Functional dyspepsia(FD)is a prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorder among the elderly, characterized by an unclear pathogenesis and significant challenges in diagnosis and treatment.The emergence of FD in older adults is closely linked to factors such as gastrointestinal motility disorders, visceral hypersensitivity, dysregulation of the gut-brain axis, and psychological influences.Recent years have witnessed substantial advancements in the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying FD, with emerging evidence indicating that low-grade duodenal inflammation and dysbiosis of gut microbiota may play pivotal roles in its onset and progression.This review aims to synthesize the latest domestic and international research regarding the epidemiological characteristics of FD in the elderly, its pathogenesis in the context of aging, and contemporary approaches to diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To investigate the association between short-term blood pressure variability(BPV)and all-cause mortality in elderly patients with early sepsis-associated acute kidney injury(SA-AKI).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on elderly patients with early SA-AKI from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care Ⅳ(MIMIC-Ⅳ)database between 2008 and 2022.All patients were divided into four groups(Q1-Q4)according to the quartiles of the 24-hour systolic blood pressure coefficient of variation(SBPCV): Q1(SBPCV<8.69%), Q2(8.69%≤SBPCV<10.84%), Q3(10.84%≤SBPCV<13.64%), Q4(SBPCV≥13.64%). Cox regression analysis was used to assess the association between SBPCV and one-year all-cause mortality.Restricted cubic spline regression was used for non-linear testing, and threshold effect analysis was further performed for non-linear relationships.Results:A total of 5 955 elderly patients were included in the study, and 2 746(46.11%)patients died within one year following the diagnosis of early SA-AKI.Patients in groups Q1 to Q4 had one-year all-cause mortality rates of 46.34%(690/1 489), 45.56%(678/1 488), 42.47%(632/1 488), and 50.07%(746/1 490), respectively.After adjusting for relevant confounding variables, Cox regression analysis showed that the Q1 group and Q4 group had a 26%( HR=1.26, 95% CI: 1.13-1.41, P<0.001)and 12%( HR=1.12, 95% CI: 1.01-1.24, P=0.047)higher risk of one-year mortality compared to the Q3 group, respectively.SBPCV and one-year all-cause mortality showed a U-shaped non-linear manner( P for nonlinear<0.001). Threshold effect analysis indicated that when SBPCV<13.07%, each standard deviation increase in SBPCV was associated with a 15% reduction in mortality risk( HR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.78-0.92, P<0.001); conversely, when SBPCV>13.07%, each standard deviation increase in SBPCV was associated with an 11% increase in mortality risk( HR=1.11, 95% CI: 1.03-1.21, P=0.011). Conclusions:Short-term BPV may be associated with long-term all-cause mortality in elderly patients with early SA-AKI in a U-shaped manner.However, these findings require further confirmation through high-quality prospective studies.

Objective:To investigate the association between short-term blood pressure variability(BPV)and all-cause mortality in elderly patients with early sepsis-associated acute kidney injury(SA-AKI).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on elderly patients with early SA-AKI from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care Ⅳ(MIMIC-Ⅳ)database between 2008 and 2022.All patients were divided into four groups(Q1-Q4)according to the quartiles of the 24-hour systolic blood pressure coefficient of variation(SBPCV): Q1(SBPCV<8.69%), Q2(8.69%≤SBPCV<10.84%), Q3(10.84%≤SBPCV<13.64%), Q4(SBPCV≥13.64%). Cox regression analysis was used to assess the association between SBPCV and one-year all-cause mortality.Restricted cubic spline regression was used for non-linear testing, and threshold effect analysis was further performed for non-linear relationships.Results:A total of 5 955 elderly patients were included in the study, and 2 746(46.11%)patients died within one year following the diagnosis of early SA-AKI.Patients in groups Q1 to Q4 had one-year all-cause mortality rates of 46.34%(690/1 489), 45.56%(678/1 488), 42.47%(632/1 488), and 50.07%(746/1 490), respectively.After adjusting for relevant confounding variables, Cox regression analysis showed that the Q1 group and Q4 group had a 26%( HR=1.26, 95% CI: 1.13-1.41, P<0.001)and 12%( HR=1.12, 95% CI: 1.01-1.24, P=0.047)higher risk of one-year mortality compared to the Q3 group, respectively.SBPCV and one-year all-cause mortality showed a U-shaped non-linear manner( P for nonlinear<0.001). Threshold effect analysis indicated that when SBPCV<13.07%, each standard deviation increase in SBPCV was associated with a 15% reduction in mortality risk( HR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.78-0.92, P<0.001); conversely, when SBPCV>13.07%, each standard deviation increase in SBPCV was associated with an 11% increase in mortality risk( HR=1.11, 95% CI: 1.03-1.21, P=0.011). Conclusions:Short-term BPV may be associated with long-term all-cause mortality in elderly patients with early SA-AKI in a U-shaped manner.However, these findings require further confirmation through high-quality prospective studies.

