BACKGROUND: Chronic liver disease (CLD), mainly non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a significant public health concern worldwide. This study aims to quantify the burden of NAFLD in CLD globally and within China, using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021, providing crucial insights for global and local health policies. METHODS: The study used comprehensive data from the GBD study 2021. It included estimates of prevalence, incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Age-standardized rates and average annual percent change (AAPC) from 2011 to 2021 were reported. A meticulous decomposition analysis was conducted. RESULTS: In 2021, there were 1582.5 million prevalent cases, 47.6 million incident cases, 1.4 million deaths, and 44.4 million DALYs attributable to CLD, globally. Among these, NAFLD has emerged as the predominant cause, accounting for 78.0% of all prevalent CLD cases (1234.7 million) and 87.2% of incident cases (41.5 million). Correspondingly, NAFLD had the highest age-standardized prevalence (15,017.5 per 100,000 population) and incidence (876.5 per 100,000 population) rates among CLDs. In addition, China's CLD age-standardized prevalence rate was 21,659.5 per 100,000 population, and the age-standardized incidence rate was 752.6 per 100,000 population, higher than the global average. From 2011 to 2021, the global prevalence rate of CLD increased slowly (AAPC = 0.17), consistent with the trend in China (AAPC = 0.23). Furthermore, the prevalence rate of NAFLD rose significantly in China (AAPC = 1.30) compared with the global average (AAPC = 0.91). Decomposition analysis also showed the worldwide increase in deaths and DALYs for NAFLD, which were primarily attributable to population growth and aging. CONCLUSIONS The burden of CLD and NAFLD remains substantial globally and within China in terms of high prevalence and incidence. As such, this underscores the need for targeted prevention and treatment strategies. These findings emphasize the importance of continued surveillance and research to mitigate the growing impact of liver diseases on global and Chinese health systems.
Humans ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/mortality* ; Global Burden of Disease ; China/epidemiology* ; Prevalence ; Male ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years ; Female ; Incidence ; Middle Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Adult ; Quality-Adjusted Life Years ; Liver Diseases/epidemiology* ; Aged

The present study aimed to explore whether hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) improved hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) in rats by inhibiting aerobic glycolysis-pyroptosis. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into normal group, normal+NaHS group, hypoxia group, and hypoxia+NaHS group, with 6 rats in each group. The control group rats were placed in a normoxic (21% O₂) environment and received daily intraperitoneal injections of an equal volume of normal saline. The normal+NaHS group rats were placed in a normoxic environment and intraperitoneally injected with 14 μmol/kg NaHS daily. The hypoxia group rats were placed in a hypoxia chamber, and the oxygen controller inside the chamber maintained the oxygen concentration at 9% to 10% by controlling the N₂ flow rate. An equal volume of normal saline was injected intraperitoneally every day. The hypoxia+NaHS group rats were also placed in an hypoxia chamber and intraperitoneally injected with 14 μmol/kg NaHS daily. After the completion of the four-week modeling, the mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) of each group was measured using right heart catheterization technique, and the right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI) was weighed and calculated. HE staining was used to observe pathological changes in lung tissue, Masson staining was used to observe fibrosis of lung tissue, and Western blot was used to detect protein expression levels of hexokinase 2 (HK2), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2 (PKM2), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), GSDMD-N-terminal domain (GSDMD-N), Caspase-1, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 in lung tissue. ELISA was used to detect contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in lung tissue. The results showed that, compared with the normal control group, there were no significant changes in all indexes in the normal+NaHS group, while the hypoxia group exhibited significantly increased mPAP and RVHI, thickened pulmonary vascular wall, narrowed lumen, increased collagen fibers, up-regulated expression levels of aerobic glycolysis-related proteins (HK2 and PKM2), up-regulated expression levels of pyroptosis-related proteins (NLRP3, GSDMD-N, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18), and increased contents of IL-1β and IL-18. These changes of the above indexes in the hypoxia group were significantly reversed by NaHS. These results suggest that H₂S can improve rat HPH by inhibiting aerobic glycolysis-pyroptosis.
Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/metabolism* ; Glycolysis/drug effects* ; Hydrogen Sulfide/therapeutic use* ; Hypoxia/complications* ; Rats ; Pyroptosis/drug effects*

