OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of perioperative transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on postoperative fatigue syndrome (POFS) in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy. METHODS: A total of 80 elderly patients scheduled for laparoscopic radical gastrectomy were randomized into a TEAS group and a sham TEAS group, 40 cases in each one. In the TEAS group, TEAS intervention was applied at bilateral Hegu (LI4), Neiguan (PC6), Zusanli (ST36) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) from 30 min before anesthesia induction until surgery completion, and at 18:00 on 1st, 2nd and 3rd days after surgery, once a day, 30 min a time. In the sham TEAS group, the same acupoints were selected and connected to the electroacupuncture device at the same time, without electrical stimulation. One day before surgery and 1, 3, 7 days after surgery, the 10-item short form of identity consequence fatigue scale (ICFS-10) score was observed, and the POFS incidence rate of 1, 3, 7 days after surgery was assessed in the two groups. One day before surgery, surgery completion, and 1, 3 days after surgery, the serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), β-endorphin (β-EP) were detected; 1 day before surgery and 1, 3, 7 days after surgery, the serum level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was detected in the two groups. The pain visual analog scale (VAS) score was observed at 24, 48 and 72 h after surgery; the intraoperative dosage of propofol and remifentanil, and the incidence rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting, itching, respiratory depression were recorded in the two groups. RESULTS: In the TEAS group, on 1, 3, 7 days after surgery, except for the scores of item 8-10, the item scores and the total scores of ICFS-10 were lower than those in the sham TEAS group (P<0.001); on 3 and 7 days after surgery, the POFS incidence rates were lower than those in the sham TEAS group (P<0.05). In the TEAS group, on 1 and 3 days after surgery, the serum levels of SOD were higher than those in the sham TEAS group (P<0.05, P<0.01); at surgery completion, and on 1, 3 days after surgery, the serum levels of β-EP were higher than those in the sham TEAS group (P<0.001, P<0.01); on 1, 3, 7 days after surgery, the serum levels of TNF-α were lower than those in the sham TEAS group (P<0.01, P<0.001). In the TEAS group, at 24, 48 and 72 h after surgery, the pain VAS scores were lower than those in the sham TEAS group (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.05); the intraoperative dosage of remifentanil was lower than that in the sham TEAS group (P<0.001); the incidence rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting was lower than that in the sham TEAS group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Perioperative TEAS intervention can effectively reduce the incidence rate of POFS, improve fatigue symptom and mental state in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy, its mechanism may related to enhancing endogenous β-EP release, inhibiting inflammatory response, and reducing central oxidative stress, thereby promoting postoperative recovery.
Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation ; Postoperative Complications/therapy* ; Middle Aged ; Fatigue/etiology* ; Gastrectomy/adverse effects* ; beta-Endorphin/blood* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood*

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the disease burden and inequalities of lower extremity peripheral artery disease (LEPAD) among people aged 40 and above in the Belt and Road partner countries from 1990 to 2021. METHODS: Data were retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 database. The age-standardized prevalence rates, mortality rates, and the annual rate of years lived with disability (YLDs) of LEPAD were analyzed. Trends were measured using the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC), and the slope index of inequality (SII) and concentration index were used to quantify the absolute and relative inequalities. RESULTS: In 2021, the age-standardized prevalence and mortality rates of LEPAD were 3168.26/10⁵ and 3.09/10⁵, increasing by 4.30% and 19.31% compared to 1990, while YLDs rates decreased by 4.00%. Females had higher age-standardized prevalence and YLDs rates, while males had higher mortality rates. The EAPC for prevalence rates was slightly higher in males (0.22%) than in females (0.17%); while the EAPC of age-standardized mortality rate was 2.02% for females, compared to 1.45% for males. From 1990 to 2021, the age-standardized YLDs rates decreased from 16.23/10⁵ to 15.58/10⁵, with a faster decline in females (－0.12%) than in males (－0.06%). LEPAD prevalence varied across countries, with higher burden in Europe and faster growth in Gulf states. Higher socio-demographic index countries had higher prevalence. Inequity improved, with the SII at 52.90/10⁵ and concentration index at 0.038 in 2021. Gender disparities persisted, with concentration index increased to 0.058 in females and reduced to －0.026 in males. CONCLUSIONS LEPAD prevalence and mortality among people aged 40 and above in the Belt and Road partner countries increased, while YLDs rates decreased from 1990 to 2021. Significant differences among people exist depending on gender and country, highlighting the need for enhanced screening, health education, and shared public health strategies across the Belt and Road partner countries.
Humans ; Peripheral Arterial Disease/mortality* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Aged ; Prevalence ; Lower Extremity/blood supply* ; Global Burden of Disease ; Cost of Illness

