Severe intra-abdominal infections are life-threatening conditions and a significant challenge for surgeons. This article presents a case of an elderly patient with a severe intra-abdominal infection complicated by an anastomotic leak. This patient had experienced prolonged sepsis and multiple surgical traumas. Upon admission to our department, exploratory surgery revealed extensive bowel edema and adhesions, an anastomotic leak, and abdominal contamination with infection. In accordance with the principles of damage control surgery, the anastomotic leak was exteriorized, the abdomen was left open, and continuous intra-abdominal lavage with dual-lumen catheters was implemented to effectively control the infection. Negative pressure wound therapy was used to manage the open abdomen, and a negative pressure-assisted drainage device was used to manage the enteroatmospheric fistula. After granulation of the abdominal wound, split-thickness skin grafting was performed. The enteroatmospheric fistula was converted into an enterocutaneous fistula. A 3D-printed stoma baseplate was used to manage the digestive fistula. Concurrently, enhanced parenteral and enteral nutritional support was provided. Six months later, the patient successfully underwent definitive fistula resection and abdominal wall defect repair.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) in the comprehensive management of full-thickness perineal wound dehiscence following pelvic exenteration (PE).Methods:This study employed a descriptive case series design. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 29 patients who developed postoperative perineal wound infections with full-thickness dehiscence after PE. These cases included 16 patients from the Department of General Surgery at Jiangyin People's Hospital (Jiangsu Province) and 13 patients from the Department of Colorectal Surgery at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital). VSD was applied to manage the dehisced wounds, with outcomes assessed based on wound healing time, complications, and follow-up data.Results:A total of 29 patients were included in the study. The operative time for PE was (498 ± 83) minutes. Among them, 23 patients underwent combined sacrococcygeal resection. The median number of VSD devices used was 28 (22, 39). The postoperative perineal wound healing time was 95 (82, 110) days in patients who underwent combined sacrococcygeal resection, 74 (63, 89) days in those without sacrococcygeal resection, 93 (79, 102) days in those treated with simple pelvic-abdominal isolation using a biological basement membrane mesh and 76 (60, 91) days in those who received combined pelvic packing with a pedicled omental flap. All patients uniformly developed Clavien-Dindo grade III complications at 2 weeks postoperatively, manifesting as perineal wound infection and dehiscence, which were successfully managed with VSD therapy. Subsequent evaluation identified delayed (>30 days) grade III complications, including enterocutaneous (3 cases) and urinary (2 cases) fistulae, all requiring surgical revision. All patients completed the follow-up at 6 months postoperatively. Three patients still presented with minimal exudate from the perineal wound, which resolved after standardized wound care and packing with alginate silver ion dressings. Four cases (13.8%) developed stoma high-output syndrome, which improved after oral medication. Eight patients (27.6%) developed adhesive intestinal obstruction, which improved with conservative treatment.Conclusions:VSD demonstrates unique advantages in managing complex wounds. For full-thickness perineal wound dehiscence after PE, VSD is a safe and effective therapeutic strategy.