Functional dyspepsia(FD)is a prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorder among the elderly, characterized by an unclear pathogenesis and significant challenges in diagnosis and treatment.The emergence of FD in older adults is closely linked to factors such as gastrointestinal motility disorders, visceral hypersensitivity, dysregulation of the gut-brain axis, and psychological influences.Recent years have witnessed substantial advancements in the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying FD, with emerging evidence indicating that low-grade duodenal inflammation and dysbiosis of gut microbiota may play pivotal roles in its onset and progression.This review aims to synthesize the latest domestic and international research regarding the epidemiological characteristics of FD in the elderly, its pathogenesis in the context of aging, and contemporary approaches to diagnosis and treatment.

Sarcopenia, a geriatric syndrome inherently linked to aging, is characterized by progressive decline in muscle mass, strength, and physical function.It has a hidden onset and a high prevalence rate, not only affecting the skeletal muscle system but also being significantly associated with adverse clinical outcomes such as falls, fractures, disability and death.In China, research and clinical practice on sarcopenia started relatively late, resulting in low patients’ awareness, insufficient attention from medical institutions, and inadequate diagnostic and therapeutic abilities of healthcare providers.Therefore, the diagnosis and intervention of sarcopenia in the elderly face numerous difficulties and challenges.Promoting the standardized construction of geriatric sarcopenia clinics to establish a patient-oriented platform for consultation, education, screening, diagnosis, intervention, and management of sarcopenia is of great significance for standardizing and popularizing the diagnosis and treatment of sarcopenia in the elderly in China, improving the level of diagnosis and treatment, and facilitating healthy aging.

The aging of the digestive system contributes to a higher prevalence and more severe consequences of digestive diseases in older adults.These conditions are closely associated with geriatric syndromes, including malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty syndrome.Therefore, it is crucial to actively standardize and effectively prevent and treat digestive diseases in older adults to maintain their health.To this end, conducting both clinical and basic research on digestive system diseases in older adults, particularly randomized controlled trials, and accumulating evidence-based medical data are essential.On this basis, formulating relevant diagnostic and treatment consensus or guidelines is vital for advancing the standardized diagnosis and treatment of digestive system diseases in older adults and improving the quality of care for this population.Although geriatric gastroenterology has historically lagged behind other medical specialties in these endeavors, concerted efforts to bridge this gap have yielded notable progress in recent years.In conjunction with relevant domestic and international consensus or guidelines, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the standardized diagnosis and treatment of geriatric digestive diseases for the benefit of clinicians and researchers in the field.

