Objective:This study aimed to explore the utility of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) combined with skin sympathetic response (SSR) in assessing the effectiveness of perigastric autonomic nerve preservation during radical gastrectomy.Methods:A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted involving 221 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical gastrectomy at the Department of Gastric Surgery, Taizhou People's Hospital, affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, between June 2022 and September 2024. The cohort comprised 109 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical total gastrectomy without autonomic nerve preservation (total gastrectomy without nerve preservation group). Additionally, 112 patients underwent laparoscopic radical distal gastrectomy, including 34 patients who received autonomic nerve preservation (nerve preservation group) and 78 patients who did not (without nerve preservation group). TEAS was administered at the Zusanli and Tianshu acupoints one day before and one day after surgery, during which SSR latency and voltage amplitudes in the upper and lower extremities were recorded and compared across groups. Differences in SSR latency and voltage amplitude between the nerve preservation and non-nerve preservation groups of the distal gastrectomy cohort were also analyzed. Further, TEAS was applied at the same acupoints for 15 minutes on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd postoperative days, and changes in intestinal sounds and intestinal functional recovery time were monitored. Surgical parameters, including operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, and harvested lymph node, were documented. Postoperative inflammatory indicators, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and the incidence of anastomotic leakage, were evaluated. At three months postoperatively, gastroscopy was performed to assess residual gastric food and bile reflux. Additionally, the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) was evaluated across all patient groups.Results:Following total gastrectomy, TEAS of Zusanli combined with arms' SSR revealed a latency of (23 59.71±410.55) ms and a voltage amplitude of (0.43±1.67) mV; for the legs, latency was (2 596.88±369.01) ms and voltage amplitude was (0.25±0.08) mV. TEAS of Tianshu combined with arms' SSR demonstrated a latency of (2 746.47±224.37) ms and a voltage amplitude of (0.31±0.14) mV; for the legs, latency was (2 891.90±193.61) ms and voltage amplitude was (0.19±0.72) mV. Postoperative latency was significantly prolonged, and voltage amplitude was markedly reduced (all P < 0.01). In the distal gastrectomy with nerve preservation group, TEAS of Zusanli combined with arms' SSR showed a latency of (1 668.04±261.91) ms and a voltage amplitude of (0.78±0.26) mV; for the legs, latency was (1 568.86±220.09) ms and voltage amplitude was (0.61±0.24) mV. TEAS of Tianshu combined with arms' SSR demonstrated a latency of (1 519.36±206.99) ms and a voltage amplitude of (0.66±0.34) mV; for the legs, latency was (2 004.80±508.53) ms and voltage amplitude was (0.55±0.28) mV. In the distal gastrectomy without nerve preservation group, TEAS of Zusanli combined with arms' SSR revealed a latency of (2 385.95±710.27) ms and a voltage amplitude of (0.23±0.11) mV; for the legs, latency was (2 506.81±779.37) ms and voltage amplitude was (0.26±1.29) mV. TEAS of Tianshu combined with arms' SSR indicated a latency of (2 697.78±385.55) ms and a voltage amplitude of (0.21±0.14) mV; for the legs, latency was (2 949.14±506.61) ms and voltage amplitude was (0.17±0.11) mV. The group without nerve preservation exhibited significantly prolonged latencies and reduced voltage amplitudes (all P<0.01). No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups in operative time, intraoperative bleeding, the number of dissected lymph nodes, inflammatory indicators (IL-6, CRP, PCT) at 3 days postoperatively, or anastomotic leakage rates (all P>0.05). In the group without nerve preservation, bowel sounds on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3 were (0.36±0.58), (1.04±0.97), and (1.74±1.10) times/min, respectively, with bowel function recovery time of (62.24±9.91) hours. The PNI at 3 months postoperatively was (37.42±3.01). Incidences of food residue in the residual stomach and bile reflux were 21.79% (17/78) and 29.49% (23/78), respectively. In the group with nerve preservation, bowel sounds on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3 were (0.76±0.82), (2.03±1.34), and (3.71±1.27) times/min, respectively, with bowel function recovery time of (44.94±8.05) hours. The PNI at 3 months postoperatively was (41.34±3.40). Incidences of food residue and bile reflux were 5.88% (2/34) and 11.76% (4/34), respectively. Statistically significant differences were observed between the groups (all P < 0.05). Conclusion:TEAS of Zusanli and Tianshu combined with SSR provides an objective measure for assessing the preservation of perigastric autonomic nerves during radical gastrectomy.