Severe intra-abdominal infections are life-threatening conditions and a significant challenge for surgeons. This article presents a case of an elderly patient with a severe intra-abdominal infection complicated by an anastomotic leak. This patient had experienced prolonged sepsis and multiple surgical traumas. Upon admission to our department, exploratory surgery revealed extensive bowel edema and adhesions, an anastomotic leak, and abdominal contamination with infection. In accordance with the principles of damage control surgery, the anastomotic leak was exteriorized, the abdomen was left open, and continuous intra-abdominal lavage with dual-lumen catheters was implemented to effectively control the infection. Negative pressure wound therapy was used to manage the open abdomen, and a negative pressure-assisted drainage device was used to manage the enteroatmospheric fistula. After granulation of the abdominal wound, split-thickness skin grafting was performed. The enteroatmospheric fistula was converted into an enterocutaneous fistula. A 3D-printed stoma baseplate was used to manage the digestive fistula. Concurrently, enhanced parenteral and enteral nutritional support was provided. Six months later, the patient successfully underwent definitive fistula resection and abdominal wall defect repair.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) in the comprehensive management of full-thickness perineal wound dehiscence following pelvic exenteration (PE).Methods:This study employed a descriptive case series design. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 29 patients who developed postoperative perineal wound infections with full-thickness dehiscence after PE. These cases included 16 patients from the Department of General Surgery at Jiangyin People's Hospital (Jiangsu Province) and 13 patients from the Department of Colorectal Surgery at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital). VSD was applied to manage the dehisced wounds, with outcomes assessed based on wound healing time, complications, and follow-up data.Results:A total of 29 patients were included in the study. The operative time for PE was (498 ± 83) minutes. Among them, 23 patients underwent combined sacrococcygeal resection. The median number of VSD devices used was 28 (22, 39). The postoperative perineal wound healing time was 95 (82, 110) days in patients who underwent combined sacrococcygeal resection, 74 (63, 89) days in those without sacrococcygeal resection, 93 (79, 102) days in those treated with simple pelvic-abdominal isolation using a biological basement membrane mesh and 76 (60, 91) days in those who received combined pelvic packing with a pedicled omental flap. All patients uniformly developed Clavien-Dindo grade III complications at 2 weeks postoperatively, manifesting as perineal wound infection and dehiscence, which were successfully managed with VSD therapy. Subsequent evaluation identified delayed (>30 days) grade III complications, including enterocutaneous (3 cases) and urinary (2 cases) fistulae, all requiring surgical revision. All patients completed the follow-up at 6 months postoperatively. Three patients still presented with minimal exudate from the perineal wound, which resolved after standardized wound care and packing with alginate silver ion dressings. Four cases (13.8%) developed stoma high-output syndrome, which improved after oral medication. Eight patients (27.6%) developed adhesive intestinal obstruction, which improved with conservative treatment.Conclusions:VSD demonstrates unique advantages in managing complex wounds. For full-thickness perineal wound dehiscence after PE, VSD is a safe and effective therapeutic strategy.

Objective:To investigate the mechanism by which baicalein alleviates osteoarthritis by regulating Sirtuin (Sirt) to inhibit the senescence of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS).Methods:FLS were extracted from synovium of non-osteoarthritis patients (3 patients) and osteoarthritis patients (3 patients), and assessed the senescence of FLS in osteoarthritis patients by Western blot, β-galactosidase staining and immunofluorescence, and examined the changing levels of Sirt family proteins and mRNAs in FLS. The relative expression level of Sirt1 in FLS was knocked down by transfection with Sirt1 siRNA, and the antioxidative capacity and senescence degree of FLS were analyzed. Chondrocytes were co-cultured with FLS and functional changes in chondrocytes were detected by Western blot. After inducing FLS senescence with bleomycin (BLM), different concentrations of baicalein were administered to detect the expression levels of Sirt1, p16, and p21 proteins and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). The expression level of Sirt1 in FLS was knocked down, and BLM and baicalein treatments were applied. The relative expression levels of Sirt1 and ROS were detected using Western blot and ROS assays. After BLM-induced FLS senescence, baicalein and Compound C were added. The relative expression levels of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (pAMPK), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), p16, p21, and ROS were detected by Western blot and ROS assays.Results:The relative expression of p16 and p21 in FLS in the osteoarthritic group were 3.66±0.38 and 3.55±0.34, which were higher than those in non-osteoarthritis group 1.00±0.07 and 1.00±0.09 ( t=11.860, P<0.001; t=12.520, P<0.001). The