Objective:To investigate the diagnostic potential of serum Dickkopf-related protein 3(Dkk3)as a novel biomarker for sarcopenia in an elderly Chinese population by examining its correlation with muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical function.Methods:The study included elderly individuals aged ≥60 years from the Health Examination Center of Jiangsu Provincial Hospital between 2021 and 2022, who had independent mobility and were free from acute diseases.Fat and muscle mass were measured using Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry(DXA). Grip strength and chair stand test times were employed to assess upper and lower limb muscle strength, respectively.Physical function was evaluated using the Short Physical Performance Battery(SPPB). Serum Dkk3 concentration was measured using a human Dkk3 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)kit.Results:A total of 108 elderly participants(83 males)were included in the study, with an age range of 60 to 97 years(mean age: 70.6±10.8). Serum Dkk3 concentration was found to be negatively correlated with the skeletal muscle mass index(SMI)( R=-0.292, P=0.002), lower limb muscle mass( R=-0.320, P<0.001), upper limb muscle mass( R=-0.222, P=0.020), and hip muscle mass( R=-0.261, P=0.006). Functional assessments revealed negative correlations with grip strength( R=-0.204, P=0.035), 4-meter walking speed( R=-0.195, P=0.043), the three-position balance test( R=-0.245, P=0.011), and the SPPB score( R=-0.196, P=0.043). Regression analysis indicated that, after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index(BMI), and comorbidities, Dkk3 remained negatively associated with lower limb muscle mass( β=-0.197, P=0.012), hip muscle mass( β=-0.156, P=0.029), and the SPPB score( β=-0.001, P=0.013). The sarcopenia group exhibited a 55.6% higher serum Dkk3 level compared to the control group(76.68±37.62 ng/ml vs.49.27±25.88 ng/ml, P<0.001). Receiver Operating Characteristic(ROC)curve analysis determined the optimal diagnostic threshold to be 80.08 ng/ml, with an area under the curve of 0.726, a sensitivity of 41.98%, and a specificity of 96.30% for detecting sarcopenia. Conclusions:Serum Dkk3 is closely associated with reduced muscle mass in the lower limbs and hips, as well as a decline in physical function, in elderly individuals with sarcopenia.Given its cost-effectiveness and clinical utility, serum Dkk3 shows potential as a meaningful biomarker for diagnosing sarcopenia in the elderly.

Objective To explore the molecular mechanism of autophagy mediated by the protein kinase B(AKT)/mammalian target protein of rapamycin(mTOR)pathway in the rehabilitation of muscle atrophy associated with rotator cuff tears(RCTs).Methods Forty male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to the following four groups:sham group,RCTs group,RCTs+exercise group,and RCTs+exercise+rapamycin group,with 10 mice in each group.On the eighth week after grouping,healing of the bone-tendon interface and muscle cell atrophy were analyzed by histology.The mRNA expression levels of muscle-atrophy-related genes(Atrogin-1,Bnip 3,MuRF-1)in supraspinatus muscle tissue were measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.The expression of LC3 and AKT/mTOR signal pathway proteins in the supraspinatus muscle tissue of the groups was detected by Western blot,and the degree of autophagy in each group was analyzed by transmission electron microscope.Results Compared with the sham operation group,in RCTs group's maturity score for the bone-tendon interface at the supraspinatus tendon anchorage and the cross-sectional area of the supraspinatus muscle fibers decreased significantly(P＜0.001),while muscle loss and the expression of Atrogin-1,Bnip 3,and MuRF-1 increased significantly(P＜0.001).Compared with the RCTs group,the RCTs+exercise group showed a significant increase in bone-tendon interface maturity score and cross-sectional area of the supraspinatus muscle fibers(P＜0.01)and a decrease in muscle loss and the expression of Atrogin-1,Bnip 3,and MuRF-1(P＜0.01).Compared with the sham group,the RCTs group's LC3Ⅰ/LC3Ⅱ and degree of autophagy in the supraspinatus muscle increased significantly(P＜0.001),while p-AKT/AKT and p-mTOR/mTOR expression decreased significantly(P＜0.01).Compared with RCTs group,the RCTs+exercise group's LC3Ⅰ/LC3Ⅱ and degree of autophagy decreased significantly(P＜0.01)and p-AKT/AKT and p-mTOR/mTOR expression increased significantly(P＜0.001).The addition of rapamycin significantly reversed the rehabilitation effect of exercise in the RCTs group.Conclusions This study confirmed the anti-atrophy effect of exercise rehabilitation in RCT diseases and showed that its mechanism is related to AKT/mTOR signal activation,which inhibits autophagy.