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of double tract reconstruction and single flap valvuloplasty technique in laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was adopted to analyze the clinical data of 65 patients with gastric cancer who underwent radical proximal gastrectomy at Taizhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from July 2019 to April 2024. According to the different reconstruction methods, the patients were divided into the double tract reconstruction group (double tract; n=43) and oblique anastomosis of esophageal-gastric mucosal window with single flap valvuloplasty technique group (single flap n=22). The baseline data, surgical and postoperative recovery indicators, postoperative pathological results, gastroesophageal reflux at postoperative 6 months, and nutritional status at postoperative 1 year were compared between the two groups. Results:Comparisons of operative time, gastrointestinal reconstruction time, number of lymph nodes dissected, postoperative intestinal function recovery time, total protein, plasma albumin, hemoglobin, and lymphocyte count at 1 week postoperatively, prognostic nutritional index (PNI), time to normalization of postoperative white blood cell count and C-reactive protein, length of hospital stay, hospital costs, and incidence of postoperative pulmonary infection or anastomotic leakage between the two groups showed no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05). However, compared with the double tract group, the single muscle flap group had significantly higher intraoperative blood loss ( P<0.001), higher maximum postoperative body temperature ( P=0.004), and a significantly higher proportion of patients with pleural effusion ≥2 cm ( P=0.029).No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of tumor length, length of esophageal involvement, Siewert classification, tumor differentiation degree, neural invasion, lymphovascular invasion, number of metastatic lymph nodes, tumor T stage and N stage, or UICC TNM staging for gastric cancer (all P>0.05). Nevertheless, the minimum distance of the lower resection margin in the double tract group was significantly longer than that in the single muscle flap group, with a statistically significant difference between the groups ( P<0.001). At 6 months postoperatively, results from the Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (QLQ-C30), Quality of Life Questionnaire-Stomach 22 (QLQ-ST022), Reflux Symptom Index scores, Visick grading, and gastroscopy (Los Angeles classification) all indicated that the incidence of reflux esophagitis in the double tract group was significantly lower than that in the single muscle flap group (all P<0.001). Gastrointestinal contrast examination showed no anastomotic stenosis in either group; gastroesophageal reflux occurred in 5 cases (11.6%) in the double tract group and 4 cases (18.2%) in the single muscle flap group, with no statistically significant difference (χ2=0.524, P=0.469). Gastroscopy results revealed that the incidence of reflux esophagitis at 6 months postoperatively was 9.3% (4/43) in the double tract group and 59.1% (13/22) in the single muscle flap group, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (χ2=18.680, P<0.001).At 1 year postoperatively, the dual-chamber group showed better performance in body mass index(BMI), proportion of a decrease in BMI, plasma albumin, and PNI compared with the single muscle flap group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in hemoglobin or lymphocyte count between the two groups (all P>0.05). During 1 year of follow-up, one case of anastomotic recurrence occurred in each group, with no statistically significant difference between the groups ( P=0.624). Conclusions:Both proximal gastrectomy with double-tract anastomosis and esophagogastric mucosal window oblique anastomosis combined with single muscular flap valvuloplasty for digestive tract reconstruction are safe and feasible. However, double-tract anastomosis can better prevent the occurrence of postoperative reflux esophagitis, improve the patient's postoperative nutritional status, and enhance the patient's quality of life.