relative expression levels of Sirt1 and Sirt6 in FLS in the osteoarthritis group were 0.30±0.04 and 0.16±0.01, which were smaller than those in the non-osteoarthritis group 1.00 ± 0.03 and 1.00±0.04 ( t=23.840, P<0.001; t=34.130, P<0.001). After baicalein treatment, the relative expression of ROS was 2.58±0.28, 1.65±0.14 and 1.00±0.24 in the BLM, BLM+Bai and control groups, respectively, with statistically significant differences between the groups ( F=35.700, P<0.001), which was greater in the BLM and BLM+Bai than in the control group, and lower in the BLM+Bai than in the BLM group ( P<0.05). The relative expression of pAMPK and NRF2 was 0.28±0.02 and 0.38±0.09 after Compound C+Baicalein treatment, which was lower than that of 0.56±0.07 and 0.60±0.08 in the BLM+Bai group ( P<0.05). The relative expression of ROS increased from 1.75±0.16 to 3.45±0.12 ( P<0.001). The proportion of positivity in the BLM+Bai+Compound C, BLM+Bai and control groups was 47.30%±4.29%, 18.18%±3.89% and 7.70%±3.53% ( F=109.700, P<0.001), respectively, with the BLM+Bai+Compound C group being higher than that in the BLM+Bai group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The downregulation of Sirt1 expression in patients with osteoarthritis leads to FLS senescence and accelerates the progression of osteoarthritis. Baicalein can inhibit FLS senescence by activating Sirt1/AMPK/NRF2 pathway, which may delay the progression of osteoarthritis and improve the function of chondrocytes.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between the mechanism underlying the antidepressant effect of S-ketamine and hippocampal gamma-aminobutyric acid B receptor (GABA BR) in mice. Methods:A total of 54 male C57BL/6(B6) mice, aged 8 weeks, weighing 25-30 g, were used in this study. Forty mice were selected to develop the depression model by chronic social defeat stress. Twenty-six depression-susceptible mice were screened out by social avoidance test at day 11 after developing the model and divided into 2 groups ( n=13 each) by a random number table method: depression-susceptible group (Sus group) and depression-susceptible + S-ketamine group (Sus + S-ket group). The remaining 14 mice served as control group (C group). Starting from day 12 after developing the model, S-ketamine 10 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected every day for 3 consecutive days in Sus+ S-ket group, while the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in C group and Sus group. The open field test was performed at 1 h after the last administration, and the total distance of movement was recorded. The forced swimming test was performed at 1 day after the open field test, and the immobile time was recorded. The sucrose preference test was performed to calculate the proportion of sucrose consumption at 1 day after the forced swimming test. One hour after the end of behavioral test, mice were sacrificed, and the hippocampal tissues were removed. Western blot was used to detect the expression of GABA BR1, GABA BR2, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB), phosphorylated TrkB (p-TrkB), glutamate receptor 1 (GluR1) and postsynaptic dense protein 95 (PSD95). The p-mTOR/mTOR ratio and p-TrkB/TrkB ratio were calculated. The fluorescence intensity of BDNF in hippocampal CA1 region was detected by immunofluorescence. The number of dendritic spines in hippocampal CA1 region was measured by Golgi staining. Results:In the open field test, no statistically significant difference in the total distance was detected among the three groups ( P>0.05). Compared with C group, the immobile time in the forced swimming test was significantly prolonged, the proportion of sucrose consumption was decreased, the expression of hippocampal GABA BR1, GABA BR2, BDNF, GluR1 and PSD95 was down-regulated, and the ratios of p-mTOR/mTOR and p-TrkB/TrkB were decreased, the fluorescence intensity of BDNF and total number of dendritic spines in the hippocampal CA1 region were decreased in Sus group ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in Sus+ S-ket group ( P>0.05). Compared with Sus group, the immobile time in the forced swimming test was significantly shortened, the proportion of sucrose consumption was increased, the expression of hippocampal GABA BR1, GABA BR2, BDNF, GluR1 and PSD95 was up-regulated, the ratios of p-mTOR/mTOR and p-TrkB/TrkB were increased, and the fluorescence intensity of BDNF and total number of dendritic spines in the hippocampal CA1 region were increased in Sus+ S-ket group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism underlying the antidepressant effect of S-ketamine may be related to up-regulation of hippocampal GABA BR expression, activation of mTOR-BDNF signaling pathway, and improvement in synaptic plasticity in mice.

Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a diffuse brain dysfunction caused by sepsis, characterized by altered consciousness and cognitive dysfunction. Microglia, as the main immune cells in the brain, is an important factor in SAE progression. Microglia surface receptors play important roles in SAE pathogenesis by affecting microglia activation; in addition, microglia activation is involved in SAE by exacerbating neuroinflammation, impairing the blood-brain barrier and synaptic function. In this paper, the mechanism of microglial surface receptors and microglial activation in SAE development is reviewed to provide new ideas for SAE prevention and treatment.