Somatostatin receptor 1 (SSTR1) is a crucial therapeutic target for various neuroendocrine and oncological disorders. Current SSTR1-targeted treatments, including the first-generation somatostatin analog lanreotide (Lan) and the second-generation analog pasireotide (Pas), show promise but encounter challenges related to selectivity and efficacy. This study presents high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy structures of SSTR1 complexed with Lan or Pas, revealing the distinct mechanisms of ligand-binding and activation. These structures illustrate unique conformational changes in the SSTR1 orthosteric pocket induced by each ligand, which are critical for receptor activation and ligand selectivity. Combined with the biochemical assays and molecular dynamics simulations, our results provide a comparative analysis of binding characteristics within the SSTR family, highlighting subtle differences in SSTR1 activation by Lan and Pas. These insights pave the way for designing next-generation therapies with enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects through improved receptor subtype selectivity.

Primary liver cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality, and exploring effective cure methods for liver cancer has become a major challenge. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent pattern of cell death caused by the accumulation of lipid peroxides. The main mechanisms of ferroptosis include iron metabolism disorders, imbalance of the antioxidant system, and accumulation of lipid peroxides. Inducing ferroptosis of hepatoma cells is regarded as a potential therapeutic strategy for liver cancer. This article aims to outline the key regulatory signaling pathways of ferroptosis in the occurrence and development of liver cancer, and to deeply analyze the potential application prospects of the ferroptosis mechanism in the field of liver cancer treatment.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of low-dose esketamine on intraoperative electroencephalogram (EEG) burst suppression under general anesthesia in elderly patients.Methods:In this prospective randomized controlled trial, 86 elderly patients of either sex, scheduled for elective lumbar fusion surgery at Anhui No. 2 Provincial People′s Hospital from March 15 to June 1, 2024, aged 60-85 yr, with a body mass index of 18-28 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification ⅡorⅢ, were divided into 2 groups ( n=43 each) using a random number table method: esketamine group (group S) and control group (group C). In group S, esketamine at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg was intravenously injected after anesthesia induction, while the equal volume of normal saline was intravenously injected in group C. The occurrence of EEG burst suppression and frequency of the characteristic density spectral array were recorded using the Masimo Sedline cerebral function monitor. The patient state index was recorded before esketamine administration and at 5, 10, 30 and 60 min after administration and at 5 min before the end of the surgery. Delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method at 1 and 3 days after operation. The total pressing times of patient-controlled analgesia within 48 h after operation, requirement for rescue analgesia and occurrence of adverse reactions (nausea and vomiting, delayed emergence from anesthesia, agitation, headache) were recorded. The consumption of ephedrine, phenylephrine, sufentanil and remifentanil during operation, emergence time, time of tracheal extubation, length of stay in the post-anesthesia care unit, and length of postoperative hospital stay were also recorded. Results:Compared with group C, the incidence of EEG burst suppression and frequency of the characteristic density spectral array were significantly decreased, the patient state index values were increased at each time point after administration and 5 min before the end of surgery, the consumption of ephedrine, phenylephrine, sufentanil and remifentanil during operation was reduced, the effective pressing times of patient-controlled analgesia, rate of rescue analgesia, and incidence of postoperative delirium within 3 days after operation were decreased, and the length of postoperative hospital stay was shortened in group S ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Low-dose esketamine can reduce intraoperative EEG burst suppression and decrease the development of postoperative delirium under general anesthesia in elderly patients.