Objective:This study aimed to explore the utility of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) combined with skin sympathetic response (SSR) in assessing the effectiveness of perigastric autonomic nerve preservation during radical gastrectomy.Methods:A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted involving 221 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical gastrectomy at the Department of Gastric Surgery, Taizhou People's Hospital, affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, between June 2022 and September 2024. The cohort comprised 109 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical total gastrectomy without autonomic nerve preservation (total gastrectomy without nerve preservation group). Additionally, 112 patients underwent laparoscopic radical distal gastrectomy, including 34 patients who received autonomic nerve preservation (nerve preservation group) and 78 patients who did not (without nerve preservation group). TEAS was administered at the Zusanli and Tianshu acupoints one day before and one day after surgery, during which SSR latency and voltage amplitudes in the upper and lower extremities were recorded and compared across groups. Differences in SSR latency and voltage amplitude between the nerve preservation and non-nerve preservation groups of the distal gastrectomy cohort were also analyzed. Further, TEAS was applied at the same acupoints for 15 minutes on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd postoperative days, and changes in intestinal sounds and intestinal functional recovery time were monitored. Surgical parameters, including operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, and harvested lymph node, were documented. Postoperative inflammatory indicators, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and the incidence of anastomotic leakage, were evaluated. At three months postoperatively, gastroscopy was performed to assess residual gastric food and bile reflux. Additionally, the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) was evaluated across all patient groups.Results:Following total gastrectomy, TEAS of Zusanli combined with arms' SSR revealed a latency of (23 59.71±410.55) ms and a voltage amplitude of (0.43±1.67) mV; for the legs, latency was (2 596.88±369.01) ms and voltage amplitude was (0.25±0.08) mV. TEAS of Tianshu combined with arms' SSR demonstrated a latency of (2 746.47±224.37) ms and a voltage amplitude of (0.31±0.14) mV; for the legs, latency was (2 891.90±193.61) ms and voltage amplitude was (0.19±0.72) mV. Postoperative latency was significantly prolonged, and voltage amplitude was markedly reduced (all P < 0.01). In the distal gastrectomy with nerve preservation group, TEAS of Zusanli combined with arms' SSR showed a latency of (1 668.04±261.91) ms and a voltage amplitude of (0.78±0.26) mV; for the legs, latency was (1 568.86±220.09) ms and voltage amplitude was (0.61±0.24) mV. TEAS of Tianshu combined with arms' SSR demonstrated a latency of (1 519.36±206.99) ms and a voltage amplitude of (0.66±0.34) mV; for the legs, latency was (2 004.80±508.53) ms and voltage amplitude was (0.55±0.28) mV. In the distal gastrectomy without nerve preservation group, TEAS of Zusanli combined with arms' SSR revealed a latency of (2 385.95±710.27) ms and a voltage amplitude of (0.23±0.11) mV; for the legs, latency was (2 506.81±779.37) ms and voltage amplitude was (0.26±1.29) mV. TEAS of Tianshu combined with arms' SSR indicated a latency of (2 697.78±385.55) ms and a voltage amplitude of (0.21±0.14) mV; for the legs, latency was (2 949.14±506.61) ms and voltage amplitude was (0.17±0.11) mV. The group without nerve preservation exhibited significantly prolonged latencies and reduced voltage amplitudes (all P<0.01). No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups in operative time, intraoperative bleeding, the number of dissected lymph nodes, inflammatory indicators (IL-6, CRP, PCT) at 3 days postoperatively, or anastomotic leakage rates (all P>0.05). In the group without nerve preservation, bowel sounds on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3 were (0.36±0.58), (1.04±0.97), and (1.74±1.10) times/min, respectively, with bowel function recovery time of (62.24±9.91) hours. The PNI at 3 months postoperatively was (37.42±3.01). Incidences of food residue in the residual stomach and bile reflux were 21.79% (17/78) and 29.49% (23/78), respectively. In the group with nerve preservation, bowel sounds on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3 were (0.76±0.82), (2.03±1.34), and (3.71±1.27) times/min, respectively, with bowel function recovery time of (44.94±8.05) hours. The PNI at 3 months postoperatively was (41.34±3.40). Incidences of food residue and bile reflux were 5.88% (2/34) and 11.76% (4/34), respectively. Statistically significant differences were observed between the groups (all P < 0.05). Conclusion:TEAS of Zusanli and Tianshu combined with SSR provides an objective measure for assessing the preservation of perigastric autonomic nerves during radical gastrectomy.