Objective To explore the effect of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)on gut microbiota and blood ammonia level in patients with decompensated cirrhosis,and to analyze the correlation between the gut microbiota and blood ammonia level.Methods From July 2021 to December 2023,the patients with decompensated cirrhosis and portal hypertension complicated by esophagogastric variceal bleeding and/or refractory ascites,who received TIPS at Zhuhai Hospital of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,were collected.The blood and stool samples were collected before and after TIPS.The changes in blood routine,prothrombin time,liver function,and blood ammonia level were determined.The change of gut microbiota was detected using 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing,and Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between the gut microbiota and blood ammonia level.Results In 20 patients,the post-TIPS one-month levels of AST,TBil,DBiL,PT,and blood ammonia were higher than their pre-TIPS values(P＜0.05),and the albumin(Alb)level was lower than the pre-TIPS value(P＜0.05).The post-TIPS 3-month levels of TBil,DBil,PT,and blood ammonia were higher than their pre-TIPS values(P＜0.05).One month after TIPS,the beta diversity of the gut microbiota became significantly different from the pre-TIPS pattern(P＜0.05).After TIPS,the harmful bacteria such as Veillonella,Streptococcus and Haemophilus were significantly reduced,the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The correlation analysis of gut microbiota and blood ammonia level showed that in T0 group Colidextribacter was positively correlated with blood ammonia level,while Roxobella was negatively correlated with blood ammonia level;and in T1 group,Colidextribacter and Streptococcus were positively correlated with blood ammonia level,while Coprococcus,Bifidobacterium and Parasutterella were negatively correlated with blood ammonia level,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion In patients with decompensated cirrhosis after receiving TIPS,significant changes in the pattern of gut microbiota occur.Certain correlations exist between the changes of some microbiota and blood ammonia levels.Regulating the intestinal microecology may contribute to reducing blood ammonia level after TIPS.

BACKGROUND:Studies have found that inhibition of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 improves myocardial function and promotes myocardial autophagy in sepsis,but the specific mechanism is not clear.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of inhibiting tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6-regulated mTORC1/ULK1 autophagy signaling pathway on myocardial injury in sepsis mice.METHODS:Thirty male Kunming mice were randomly divided into sham operation group,cecal ligation and puncture group(model group),model+tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 specific inhibitor C25-140(model+C)group,model+C25-140+autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine(model+C+3-MA)group,and model+C25-140+mTORC1-specific agonist MHY1485(model+C+M)group.The cecum of mice in the sham operation group was not ligated or punctured.The mice in the other groups underwent cecum ligation and puncture to establish the mouse sepsis model.C25-140,3-methyladenine,and MHY1485 were intraperitoneally injected 0.5 hours after surgery according to the grouping.Myocardial tissue was obtained 24 hours after surgery.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to evaluate myocardial inflammatory lesions.Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the changes in the autophagic bodies and mitochondrial microstructures of myocardial cells.TUNEL assay was used to detect myocardial cell apoptosis.PCR was used to detect the relative expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 mRNA.Western blot assay was used to detect the expression of related proteins.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with sham operation group,myocardial inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrous edema were observed in the model group.The mitochondria of the cells were obviously swollen,and autophagosomes were occasionally seen;cardiomyocyte apoptosis increased significantly;the expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6,phosphorylated nuclear factor κB P65/P65,p-mTOR/mTOR,p-ULK1/ULK1,P62 and Bax protein increased,and the expression of Bcl2 protein decreased(P＜0.05).(2)Compared with the model group,myocardial inflammation and fibrous edema were alleviated in the model+C group.Myocardial mitochondrial swelling was reduced and autophagosomes increased;cardiomyocyte apoptosis decreased;the expression of phosphorylated nuclear factor κB P65/nuclear factor-κB P65,p-mTOR/mTOR,p-ULK1/ULK1,P62,and Bax protein decreased,while the Beclin-1 and Bcl2 protein increased(P＜0.05).(3)Compared with the model+C group,myocardial autophagosomes decreased and myocardial mitochondrial swelling was more obvious in the model+C+3-MA group.Myocardial inflammation was aggravated;myocardial cell apoptosis increased;the expression of phosphorylated nuclear factor κB P65/nuclear factor κB P65,P62,and Bax protein increased,and the Beclin-1 and Bcl2 protein decreased(P＜0.05).(4)Compared with the model+C group,the expression of p-mTOR/mTOR and p-ULK1/ULK1 in the model+C+M group increased,and the Beclin-1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ protein expression decreased(P＜0.05).It is concluded that inhibition of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 regulates mTORC1/ULK1 autophagy signal to promote myocardial autophagy and participate in the protection of myocardial injury in sepsis.