Objective To observe the effect of enriched environment (EE) on the pain threshold and depression like behavior in mice with chronic constriction injury (CCI) and the underly ing mechanism.Methods Sixty C57/BL6 mice were equally randomized into five groups:sham operation group (group Sham),CCI+standard environment(SE) group (group CS),CCI+EE group (group CE),CCI+EE+temozolomide group (group CET),CCI+EE+lipopolysaccharide group (group CEL).The paw withdraw threshold (PWT),paw withdraw latency,forced swim test (FST)and sucrose preference test (SPT) were evaluated,after the operation,meanwhile the hippocampal bromodeoxyuridine (Brdu),ki67 and doublecortin (ICX) positive cells,tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) were determined.Results Compared with group Sham,the PWT,PWL,sucrose consumption and Brdu,Ki67,DCX positive cells were significantly decreased,the immobility time and levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were obviously increased in group CS (P＜0.05).Compared with group CE,the PWT,PWL,sucrose consumption and Brdu,Ki67,DCX positive cells were significantly decreased in groups CS and CEL.The immobility time was obviously increased in groups CS,CET and CEL,moreover,the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly increased in groups CS and CEL (P＜0.05).Conclusion EE can improve the neuropathic pain,depression-like behavior and neural regeneration in mice with CCI.The inhibition of neural regeneration can block EE-induced improvement of depression-like behavior,but does not affect the pain threshold in mice with CCI.The augmentation of central inflammation can attenuate EE-induced improvement of pain threshold and depression-like behavior in mice with CCI.

Objective To explore the effect and molecular mechanism of CC chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) on epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human breast cancer cells.Methods Breast cancer Michigan cancer foundation-7 (MCF-7) cells were treated with 50 ng/ml CCL2.The abilities of invasion were detected by Transwell assay.The expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated markers,E-cadherin and vimentin were detected by Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).The expressions of Snail,protein kinase B (AKT),phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT),phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3β (p-GSK3β3) and GSK3β were detected by Western blot.Snail nuclear localization was detected by immunoflurescence staining.Results We found that CCL2 treatment could induce morphological alteration of MCF-7 cells from epithelial morphology to mesenchymal morphology.CCL2 significantly increased the migration of MCF-7 cells,and increased the expression of mesenchymal maker vimentin and decreased epithelial marker E-cadherin.More important,treatment of CCL2 significantly increased the expression of Snail,and promoted the nuclear localization of Snail.Knockdown of Snail significantly reverse the effects of CCL2 on the EMT in MCF-7 cells.Moreover,treatment of CCL2 significantly increased the phosphorylation levels of p-AKT and p-GSK3β,and AKT inhibitor LY294002 significantly inhibited CCL2-induced Snail and p-GSK3β expression.Conclusion CCL2 might induce EMT in MCF-7 cells,by which mechanism is related to activate AKT/GSK3β Snail pathway.

Objective To observe the effects of enriched environment on cognitive function in mice with sepsis-associated encephalopathy and to study the neuron PAS domain protein 4 (NPAS4)/brain deprive neurotrophic factor (BDNF)related mechanisms.Methods Sixty adult male mice were divided randomly into three groups:sham operation with standard environment group (group SS,n =12),cecal ligation and puncture with standard environment group (group CS,n =24),cecal ligation and puncture with enriched environment group (group CE,n =24).All mice were reared in standard environment or enriched environment for 28 days.The fear condition test was conducted on day 29 af-ter operation in mice.The change of NPAS4 and BDNF,the density of dendritic spine were detected by western blot or golgi staining.Results Compared with group SS,the context freezing time, NPAS4 and BDNF expression and the density of dendritic spine in hippocampus decreased significantly in group CS (P < 0.05).Compared with group CS,the context freezing time,NPAS4 and BDNF expression and the density of dendritic spine in hippocampus increased significantly in group CE (P <0.05).No significant difference was observed in the conditional freezing time among three groups.Conclusion Enriched environment can obviously improve cognitive function impairment induced by sepsis-associated encephalopathy,which may be related with up-regulated expression of NPAS4/BDNF,and promoted synaptic plasticity.