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of double tract reconstruction and single flap valvuloplasty technique in laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was adopted to analyze the clinical data of 65 patients with gastric cancer who underwent radical proximal gastrectomy at Taizhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from July 2019 to April 2024. According to the different reconstruction methods, the patients were divided into the double tract reconstruction group (double tract; n=43) and oblique anastomosis of esophageal-gastric mucosal window with single flap valvuloplasty technique group (single flap n=22). The baseline data, surgical and postoperative recovery indicators, postoperative pathological results, gastroesophageal reflux at postoperative 6 months, and nutritional status at postoperative 1 year were compared between the two groups. Results:Comparisons of operative time, gastrointestinal reconstruction time, number of lymph nodes dissected, postoperative intestinal function recovery time, total protein, plasma albumin, hemoglobin, and lymphocyte count at 1 week postoperatively, prognostic nutritional index (PNI), time to normalization of postoperative white blood cell count and C-reactive protein, length of hospital stay, hospital costs, and incidence of postoperative pulmonary infection or anastomotic leakage between the two groups showed no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05). However, compared with the double tract group, the single muscle flap group had significantly higher intraoperative blood loss ( P<0.001), higher maximum postoperative body temperature ( P=0.004), and a significantly higher proportion of patients with pleural effusion ≥2 cm ( P=0.029).No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of tumor length, length of esophageal involvement, Siewert classification, tumor differentiation degree, neural invasion, lymphovascular invasion, number of metastatic lymph nodes, tumor T stage and N stage, or UICC TNM staging for gastric cancer (all P>0.05). Nevertheless, the minimum distance of the lower resection margin in the double tract group was significantly longer than that in the single muscle flap group, with a statistically significant difference between the groups ( P<0.001). At 6 months postoperatively, results from the Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (QLQ-C30), Quality of Life Questionnaire-Stomach 22 (QLQ-ST022), Reflux Symptom Index scores, Visick grading, and gastroscopy (Los Angeles classification) all indicated that the incidence of reflux esophagitis in the double tract group was significantly lower than that in the single muscle flap group (all P<0.001). Gastrointestinal contrast examination showed no anastomotic stenosis in either group; gastroesophageal reflux occurred in 5 cases (11.6%) in the double tract group and 4 cases (18.2%) in the single muscle flap group, with no statistically significant difference (χ2=0.524, P=0.469). Gastroscopy results revealed that the incidence of reflux esophagitis at 6 months postoperatively was 9.3% (4/43) in the double tract group and 59.1% (13/22) in the single muscle flap group, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (χ2=18.680, P<0.001).At 1 year postoperatively, the dual-chamber group showed better performance in body mass index(BMI), proportion of a decrease in BMI, plasma albumin, and PNI compared with the single muscle flap group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in hemoglobin or lymphocyte count between the two groups (all P>0.05). During 1 year of follow-up, one case of anastomotic recurrence occurred in each group, with no statistically significant difference between the groups ( P=0.624). Conclusions:Both proximal gastrectomy with double-tract anastomosis and esophagogastric mucosal window oblique anastomosis combined with single muscular flap valvuloplasty for digestive tract reconstruction are safe and feasible. However, double-tract anastomosis can better prevent the occurrence of postoperative reflux esophagitis, improve the patient's postoperative nutritional status, and enhance the patient's quality of life.

Background and Aims:ATP citrate lyase (Acly) is widely expressed in various tissues and has been shown to play a crucial role in many inflammatory diseases. However,the role of Acly in acute pancreatitis (AP)-induced pancreatic injury remains unclear. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Acly on pancreatic injury in a mouse AP model and to preliminarily explore its underlying mechanism.Methods:Twelve male C57BL6/J AclycKO mice (conditional pancreatic Acly knockout) and twelve Aclywt mice (with intact pancreatic Acly expression) were randomly divided into AP groups (administered caerulein at 100 μg/kg intraperitoneally,6 times/d,with 1-hour intervals,for 4 consecutive days) and control groups (administered saline in the same manner),with six AclycKO mice and six Aclywt mice in each group. Pancreatic tissue samples were collected 24 hours after modeling to observe pathological changes in the pancreas and to measure the expression of the macrophage marker CD68,the neutrophil marker myeloperoxidase (MPO),as well as nuclear factor NF-κB p65,Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4),and pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β.Results:Compared with the control group,the AP group exhibited significant pathological changes in the pancreas. The pathological damage in AclycKO mice was more severe than in that in Aclywt mice,with significantly higher inflammation and necrosis of pancreatic tissue scores in AclycKO mice (all P<0.05). In the AP group,the pancreatic expressions of CD68 and MPO were significantly higher in AclycKO mice than those in Aclywt mice (both P<0.05). Additionally,AclycKO mice showed increased nuclear positivity for NF-κB p65 and elevated expression of TLR4,TNF-α,and IL-1β compared with Aclywt mice (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Acly exerts a protective effect against AP-induced pancreatic injury,possibly by inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway,thereby mitigating the inflammatory response.