Objective:To summarise the main points of operation during thyroid surgery using bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) with a domestic robot and to analyse the learning curve.Methods:From May. 2023 to Oct. 2023, we retrospectively analysed the clinical data of 38 patients who underwent thyroid surgery with domestically manufactured robot via BABA attending the Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery of the 960th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, proposed and constructed learning curves using cumulative and analytical methods to study the minimum number of learning cases required for the loading time of assistants and surgeon-in-charge with da Vinci surgical experience to transition from the initial learning stage to the proficiency stage. The age, BMI, surgical time (loading time, operating time), postoperative drainage time, and number of lymph nodes dissected were compared among patients at different stages of the learning curve.Results:A total of 38 thyroidectomy patients successfully underwent surgery, with an average surgical time of (176.61 ± 47.98) minutes. After 18 cases, the assistant's loading time shortened and stabilized at (42.20 ± 3.44) minutes. The operator reached peak proficiency at the 18th case (loading time, operating time), which was considered the dividing point between the learning phase and the proficiency phase. During the learning phase, the average surgical time was (209.72 ± 49.28) minutes, operation time: (165.44 ± 49.93) minutes, while in the proficiency phase, the average surgical time decreased to 146.80 ± 18.34 minutes, operation time: (104.60 ± 19.01) minutes. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics such as age, BMI, postoperative drainage time, or the number of central compartment lymph nodes dissected between the two phases ( P > 0.05) . Conclusion:Over the results of this study, it was shown that for robosurgeons with experience in da Vinci robotic surgery, the transition from the learning stage to the proficiency stage could be considered after crossing the learning curve for 18 cases, and that assistants could become proficient in loading techniques after 18 procedures.

Objective:To summarise the main points of operation during thyroid surgery using bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) with a domestic robot and to analyse the learning curve.Methods:From May. 2023 to Oct. 2023, we retrospectively analysed the clinical data of 38 patients who underwent thyroid surgery with domestically manufactured robot via BABA attending the Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery of the 960th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, proposed and constructed learning curves using cumulative and analytical methods to study the minimum number of learning cases required for the loading time of assistants and surgeon-in-charge with da Vinci surgical experience to transition from the initial learning stage to the proficiency stage. The age, BMI, surgical time (loading time, operating time), postoperative drainage time, and number of lymph nodes dissected were compared among patients at different stages of the learning curve.Results:A total of 38 thyroidectomy patients successfully underwent surgery, with an average surgical time of (176.61 ± 47.98) minutes. After 18 cases, the assistant's loading time shortened and stabilized at (42.20 ± 3.44) minutes. The operator reached peak proficiency at the 18th case (loading time, operating time), which was considered the dividing point between the learning phase and the proficiency phase. During the learning phase, the average surgical time was (209.72 ± 49.28) minutes, operation time: (165.44 ± 49.93) minutes, while in the proficiency phase, the average surgical time decreased to 146.80 ± 18.34 minutes, operation time: (104.60 ± 19.01) minutes. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics such as age, BMI, postoperative drainage time, or the number of central compartment lymph nodes dissected between the two phases ( P > 0.05) . Conclusion:Over the results of this study, it was shown that for robosurgeons with experience in da Vinci robotic surgery, the transition from the learning stage to the proficiency stage could be considered after crossing the learning curve for 18 cases, and that assistants could become proficient in loading techniques after 18 procedures.