Background:Liver cirrhosis is characterized by chronic inflammation,progressive fibrosis,and eventual liver dysfunction,and poses a major global health challenge.Aims:To assess the global burden of liver cirrhosis and its risk factors from 1990 to 2021.Methods:Using data extracted from the Global Burden of Diseases,Injuries,and Risk Factors Study(GBD)2021,the incidence,mortality,disability-adjusted life years(DALYs),and their age-standardized rates of liver cirrhosis were analyzed.Furthermore,a stratified analysis was conducted by sex,age,region,and etiology,with projections of the trends in the next 15 years.Results:Compared to 1990,the global incidence number of liver cirrhosis in 2021 was increased by 58.2%,the death number and DALYs rose by 39.5%and 27.9%,respectively.While the global age-standardized incidence rate(ASIR)showed a slight increase,the age-standardized death rate(ASDR)and DALY rate continued to decline.Both ASIR and ASDR exhibited negative correlations with the sociodemographic index(SDI).All age-standardized rates were higher in males than in females.Since 1990,the incidence rate increased in younger populations,while the mortality and DALY rates declined in most age groups.Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)emerged as the leading cause of incidence,whereas chronic hepatitis B and C remained the primary contributors to deaths and DALYs.The incidence of NAFLD was prominent in high and high-middle SDI regions,while chronic hepatitis B was concentrated in low SDI regions.Projections to 2036 indicated a continuing rise in ASIR,and declines in ASDR and DALY rate.The incidence of chronic hepatitis B was projected to decrease markedly,whereas that of NAFLD was expected to continue increasing.Conclusions:Between 1990 and 2021,the global incidence of liver cirrhosis showed a modest increase;in contrast,both mortality and DALY rates demonstrated a steady decline.Burden of liver cirrhosis poses notable regional disparities.NAFLD dominates incidence in high-income regions,while viral hepatitis remains predominant in low-income areas,highlighting the need for region-specific prevention strategies.

Objective:This study aimed to propose an innovative modular surgical technique and explore its safety and application value in laparoscopic total gastrectomy combined with spleen-preserving hilar lymphadenectomy for advanced proximal gastric cancer invading the greater curvature.Methods:A retrospective collection was conducted on 34 patients with proximal gastric cancer invading the greater curvature who underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy combined with spleen-preserving hilar lymphadenectomy in the same center from October 2020 to December 2022. The technical key points, precautions and crucial steps of the modular surgical technique were summarized, and the Clinical indicators were analyzed.Results:All 34 patients successfully completed the operation under laparoscopy without conversion to open surgery. The average operation duration was 151.9±4.1 minutes, and the duration of splenic hilar lymphadenectomy was 12.9±1.5 minutes. The median intraoperative blood loss was 50(20, 50) ml, and the blood loss during splenic hilar lymphadenectomy was 5 (2, 5) ml. The median number of harvested lymph nodes was 32.0 (23.5,39.5), and the number of submitted No.10 lymph nodes was 3 (2, 4). The metastasis rate of No.10 lymph nodes was 20.6% (7/34). No patient had intraoperative complications. During the postoperative hospital stay, one patient had incision infection (Clavien-Dindo I), and one patient had pulmonary infection (Clavien-Dindo II). The time for the first postoperative feeding was 3 (2, 5) days, the time for the first postoperative flatus was 2 (2,3) days, the time for the first postoperative defecation was 3 (3, 4) days, the total postoperative drainage volume was 1047.5 (607.5,1397.5) mL, the time for postoperative drainage tube removal was 7 (6, 9) days, and the length of postoperative hospital stay was 7.0 (6.0, 9.5) days.Conclusions:The application of the innovative modular surgical technique in laparoscopic total gastrectomy combined with spleen-preserving hilar lymphadenectomy can simplify surgical process and enable safe, precise and comprehensive dissection of splenic hilar lymph nodes.