Background and Aims:ATP citrate lyase (Acly) is widely expressed in various tissues and has been shown to play a crucial role in many inflammatory diseases. However,the role of Acly in acute pancreatitis (AP)-induced pancreatic injury remains unclear. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Acly on pancreatic injury in a mouse AP model and to preliminarily explore its underlying mechanism.Methods:Twelve male C57BL6/J AclycKO mice (conditional pancreatic Acly knockout) and twelve Aclywt mice (with intact pancreatic Acly expression) were randomly divided into AP groups (administered caerulein at 100 μg/kg intraperitoneally,6 times/d,with 1-hour intervals,for 4 consecutive days) and control groups (administered saline in the same manner),with six AclycKO mice and six Aclywt mice in each group. Pancreatic tissue samples were collected 24 hours after modeling to observe pathological changes in the pancreas and to measure the expression of the macrophage marker CD68,the neutrophil marker myeloperoxidase (MPO),as well as nuclear factor NF-κB p65,Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4),and pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β.Results:Compared with the control group,the AP group exhibited significant pathological changes in the pancreas. The pathological damage in AclycKO mice was more severe than in that in Aclywt mice,with significantly higher inflammation and necrosis of pancreatic tissue scores in AclycKO mice (all P<0.05). In the AP group,the pancreatic expressions of CD68 and MPO were significantly higher in AclycKO mice than those in Aclywt mice (both P<0.05). Additionally,AclycKO mice showed increased nuclear positivity for NF-κB p65 and elevated expression of TLR4,TNF-α,and IL-1β compared with Aclywt mice (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Acly exerts a protective effect against AP-induced pancreatic injury,possibly by inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway,thereby mitigating the inflammatory response.

Objective:To explore the effect of preoperative home-based rehabilitation in patients undergoing lung cancer surgery.Methods:From January 2021 to June 2022, convenience sampling was used to select 118 lung cancer patients who underwent surgical treatment at the Xinxiang First People's Hospital of Henan Province. The patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, with 59 cases each. The control group received routine nursing, while the observation group received preoperative home-based rehabilitation. We compared the lung function, nutritional indicators, incidence of postoperative atelectasis and pulmonary infection, as well as the duration of thoracic closed drainage tube insertion and postoperative hospital stay between the two groups.Results:After intervention, the forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum ventilation volume (MVV), the percentage of forced expiratory volume in one second to the predicted value (FEV 1%), ventilate storage ratio (VSR), hemoglobin and serum albumin in the control group were lower than those before intervention, and the levels of FVC, MVV, FEV 1%, VSR, hemoglobin and serum albumin in the observation group after intervention were higher than those in the control group, with statistical differences ( P<0.05). The incidence of postoperative atelectasis and pulmonary infection in the observation group were lower than that in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The observation group had shorter duration of thoracic closed drainage tube insertion and postoperative hospital stay compared to the control group, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Preoperative home-based rehabilitation can effectively maintain postoperative lung function and nutritional status of patients, reduce postoperative complications, shorten postoperative drainage tube insertion time and hospital stay, and facilitate postoperative recovery.

Objective To clarify the clinical features and genetic background of a kindred of primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD).Methods Detailed clinical characteristics and laboratory test results from a ten-year old girl diagnosed as PPNAD were collected.Seven members of her family were screened for Cushing syndrome and Carney complex,and their blood DNA was extracted and sequenced for PRKAR1A,PDE11A,PDE8B and CTNNB1 mutations with ABI3730.Results The girl presented with symptoms and signs of hypercortisolism,while no features of Carney complex were observed.Hypercortisolemia,suppressed corticotrophin and high urinary free cortisol level were revealed.Cortisol level could not be suppressed both in high and low dose dexamethasone suppression test.The diagnosis of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)-independent Cushing syndrome was established.Image and pathology of adrenal glands were in accordance with PPNAD.Other family members showed no evidence of Cushing syndrome or Carney complex.DNA sequencing showed that the patient harbored a missense mutation,C18G.Her father and younger sister were proved to be carriers of this mutation.Conclusion A Chinese PPNAD family was identified clinically and genetically,and a novel missense mutation of PRKAR1A was found.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of triptorelin stimulation test in disorders due to delayed puberty.Methods Triptorelin stimulation test was carried out in 128 teenagers with delayed puberty,due to idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism(IHH) in 77 cases and constitutional delayed puberty(CDP) in 51.Blood samples were obtained 15 min before and 0,30,60,and 120 min after tripotorelin administration,and the levels of LH and FSH were determined.An extended GnRH stimulation test was carried out in 3 patients with IHH.Results Peak LH,peak FSH,and LH increment were parameters with high diagnostic value.A cut-off point at 8.2 IU/L of peak LH showed a sensitivity of 87％ and a specificity of 80.4％ in the differential diagnosis of IHH and CDP.Conclusion Peak LH cut-off point at 8.2 IU/L of triptorelin stimulation test seems to be sufficient to confirm diagnosis of IHH and CDP.An extended GnRH stimulation test may distinguish hypothalamic from the pituitary hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.