BACKGROUND:Studies have found that inhibition of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 improves myocardial function and promotes myocardial autophagy in sepsis,but the specific mechanism is not clear.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of inhibiting tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6-regulated mTORC1/ULK1 autophagy signaling pathway on myocardial injury in sepsis mice.METHODS:Thirty male Kunming mice were randomly divided into sham operation group,cecal ligation and puncture group(model group),model+tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 specific inhibitor C25-140(model+C)group,model+C25-140+autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine(model+C+3-MA)group,and model+C25-140+mTORC1-specific agonist MHY1485(model+C+M)group.The cecum of mice in the sham operation group was not ligated or punctured.The mice in the other groups underwent cecum ligation and puncture to establish the mouse sepsis model.C25-140,3-methyladenine,and MHY1485 were intraperitoneally injected 0.5 hours after surgery according to the grouping.Myocardial tissue was obtained 24 hours after surgery.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to evaluate myocardial inflammatory lesions.Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the changes in the autophagic bodies and mitochondrial microstructures of myocardial cells.TUNEL assay was used to detect myocardial cell apoptosis.PCR was used to detect the relative expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 mRNA.Western blot assay was used to detect the expression of related proteins.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with sham operation group,myocardial inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrous edema were observed in the model group.The mitochondria of the cells were obviously swollen,and autophagosomes were occasionally seen;cardiomyocyte apoptosis increased significantly;the expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6,phosphorylated nuclear factor κB P65/P65,p-mTOR/mTOR,p-ULK1/ULK1,P62 and Bax protein increased,and the expression of Bcl2 protein decreased(P＜0.05).(2)Compared with the model group,myocardial inflammation and fibrous edema were alleviated in the model+C group.Myocardial mitochondrial swelling was reduced and autophagosomes increased;cardiomyocyte apoptosis decreased;the expression of phosphorylated nuclear factor κB P65/nuclear factor-κB P65,p-mTOR/mTOR,p-ULK1/ULK1,P62,and Bax protein decreased,while the Beclin-1 and Bcl2 protein increased(P＜0.05).(3)Compared with the model+C group,myocardial autophagosomes decreased and myocardial mitochondrial swelling was more obvious in the model+C+3-MA group.Myocardial inflammation was aggravated;myocardial cell apoptosis increased;the expression of phosphorylated nuclear factor κB P65/nuclear factor κB P65,P62,and Bax protein increased,and the Beclin-1 and Bcl2 protein decreased(P＜0.05).(4)Compared with the model+C group,the expression of p-mTOR/mTOR and p-ULK1/ULK1 in the model+C+M group increased,and the Beclin-1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ protein expression decreased(P＜0.05).It is concluded that inhibition of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 regulates mTORC1/ULK1 autophagy signal to promote myocardial autophagy and participate in the protection of myocardial injury in sepsis.

Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Constipation/therapy* ; Probiotics/therapeutic use* ; Patients