Objective To explore the molecular mechanism of autophagy mediated by the protein kinase B(AKT)/mammalian target protein of rapamycin(mTOR)pathway in the rehabilitation of muscle atrophy associated with rotator cuff tears(RCTs).Methods Forty male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to the following four groups:sham group,RCTs group,RCTs+exercise group,and RCTs+exercise+rapamycin group,with 10 mice in each group.On the eighth week after grouping,healing of the bone-tendon interface and muscle cell atrophy were analyzed by histology.The mRNA expression levels of muscle-atrophy-related genes(Atrogin-1,Bnip 3,MuRF-1)in supraspinatus muscle tissue were measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.The expression of LC3 and AKT/mTOR signal pathway proteins in the supraspinatus muscle tissue of the groups was detected by Western blot,and the degree of autophagy in each group was analyzed by transmission electron microscope.Results Compared with the sham operation group,in RCTs group's maturity score for the bone-tendon interface at the supraspinatus tendon anchorage and the cross-sectional area of the supraspinatus muscle fibers decreased significantly(P＜0.001),while muscle loss and the expression of Atrogin-1,Bnip 3,and MuRF-1 increased significantly(P＜0.001).Compared with the RCTs group,the RCTs+exercise group showed a significant increase in bone-tendon interface maturity score and cross-sectional area of the supraspinatus muscle fibers(P＜0.01)and a decrease in muscle loss and the expression of Atrogin-1,Bnip 3,and MuRF-1(P＜0.01).Compared with the sham group,the RCTs group's LC3Ⅰ/LC3Ⅱ and degree of autophagy in the supraspinatus muscle increased significantly(P＜0.001),while p-AKT/AKT and p-mTOR/mTOR expression decreased significantly(P＜0.01).Compared with RCTs group,the RCTs+exercise group's LC3Ⅰ/LC3Ⅱ and degree of autophagy decreased significantly(P＜0.01)and p-AKT/AKT and p-mTOR/mTOR expression increased significantly(P＜0.001).The addition of rapamycin significantly reversed the rehabilitation effect of exercise in the RCTs group.Conclusions This study confirmed the anti-atrophy effect of exercise rehabilitation in RCT diseases and showed that its mechanism is related to AKT/mTOR signal activation,which inhibits autophagy.

Background:Liver cirrhosis is characterized by chronic inflammation,progressive fibrosis,and eventual liver dysfunction,and poses a major global health challenge.Aims:To assess the global burden of liver cirrhosis and its risk factors from 1990 to 2021.Methods:Using data extracted from the Global Burden of Diseases,Injuries,and Risk Factors Study(GBD)2021,the incidence,mortality,disability-adjusted life years(DALYs),and their age-standardized rates of liver cirrhosis were analyzed.Furthermore,a stratified analysis was conducted by sex,age,region,and etiology,with projections of the trends in the next 15 years.Results:Compared to 1990,the global incidence number of liver cirrhosis in 2021 was increased by 58.2%,the death number and DALYs rose by 39.5%and 27.9%,respectively.While the global age-standardized incidence rate(ASIR)showed a slight increase,the age-standardized death rate(ASDR)and DALY rate continued to decline.Both ASIR and ASDR exhibited negative correlations with the sociodemographic index(SDI).All age-standardized rates were higher in males than in females.Since 1990,the incidence rate increased in younger populations,while the mortality and DALY rates declined in most age groups.Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)emerged as the leading cause of incidence,whereas chronic hepatitis B and C remained the primary contributors to deaths and DALYs.The incidence of NAFLD was prominent in high and high-middle SDI regions,while chronic hepatitis B was concentrated in low SDI regions.Projections to 2036 indicated a continuing rise in ASIR,and declines in ASDR and DALY rate.The incidence of chronic hepatitis B was projected to decrease markedly,whereas that of NAFLD was expected to continue increasing.Conclusions:Between 1990 and 2021,the global incidence of liver cirrhosis showed a modest increase;in contrast,both mortality and DALY rates demonstrated a steady decline.Burden of liver cirrhosis poses notable regional disparities.NAFLD dominates incidence in high-income regions,while viral hepatitis remains predominant in low-income areas,highlighting the need for region-specific prevention strategies.