Objective:To investigate the effects of chronic persistent hypoxia on hepatic function, histological morphology, and ultrastructure in aged mice, and to evaluate the protective role of pyrroloquinoline quinone(PQQ).Methods:Thirty-two 2-month-old (young group)and thirty-two 18-month-old(aged group)male C57BL6/J mice were each randomly divided into four groups (n=8 per group): normoxia+ normal saline (NS)group, normoxia+ PQQ group, hypoxia+ NS group, and hypoxia+ PQQ group.The normoxia+ NS and normoxia+ PQQ groups were housed under normoxic conditions[fraction of inspired oxygen(FiO 2)=21%], while the hypoxia+ NS and hypoxia+ PQQ groups were continuously exposed to a hypoxic environment[FiO 2=(10±0.5)%]simulated by a custom-made hypoxic chamber, maintaining a constant oxygen concentration for 24 hours per day.The normoxia+ NS and hypoxia+ NS groups received daily intragastric administration of NS, whereas the normoxia+ PQQ and hypoxia+ PQQ groups received daily intragastric administration of PQQ disodium salt(8 mg·kg -1·d -1).After 8 weeks of continuous intervention, blood samples were collected to measure red blood cell count, hemoglobin levels, and liver function-related biochemical indicators.Lung tissues were processed for HE staining, and liver tissues were processed for both HE staining and electron microscopy.The histological and ultrastructural features of each group were observed under light and electron microscopy, respectively, and the differences between the groups were compared and analyzed. Results:Compared with the normoxia+ NS groups, both young and aged hypoxia+ NS groups exhibited significant pulmonary arteriole narrowing( P<0.001), with markedly elevated red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels (all P<0.001), which were not alleviated by PQQ.Compared with the young normoxia+ NS group, the young hypoxia+ NS group showed significantly higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT)and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)levels( Z=2.72, 2.53, P=0.007, 0.011), whereas the young hypoxia+ PQQ group exhibited LDH levels similar to those of the young normoxia+ NS group.The aged hypoxia+ NS group exhibited significant ALT elevation( t=2.66, P=0.013)compared with the aged normoxia+ NS group.Light microscopy revealed hepatocyte ballooning degeneration, mild fatty accumulation, and focal necrosis around central veins in the young hypoxia+ NS group, while the young hypoxia+ PQQ group exhibited no significant pathological damage but displayed numerous deeply stained binucleated hepatocytes.The aged normoxia+ NS group demonstrated hepatocyte ballooning degeneration and inflammatory cell infiltration around central veins, whereas the aged normoxia+ PQQ group exhibited no obvious pathological damage with scattered deeply stained binucleated hepatocytes.The aged hypoxia+ NS group exhibited significant necrosis following physiological oxygen concentration gradient distribution, while the aged hypoxia+ PQQ group displayed no obvious pathological damage with scattered deeply stained binucleated hepatocytes.Electron microscopy revealed that the aged normoxia+ NS group had reduced mitochondrial electron density ( P<0.001)and less developed rough endoplasmic reticulum compared with the young normoxia+ NS group.The young hypoxia+ NS group exhibited a smaller mitochondrial area( P<0.001), decreased mitochondrial matrix electron density( P<0.001), blurred or absent mitochondrial cristae, inactive rough endoplasmic reticulum, and increased accumulation of glycogen and lipid droplets compared with the young normoxia+ NS group, while the young hypoxia+ PQQ group maintained mitochondrial matrix electron density comparable to the young normoxia+ NS group.The aged hypoxia+ NS group exhibited larger mitochondrial area( P=0.001), decreased mitochondrial matrix electron density( P<0.001), blurred or absent mitochondrial cristae, mitochondrial edema, increased lysosomes, and elevated cytoplasmic electron density compared with the aged normoxia+ NS group.The aged hypoxia+ PQQ group exhibited reduced mitochondrial area( P<0.001)and restored mitochondrial matrix electron density to levels comparable with the aged normoxia+ NS group.The aged normoxia+ PQQ group demonstrated increased mitochondrial matrix electron density compared with the aged normoxia+ NS group( P<0.001). Conclusions:Chronic persistent hypoxia induces hepatic functional, histological and ultrastructural damage in mice, with more pronounced effects in aged animals.PQQ provides a certain degree of protection against these injuries.

The aging of the digestive system contributes to a higher prevalence and more severe consequences of digestive diseases in older adults.These conditions are closely associated with geriatric syndromes, including malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty syndrome.Therefore, it is crucial to actively standardize and effectively prevent and treat digestive diseases in older adults to maintain their health.To this end, conducting both clinical and basic research on digestive system diseases in older adults, particularly randomized controlled trials, and accumulating evidence-based medical data are essential.On this basis, formulating relevant diagnostic and treatment consensus or guidelines is vital for advancing the standardized diagnosis and treatment of digestive system diseases in older adults and improving the quality of care for this population.Although geriatric gastroenterology has historically lagged behind other medical specialties in these endeavors, concerted efforts to bridge this gap have yielded notable progress in recent years.In conjunction with relevant domestic and international consensus or guidelines, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the standardized diagnosis and treatment of geriatric digestive diseases for the benefit of clinicians and researchers in the field.