Objective : To investigate the possible mechanism of metformin (Met) -induced cardiomyocyte autoph- agy in protecting myocardial injury in septic mice． Methods : The model of myocardial injury in septic mice was es- tablished by cecal ligation and puncture ( CLP) ．Sixty Kunming mice were randomly divided into sham operation group (Sham group) ，model group ( CLP group) ，model + dimethyl sulfoxide ( DMSO) group ( CLP + DMSO group) ，model + metformin (Met) group (Met group) ，model + Met + 3-methyladenine (3-MA) group (Met + 3- MA group) ，model + Met + compound C ( CC) group (Met + CC group) ，with 10 mice in each group．The Met， Met + 3-MA and Met + CC groups were intraperitoneally injected with Met (200 mg / kg) once a day for 2 weeks be- fore modeling．The Met + 3-MA group was intraperitoneally injected with 3-MA ( 10 mg / kg) 1 h before surgery. The Met + CC group was intraperitoneally injected with CC (20 mg / kg) 30 min before surgery．The model was es- tablished 24 h after the last injection of Met．The heart and blood of all mice were collected 24 h after surgery．The Western blot technique was employed to assess the relative expression levels of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) isoforms，namely LC3 I and LC3 II，autophagy effector protein 1 (Beclin-1) ，ubiquitin-bind- ing protein 62 (p62) ，B-cell lymphoma / leukemia-2 (Bcl-2) ，Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) ，adenosine mono- phosphate (AMP) kinase (AMPK) and phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK) ．Myocardial pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining．The changes of myocardial mitochondria and autophagosomes were observed by electron microscopy．Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes of myocardium． Electron microscopy was used to observe the changes of myocardial mitochondria and autophago- somes. Results : Compared with Sham group，the relative protein expression of Beclin-1，p62，p-AMPK / AMPK and LC3 II / LC3 I in CLP and CLP + DMSO groups had no statistical significance，but Bax increased and Bcl-2 de- creased in CLP group (P＜0. 01) ．Compared with CLP group，the relative expression of Beclin-1 protein and LC3 II / LC3 I in Met group increased and p62 decreased (P＜0. 01) ，Bax decreased and Bcl-2 increased (P＜0. 01) . Compared with Met group，the relative protein expression of Beclin-1 and LC3 II / LC3 I in Met + 3-MA group de- creased and p62 increased (P＜0. 05) ，Bax increased and Bcl-2 decreased (P＜0. 05) ．Besides，the relative pro- tein expression of p-AMPK / AMPK in Met + CC group decreased (P＜0. 05) ．HE staining showed that there was no disorder in myocardial fibers in Sham group，and a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated the myocardial fibers of CLP group in a clear disorder．The Met group showed vacuolar changes in the myocardium，while the Met + 3-MA group showed disordered arrangement of myocardial fibers and a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltra- tion．Under electron microscopy，the morphology of myocardial mitochondria in the Sham group was normal，while in the CLP group，the arrangement of mitochondrial cristae was disordered with vacuolar changes，and occasional autophagosomes were observed．Mitochondria in Met group showed slight swelling and a large number of autophago- somes．The mitochondria in the Met + 3-MA group showed significant swelling with a small amount of autophago- somes． Conclusion The protective effect of metformin on myocardial injury in septic mice can reduce cardiomyo- cyte apoptosis and improve mitochondrial damage by activating AMPK signaling pathway to induce autophagy.

Objective To explore the effects of TRAF6 inhibition on autophagy,myocardial inflammation and cardiac function in septic mice.Methods Twenty-four male Kunming mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:sham,sham + C25-140(sham+C),cecal ligation and puncture(CLP),and cecal ligation and puncture+C25-140(CLP+C)group.Sham+C group and CLP+C group were intraperitoneally injected with C25-140 after operation.LVEF and LVFS were evaluated by ultrasound 24 hours after operation.Serum TNF-α and IL1-β were measured by ELISA.HE staining was used to evaluate myocardial inflammatory response.Autophagosomes and mitochondrial microstructure of cardiomyocytes were observed by transmission electron microscopy.TRAF6 mRNA in myocardial tissue was detected by qPCR.The expression of TRAF6,P62,Beclin-1 and LC3B protein was detected by W-B.The effect of C25-140 on myocardial injury in the septic mice was observed by inhibiting autophagy with 3-MA.Results Compared with the sham group,the levels of TRAF6 mRNA and TRAF6 in the myocardial tissue in the CLP group were significantly increased(P<0.05)and the serum TNF-α and IL1-β concentrations were signifi-cantly increased(P<0.05).Meanwhile,the myocardial tissue HE staining showed inflammatory cell infiltration and the LVEF and LVFS levels were significantly decreased in the CLP group(P<0.05).Compared with CLP group,the CLP+C group showed that the expression of TRAF6 mRNA and TRAF6 protein decreased(P<0.05),serum TNF-α and IL1-β decreased(P<0.05),myocardial histopathological myocardial inflammatory cell infiltration decreased,the LVEF and LVFS levels increased(P<0.05).Electron microscopy showed that the mitochondrial swelling decreased,autophagosomes increased,expression of Beclin-1 and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ increased,and P62 expression decreased(P<0.05).As compared with CLP+C group,the CLP+C+3-MA group showed that obvious inflamma-tory cell infiltration in the myocardial pathology and the LVEF and LVFS levels decreased after 3-MA inhibited autophagy(P<0.05).Conclusion Inhibition of TRAF6 can not only ameliorate myocardial inflammatory injury and cardiac dysfunction in septic mice,but promote the involvment of cardiomyocyte autophagy in provention from sepsis-induced myocardial injury.