Objective:This study aimed to propose an innovative modular surgical technique and explore its safety and application value in laparoscopic total gastrectomy combined with spleen-preserving hilar lymphadenectomy for advanced proximal gastric cancer invading the greater curvature.Methods:A retrospective collection was conducted on 34 patients with proximal gastric cancer invading the greater curvature who underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy combined with spleen-preserving hilar lymphadenectomy in the same center from October 2020 to December 2022. The technical key points, precautions and crucial steps of the modular surgical technique were summarized, and the Clinical indicators were analyzed.Results:All 34 patients successfully completed the operation under laparoscopy without conversion to open surgery. The average operation duration was 151.9±4.1 minutes, and the duration of splenic hilar lymphadenectomy was 12.9±1.5 minutes. The median intraoperative blood loss was 50(20, 50) ml, and the blood loss during splenic hilar lymphadenectomy was 5 (2, 5) ml. The median number of harvested lymph nodes was 32.0 (23.5,39.5), and the number of submitted No.10 lymph nodes was 3 (2, 4). The metastasis rate of No.10 lymph nodes was 20.6% (7/34). No patient had intraoperative complications. During the postoperative hospital stay, one patient had incision infection (Clavien-Dindo I), and one patient had pulmonary infection (Clavien-Dindo II). The time for the first postoperative feeding was 3 (2, 5) days, the time for the first postoperative flatus was 2 (2,3) days, the time for the first postoperative defecation was 3 (3, 4) days, the total postoperative drainage volume was 1047.5 (607.5,1397.5) mL, the time for postoperative drainage tube removal was 7 (6, 9) days, and the length of postoperative hospital stay was 7.0 (6.0, 9.5) days.Conclusions:The application of the innovative modular surgical technique in laparoscopic total gastrectomy combined with spleen-preserving hilar lymphadenectomy can simplify surgical process and enable safe, precise and comprehensive dissection of splenic hilar lymph nodes.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic potential of serum Dickkopf-related protein 3(Dkk3)as a novel biomarker for sarcopenia in an elderly Chinese population by examining its correlation with muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical function.Methods:The study included elderly individuals aged ≥60 years from the Health Examination Center of Jiangsu Provincial Hospital between 2021 and 2022, who had independent mobility and were free from acute diseases.Fat and muscle mass were measured using Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry(DXA). Grip strength and chair stand test times were employed to assess upper and lower limb muscle strength, respectively.Physical function was evaluated using the Short Physical Performance Battery(SPPB). Serum Dkk3 concentration was measured using a human Dkk3 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)kit.Results:A total of 108 elderly participants(83 males)were included in the study, with an age range of 60 to 97 years(mean age: 70.6±10.8). Serum Dkk3 concentration was found to be negatively correlated with the skeletal muscle mass index(SMI)( R=-0.292, P=0.002), lower limb muscle mass( R=-0.320, P<0.001), upper limb muscle mass( R=-0.222, P=0.020), and hip muscle mass( R=-0.261, P=0.006). Functional assessments revealed negative correlations with grip strength( R=-0.204, P=0.035), 4-meter walking speed( R=-0.195, P=0.043), the three-position balance test( R=-0.245, P=0.011), and the SPPB score( R=-0.196, P=0.043). Regression analysis indicated that, after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index(BMI), and comorbidities, Dkk3 remained negatively associated with lower limb muscle mass( β=-0.197, P=0.012), hip muscle mass( β=-0.156, P=0.029), and the SPPB score( β=-0.001, P=0.013). The sarcopenia group exhibited a 55.6% higher serum Dkk3 level compared to the control group(76.68±37.62 ng/ml vs.49.27±25.88 ng/ml, P<0.001). Receiver Operating Characteristic(ROC)curve analysis determined the optimal diagnostic threshold to be 80.08 ng/ml, with an area under the curve of 0.726, a sensitivity of 41.98%, and a specificity of 96.30% for detecting sarcopenia. Conclusions:Serum Dkk3 is closely associated with reduced muscle mass in the lower limbs and hips, as well as a decline in physical function, in elderly individuals with sarcopenia.Given its cost-effectiveness and clinical utility, serum Dkk3 shows potential as a meaningful biomarker for diagnosing sarcopenia in the elderly.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcoma resection combined with nephrectomy.Methods:The clinical data of 27 cases undergoing retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcoma resection combined with nephrectomy at the Gastrointestinal Tumor Center , Guangdong Provincial Hospital , Traditional Chinese Medicine from Jun 2017 to Aug 2022 were retrospectively analyzed for the indication of nephrectomy, postoperative progression of renal insufficiency and survival rate.Results:Twenty-six cases (96%) achieved R 0/R 1 resection and 1 case nderwent R 2 resection. Six cases underwent combined unilateral nephrectomy and 21 patients underwent combined multi-organ resection with a median number of resections of 4 (2,5). Postoperative pathology suggested that the combined resected kidney was positive for tumor infiltration in 17 cases. Five cases had Clavien-Dindo grade 3 or higher complications and no deaths occurred within 30 days after surgery. At the 90th day after surgery, 19 cases (70%) had decreased renal function ( Z=2.88, P=0.04), with a median decrease of -3.96 (-30.36, 0.31)ml·(min·1.73 m 2) -1, including 8 cases of preoperative Chronic Kidney Disease(CKD)1 stage progression (6 cases of CKD 2 stage, 2 cases of CKD 3 stage); 2 cases of CKD 2 stage progressed to CKD 3 stage; 1 case of preoperative CKD 3 stage progressed to CKD 4 stage. During the follow-up period of 3-38 months, no patient progressed to CKD 5 stage and no patient required dialysis treatment. Conclusion:Retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcoma resection combined with nephrectomy is safe and feasible while improving tumor radicality.

