LVDP),maximal left ventricular pressure rising rate(+dp/dtmax),maximal left ventricular pressure decreasing rate(-dp/dtmax),SOD activity,and level of Bcl-2 were significantly reduced,the myocardial infarction area,cell apoptosis rate,levels of cTnⅠ,CK,AST,IL-8,TNF-α,MDA,and Bax were increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the MI/R group,the morphology of myocardial fibers and myocardial cells was significantly improved in the Re group,TSNB group and Re+TSNB group,the LVDP,±dp/dtmax,SOD activity,and level of Bcl-2 were significantly increased,the myocardial infarction area,cell apoptosis rate,levels of cTnI,CK,AST,IL-8,TNF-α,MDA,and Bax were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with the Re group and TSNB group,the LVDP,±dp/dtmax,SOD activity,and level of Bcl-2 were significantly increased in the Re+TSNB group,the myocardial infarction area,cell apoptosis rate,levels of cTnⅠ,CK,AST,IL-8,TNF-α,MDA,and Bax were significantly decreased(all P＜0.05).Conclusion The combination of Re and TSNB may protect against MI/R injury by reducing myocardial infarction and myocardial cell apoptosis,and inhibiting inflammatory response and oxidative stress.

Objective To investigate the effect of nasal mask on preventing respiratory depression and hypoxia during anesthesia under painless gastroscopy.Methods 246 patients underwent elective painless gastroscopy from September 2022 to March 2023 were selected and divided into nasal catheter oxygen group(group C)and nasal mask oxygen group(group M)according to random number table method.The group C was inhaled oxygen by conventional nasal cannula,and in group M,oxygen was inhaled by a nasal mask.Patients in both groups were given 5 L/min preoxygenation for 3 min.After induction of anesthesia,gastroscopy was performed when modified observer's assessment of alertness/sedation(MOAA/S)score≤1.During anesthesia,hypoxia interventions were performed in group C based on percutaneous arterial oxygen saturation(SpO2)and in group M based on partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide(PetCO2)and SpO2.The incidence of subclinical respiratory depression,hypoxia and severe hypoxia during anesthesia was recorded.The minimum SpO2 value during anesthesia was recorded;Implementation of intervention measures of jaw lifting,mask pressure oxygen and tracheal intubation.Record the number of gastroscope withdrawal cases.Mean arterial pressure(MAP),heart rate(HR),and respiratory rate(RR)were recorded at the time of entry(T0),immediately after induction of anesthesia(T1),at the end of gastroscopy(T2),and 5 minutes after awakening(T3).The occurrence of perioperative adverse events and the satisfaction of anesthesiologists and endoscopists were recorded.Results Compared with group C,the incidence of subclinical respiratory depression,hypoxia and severe hypoxia in group M was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The minimum value of SpO2 during anesthesia in group M was higher than that in group C(P<0.05).The incidence of jaw-lifting and mask ventilation were lower in group M than that in group C(P<0.05).The incidence of gastroscope withdrawal due to airway intervention in group M was lower than that in group C(P<0.05).Compared with T0,MAP,HR and RR of the two groups were significant reduction at T1 and T2(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups(P>0.05).The satisfaction of endoscopists in group M was higher than that in group C(P<0.05).Conclusion Compared with nasal catheter oxygen inhalation,anesthesia nasal mask can timely detect hypopnea and respiratory depression during gastroscopy,reduce the occurrence of hypoxia,and improve the airway safety of painless gastroscopy patients.

Objective In this study,we analyzed the transcriptome sequences of Kupffer cells exposed to simulated microgravity for 3 d and conducted biological experiments to determine how microgravity initiates apoptosis in Kupffer cells. Methods Rotary cell culture system was used to construct a simulated microgravity model.GO and KEGG analyses were conducted using the DAVID database.GSEA was performed using the R language.The STRING database was used to conduct PPI analysis.qPCR was used to measure the IL1B,TNFA,CASP3,CASP9,and BCL2L11 mRNA expressions.Western Blotting was performed to detect the level of proteins CASP3 and CASP 9.Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane cells.Transmission electron microscopy was used to detect changes in the ultrastructure of Kupffer cells. Results Transcriptome Sequencing indicated that simulated microgravity affected apoptosis and the inflammatory state of Kupffer cells.Simulated microgravity improved the CASP3,CASP9,and BCL2L11 expressions in Kupffer cells.Annexin-V/PI and JC-1 assays showed that simulated microgravity promoted apoptosis in Kupffer cells.Simulated microgravity causes M1 polarization in Kupffer cells. Conclusion Our study found that simulated microgravity facilitated the apoptosis of Kupffer cells through the mitochondrial pathway and activated Kupffer cells into M1 polarization,which can secrete TNFA to promote apoptosis.