BACKGROUND:Sepsis complicated by myocardial injury is characterized by a high mortality.Metformin can prevent sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction by exerting anti-inflammatory effects,improving oxidative stress,and reducing apoptosis.However,it is unclear whether metformin-induced autophagy plays an important role in the protective effect against sepsis-induced myocardial injury. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of metformin pretreatment on myocardial injury in septic mice. METHODS:A total of 40 male Kunming mice were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,metformin group,and metformin+ 3-methyladenine group,with 10 mice in each group.The latter two groups were intraperitoneally injected with metformin for 14 days at a fixed time every day,and the metformin+3-methyladenine group was intraperitoneally injected with 3-methyladenine 1 hour before modeling.Twenty-four hours after the last injection of metformin,cecal ligation and perforation were used to construct a model of myocardial injury in septic mice.The sham operation group was not ligated and perforated.All mice were sacrificed 24 hours after surgery,and blood and myocardial specimens were collected.The levels of inflammatory factors and myocardial injury markers in serum were detected by ELISA.The mRNA expression of autophagy markers LC3B and p62 in myocardial tissue was detected by RT-qPCR.The protein expression of LC3B,Beclin-1,p62,p-AMPK,and AMPK in myocardial tissue was detected by western blot.The pathological changes in myocardial tissue were detected by hematoxylin-eosin staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Autophagy was inhibited in septic mice with myocardial injury.Compared with the sham operation group,the levels of serum tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,creatine kinase isoenzyme,and troponin T were increased in the model group(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference in p62,LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ,and p-AMPK/AMPK between the two groups(P>0.05).Compared with the model group,the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-6,creatine kinase isoenzyme,troponin T,and p62 were decreased in the metformin group(P<0.05),while LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ,p-AMPK/AMPK and Beclin-1 level were increased(P<0.05).Compared with the metformin group,the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-6,creatine kinase isoenzyme,troponin T,and p62 were increased in the metformin+3-methyladenine group(P<0.05),while LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ and Beclin-1 level were decreased(P<0.05).Myocardial hematoxylin-eosin staining indicated that myocardial fibers arranged normally in the sham operation group,but disorderedly in the model group,with interstitial edema and a large number of infiltrated inflammatory cells.A small amount of vacuolar changes were observed in the metformin group.The arrangement of myocardial fibers in the metformin+3-methyladenine group was slightly disordered,with more vacuolar changes.To conclude,metformin pretreatment may reduce myocardial injury in septic mice by activating the AMPK signaling pathway and inducing autophagy.

With increasing age, more and more patients with posterior chamber intraocular lens (ICL) implantation are facing the threat of cataracts to their visual acuity.When examining the eyes of cataract patients after ICL surgery, attention should be paid to whether the density of corneal endothelial cells is greater than 2 000 cells/mm 2, the state of the anterior chamber angle, and whether there are fundus abnormalities such as retinal detachment and choroidal neovascularization.When conducting eye biometry measurement, attention should be paid to the measurement starting and ending lines of anterior chamber depth and lens thickness.If patients undergo ICL combined with corneal refractive surgery, they should be examined with two or more devices to obtain corneal refractive power according to the examination requirements after corneal laser vision correction.When selecting the type of intraocular lens, consideration should be given to the histological characteristics of high myopia.Compared to C- and L- loops, plate-haptic is relatively more stable in patients with high myopia accompanied by large capsules and larger diameters of continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis.Kane, Barrett Universal Ⅱ, Olsen, Hill-RBF formulas for calculating the refractive power of intraocular lenses are more accurate in people with long axial length.It is recommended to perform ICL removal simultaneously with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation, preferably with a surgical incision greater than 2.6 mm.Femtosecond laser assisted cataract extraction surgery, although superior to traditional phacoemulsification in reducing corneal endothelial cell loss, reducing corneal edema, and high-quality capsulorhexis, can cause incomplete capsulorhexis and fragmentation due to the cavitation bubbles, manual adjustment of location, and the impact of lower vault.It is recommended to use it with caution.Ophthalmologists should fully understand and pay attention to the characteristics and difficulties of cataract surgery after ICL surgery, communicate fully with patients, and make personalized surgery to achieve better visual outcomes.