Objective:To explore the feasibility and value of performing a three-sided encapsulation procedure based on fascia anatomy in laparoscopic lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) for middle and low rectal cancer.Methods:This was a retrospective review. The study cohort comprised patients who met the diagnostic criteria for rectal cancer according to the Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer, had a short lymph node diameter of >5 mm on the lateral side within the 15 days before surgery, were evaluated as feasible candidates for laparoscopic total mesorectal excision+LLND surgery, had been diagnosed with low or intermediate level rectal cancer, and whose tumor was less than 8 cm away from the anal verge according to pathological examination of the operative specimen. Patients with a history of other malignant tumors of the abdomen or with incomplete follow-up data were excluded. Forty-two patients with middle and low rectal cancer who had undergone lateral lymph node dissection in diagnosis and treatment center of Gastrointestinal Cancer of Guangdong Hospital of Chinese Medicine from Jan.2018 to Dec.2022 were enrolled. There were 24 men (57.1%) and 18 women (42.9%) aged 58.4±11.8 years and the median BMI was 22.5 (19.3–24.1) kg/m 2. The main point of the three-sided encapsulation procedure is to expand the external side medial to the external iliac artery and vein, narrowing the range of exterior side dissection. The anterior-medial side is designed to expand the vesical fascia to define the range of anterior-medial side extension. The internal side is fully extended to the ureterohypogastric nerve fascia; the distal point of the caudal extension reaches the level of the Alcock canal and the bottom reaches the piriformis, enabling dissection of the obturator nerve and No.283 lymph nodes. No.263D lymph nodes are dissected by exposing the internal iliac artery and its branches, dissecting the group No.263P lymph nodes, and severing the inferior vesical artery. Finally, the lateral lymphatic tissue is completely resected. Relevant variables were recorded, including the number of lateral lymph nodes detected, the rate of lymph node metastasis, operation duration, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, postoperative hospital stay, and 3-year overall survival rate. Results:Laparoscopic surgery was successfully completed in all patients with no conversions to open surgery and no intraoperative complications. Twenty-seven (64.3%) of the study patients underwent left-sided LLND, 10 (23.8%) right-sided LLND, and five (11.9%) bilateral LLND, with lymph nodes cleared on both sides. All patients' lymph nodes were examined pathologically. A median of 17.0 (11.7, 26.0) lymph nodes was detected, the median of lateral lymph nodes being 5.0 (2.0, 10.2). The median operation time was 254.5 (199.0, 325.2) minutes. The median intra-operative blood loss was 50.0 (30.0, 100.0) mL. All patients were diagnosed with adenocarcinoma by pathological examination of the operative specimen. Two patients developed postoperative intestinal obstruction, one lymphatic leakage, and one a perineal incision infection. There were no cases of anastomotic leakage. The median postoperative hospital stay was 6.0 (5.0, 7.0) days and the median follow-up time 23.5 (9.0, 36.7) months. During follow-up, three patients (7.1%) died of tumor recurrence and metastasis. Two (4.8%) experienced mild urinary dysfunction, and one (2.4%) had moderate postoperative erectile dysfunction. One patient (2.4%) was found to have prostate and lung metastases 3 month after surgery. The 3-year overall survival rate was 74.4%.Conclusions:Three sided encapsulation is a safe and feasible procedure for LLND, achieving accurate and complete clearance of lateral lymphatic tissue.