Objective:To investigate the effects of chronic persistent hypoxia on hepatic function, histological morphology, and ultrastructure in aged mice, and to evaluate the protective role of pyrroloquinoline quinone(PQQ).Methods:Thirty-two 2-month-old (young group)and thirty-two 18-month-old(aged group)male C57BL6/J mice were each randomly divided into four groups (n=8 per group): normoxia+ normal saline (NS)group, normoxia+ PQQ group, hypoxia+ NS group, and hypoxia+ PQQ group.The normoxia+ NS and normoxia+ PQQ groups were housed under normoxic conditions[fraction of inspired oxygen(FiO 2)=21%], while the hypoxia+ NS and hypoxia+ PQQ groups were continuously exposed to a hypoxic environment[FiO 2=(10±0.5)%]simulated by a custom-made hypoxic chamber, maintaining a constant oxygen concentration for 24 hours per day.The normoxia+ NS and hypoxia+ NS groups received daily intragastric administration of NS, whereas the normoxia+ PQQ and hypoxia+ PQQ groups received daily intragastric administration of PQQ disodium salt(8 mg·kg -1·d -1).After 8 weeks of continuous intervention, blood samples were collected to measure red blood cell count, hemoglobin levels, and liver function-related biochemical indicators.Lung tissues were processed for HE staining, and liver tissues were processed for both HE staining and electron microscopy.The histological and ultrastructural features of each group were observed under light and electron microscopy, respectively, and the differences between the groups were compared and analyzed. Results:Compared with the normoxia+ NS groups, both young and aged hypoxia+ NS groups exhibited significant pulmonary arteriole narrowing( P<0.001), with markedly elevated red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels (all P<0.001), which were not alleviated by PQQ.Compared with the young normoxia+ NS group, the young hypoxia+ NS group showed significantly higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT)and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)levels( Z=2.72, 2.53, P=0.007, 0.011), whereas the young hypoxia+ PQQ group exhibited LDH levels similar to those of the young normoxia+ NS group.The aged hypoxia+ NS group exhibited significant ALT elevation( t=2.66, P=0.013)compared with the aged normoxia+ NS group.Light microscopy revealed hepatocyte ballooning degeneration, mild fatty accumulation, and focal necrosis around central veins in the young hypoxia+ NS group, while the young hypoxia+ PQQ group exhibited no significant pathological damage but displayed numerous deeply stained binucleated hepatocytes.The aged normoxia+ NS group demonstrated hepatocyte ballooning degeneration and inflammatory cell infiltration around central veins, whereas the aged normoxia+ PQQ group exhibited no obvious pathological damage with scattered deeply stained binucleated hepatocytes.The aged hypoxia+ NS group exhibited significant necrosis following physiological oxygen concentration gradient distribution, while the aged hypoxia+ PQQ group displayed no obvious pathological damage with scattered deeply stained binucleated hepatocytes.Electron microscopy revealed that the aged normoxia+ NS group had reduced mitochondrial electron density ( P<0.001)and less developed rough endoplasmic reticulum compared with the young normoxia+ NS group.The young hypoxia+ NS group exhibited a smaller mitochondrial area( P<0.001), decreased mitochondrial matrix electron density( P<0.001), blurred or absent mitochondrial cristae, inactive rough endoplasmic reticulum, and increased accumulation of glycogen and lipid droplets compared with the young normoxia+ NS group, while the young hypoxia+ PQQ group maintained mitochondrial matrix electron density comparable to the young normoxia+ NS group.The aged hypoxia+ NS group exhibited larger mitochondrial area( P=0.001), decreased mitochondrial matrix electron density( P<0.001), blurred or absent mitochondrial cristae, mitochondrial edema, increased lysosomes, and elevated cytoplasmic electron density compared with the aged normoxia+ NS group.The aged hypoxia+ PQQ group exhibited reduced mitochondrial area( P<0.001)and restored mitochondrial matrix electron density to levels comparable with the aged normoxia+ NS group.The aged normoxia+ PQQ group demonstrated increased mitochondrial matrix electron density compared with the aged normoxia+ NS group( P<0.001). Conclusions:Chronic persistent hypoxia induces hepatic functional, histological and ultrastructural damage in mice, with more pronounced effects in aged animals.PQQ provides a certain degree of protection against these injuries.

Sarcopenia, a geriatric syndrome inherently linked to aging, is characterized by progressive decline in muscle mass, strength, and physical function.It has a hidden onset and a high prevalence rate, not only affecting the skeletal muscle system but also being significantly associated with adverse clinical outcomes such as falls, fractures, disability and death.In China, research and clinical practice on sarcopenia started relatively late, resulting in low patients’ awareness, insufficient attention from medical institutions, and inadequate diagnostic and therapeutic abilities of healthcare providers.Therefore, the diagnosis and intervention of sarcopenia in the elderly face numerous difficulties and challenges.Promoting the standardized construction of geriatric sarcopenia clinics to establish a patient-oriented platform for consultation, education, screening, diagnosis, intervention, and management of sarcopenia is of great significance for standardizing and popularizing the diagnosis and treatment of sarcopenia in the elderly in China, improving the level of diagnosis and treatment, and facilitating healthy aging.