Pancreatic cancer(PC)is a highly malignant digestive system tumor with extremely high mortality and recurrence rates.While traditional surgical resection and chemotherapy remain the main treatment options,challenges such as high postoperative recurrence and poor prognosis persist.Therefore,exploring more effective comprehensive treatment strategies is crucial for improving patient survival and prognosis.This review systematically summarizes recent advances in systemic therapy for PC,with a focus on the application and efficacy of chemotherapy,targeted therapy,and immunotherapy.Additionally,it discusses the potential of neoadjuvant therapy,integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine approaches,and conversion therapy in enhancing the effects of conventional chemotherapy.Studies have shown that targeted therapy can enhance antigen presentation and reduce side effects,while immune checkpoint inhibitors,cancer vaccines,and adoptive cell immunotherapy help mitigate tumor immune evasion and improve the tumor microenvironment.Despite continuous innovation in treatment approaches,clinical management of PC,particularly for advanced-stage patients,still faces significant challenges.Future research should focus on early diagnosis,precision medicine,and personalized treatment strategies to further improve cure rates and patient survival quality,providing more effective therapeutic options for clinical practice.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of low-dose esketamine on intraoperative electroencephalogram (EEG) burst suppression under general anesthesia in elderly patients.Methods:In this prospective randomized controlled trial, 86 elderly patients of either sex, scheduled for elective lumbar fusion surgery at Anhui No. 2 Provincial People′s Hospital from March 15 to June 1, 2024, aged 60-85 yr, with a body mass index of 18-28 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification ⅡorⅢ, were divided into 2 groups ( n=43 each) using a random number table method: esketamine group (group S) and control group (group C). In group S, esketamine at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg was intravenously injected after anesthesia induction, while the equal volume of normal saline was intravenously injected in group C. The occurrence of EEG burst suppression and frequency of the characteristic density spectral array were recorded using the Masimo Sedline cerebral function monitor. The patient state index was recorded before esketamine administration and at 5, 10, 30 and 60 min after administration and at 5 min before the end of the surgery. Delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method at 1 and 3 days after operation. The total pressing times of patient-controlled analgesia within 48 h after operation, requirement for rescue analgesia and occurrence of adverse reactions (nausea and vomiting, delayed emergence from anesthesia, agitation, headache) were recorded. The consumption of ephedrine, phenylephrine, sufentanil and remifentanil during operation, emergence time, time of tracheal extubation, length of stay in the post-anesthesia care unit, and length of postoperative hospital stay were also recorded. Results:Compared with group C, the incidence of EEG burst suppression and frequency of the characteristic density spectral array were significantly decreased, the patient state index values were increased at each time point after administration and 5 min before the end of surgery, the consumption of ephedrine, phenylephrine, sufentanil and remifentanil during operation was reduced, the effective pressing times of patient-controlled analgesia, rate of rescue analgesia, and incidence of postoperative delirium within 3 days after operation were decreased, and the length of postoperative hospital stay was shortened in group S ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Low-dose esketamine can reduce intraoperative EEG burst suppression and decrease the development of postoperative delirium under general anesthesia in elderly patients.

Pancreatic cancer(PC)is a highly malignant digestive system tumor with extremely high mortality and recurrence rates.While traditional surgical resection and chemotherapy remain the main treatment options,challenges such as high postoperative recurrence and poor prognosis persist.Therefore,exploring more effective comprehensive treatment strategies is crucial for improving patient survival and prognosis.This review systematically summarizes recent advances in systemic therapy for PC,with a focus on the application and efficacy of chemotherapy,targeted therapy,and immunotherapy.Additionally,it discusses the potential of neoadjuvant therapy,integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine approaches,and conversion therapy in enhancing the effects of conventional chemotherapy.Studies have shown that targeted therapy can enhance antigen presentation and reduce side effects,while immune checkpoint inhibitors,cancer vaccines,and adoptive cell immunotherapy help mitigate tumor immune evasion and improve the tumor microenvironment.Despite continuous innovation in treatment approaches,clinical management of PC,particularly for advanced-stage patients,still faces significant challenges.Future research should focus on early diagnosis,precision medicine,and personalized treatment strategies to further improve cure rates and patient survival quality,providing more effective therapeutic options for clinical practice.

Primary liver cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality, and exploring effective cure methods for liver cancer has become a major challenge. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent pattern of cell death caused by the accumulation of lipid peroxides. The main mechanisms of ferroptosis include iron metabolism disorders, imbalance of the antioxidant system, and accumulation of lipid peroxides. Inducing ferroptosis of hepatoma cells is regarded as a potential therapeutic strategy for liver cancer. This article aims to outline the key regulatory signaling pathways of ferroptosis in the occurrence and development of liver cancer, and to deeply analyze the potential application prospects of the ferroptosis mechanism in the field of liver cancer treatment.

Cholelithiasis is a common disease of the digestive system.The risk factors for cholelithiasis have been reported and summarized many times in the published literature,which primarily focused on cross-sectional studies.Due to the inherent limitations of the study design,the reported findings still need to be validated in additional longitudinal studies.Moreover,a number of new risk factors for cholelithiasis have been identified in recent years,such as bariatric surgery,hepatitis B virus infection,hepatitis C virus infection,kidney stones,colectomy,osteoporosis,etc.These new findings have not yet been included in published reviews.Herein,we reviewed the 101 cholelithiasis-associated risk factors identified through research based on longitudinal investigations,including cohort studies,randomized controlled trials,and nested case control studies.The risk factors associated with the pathogenesis of cholelithiasis were categorized as unmodifiable and modifiable factors.The unmodifiable factors consist of age,sex,race,and family history,while the modifiable factors include 37 biological environmental factors,25 socioenvironmental factors,and 35 physiochemical environmental factors.This study provides thorough and comprehensive ideas for research concerning the pathogenesis of cholelithiasis,supplying the basis for identifying high-risk groups and formulating relevant prevention strategies.