The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of lung zinc ions to pathogenesis of lung ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group, lung I/R group (I/R group), lung I/R + low-dose zinc chloride group (LZnCl₂+I/R group), lung I/R + high-dose ZnCl₂ group (HZnCl₂+I/R group), lung I/R + medium-dose ZnCl₂ group (MZnCl₂+I/R group) and TPEN+MZnCl₂+I/R group (n = 8 in each group). Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to measure the concentration of zinc ions in lung tissue. The degree of lung tissue injury was analyzed by observing HE staining, alveolar damage index, lung wet/dry weight ratio and lung tissue gross changes. TUNEL staining was used to detect cellular apoptosis in lung tissue. Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to determine the protein expression levels of caspase-3 and ZIP8, as well as the mRNA expression levels of zinc transporters (ZIP, ZNT) in lung tissue. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of lung tissue was detected by JC-1 MMP detection kit. The results showed that, compared with the control group, the lung tissue damage, lung wet/dry weight ratio and alveolar damage index were significantly increased in the I/R group. And in the lung tissue, the concentration of Zn²⁺ was markedly decreased, while the cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 ratio and apoptotic levels were significantly increased. The expression levels of ZIP8 mRNA and protein were down-regulated significantly, while the mRNA expression of other zinc transporters remained unchanged. There was also a significant decrease in MMP. Compared with the I/R group, both MZnCl₂+I/R group and HZnCl₂+I/R group exhibited significantly reduced lung tissue injury, lung wet/dry weight ratio and alveolar damage index, increased Zn²⁺ concentration, decreased ratio of cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 and apoptosis, and up-regulated expression levels of ZIP8 mRNA and protein. In addition, the MMP was significantly increased in the lung tissue. Zn²⁺ chelating agent TPEN reversed the above-mentioned protective effects of medium-dose ZnCl₂ on the lung tissue in the I/R group. The aforementioned results suggest that exogenous administration of ZnCl₂ can improve lung I/R injury in rats.
Animals ; Reperfusion Injury/pathology* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Chlorides/administration & dosage* ; Lung/pathology* ; Zinc Compounds/administration & dosage* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; Cation Transport Proteins/metabolism*

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 construct a LASSO-logistic regression model for the risk of complications of cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR)based on clinical data and relevant parameters of external chest compression and to provide a reference for the prevention of com-plications of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.Methods One hundred cardiac arrest survivor patients admitted to Shijiazhuang Circular Chemical Industrial Park Hospital from April 2020 to May 2023 were selected and divided into complication and non-complication groups according to complications.The clinical data,chest compression-related parameters of the 2 groups were compared,and LASSO regression was used to initially screen the influencing factors of CPR complications.Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of CPR complications,and Nomogram was drawn to predict the risk of CPR complications.Results LASSO regression screening showed that the coefficients of body mass index,thoracic anteroposterior diameter,rescuer education level,and rescuer gender were compressed.When λ was 1.786,the number of influencing factors was minimized,and the model performance was excellent.At this time,seven predic-tive variables including rescuer identity,rescuer CPR training,application of air mattress,application of decompression pad,compression depth,compression duration,and strict control of fluid volume were selected to achieve the best selection of influencing factors.Logistic regression analysis showed that rescuer being a nurse,rescuer having received CPR training,application of air mattress bed,application of decompression pad,and strict control of fluid volume were related protective factors for CPR complications,while compression depth and compression duration were related risk factors for CPR complications(P＜0.05).The nomogram diagram of the logistic prediction model for CPR complication risk showed that its C-index was 0.932,indicating good discrimination,and the calibration curve fitted well with the ideal curve.The constructed prediction model had good consistency with the actual observed results.Conclusion CPR complications included sternal fractures,lung contusions,and rib fractures.The risk closely relates to the rescuer,the rescuer's CPR training,the appli-cation of air mattress bed,the application of decompression pad,the depth of compression,the duration of compression,and the strict con-trol of fluid volume.

With the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence(GAI)technologies,their widespread application in academic research and writing is continuously expanding the boundaries of sci-entific inquiry.However,this trend has also raised a series of ethical and regulatory challenges,inclu-ding issues related to authorship,content authenticity,citation accuracy,and accountability.In light of the growing involvement of AI in generating academic content,establishing an open,controllable,and trustworthy ethical governance framework has become a key task for safeguarding research integrity and maintaining trust within the academic community.This expert consensus outlines ethical requirements across key stages of AI-assisted academic writing-including topic selection,data management,citation practices,and authorship attribution.It aims to clarify the boundaries and ethical obligations surrounding AI use in academic writing,ensuring that technological tools enhance efficiency without compromising in-tegrity.The goal is to provide guidance and institutional support for building a responsible and sustainable research ecosystem.

Objective:To evaluate the survival benefit of surgical treatment for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.Methods:This study is conducted based on the hepatobiliary tumor registry database. From May 2009 to December 2022,a total of 704 patients who were initially diagnosed with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and underwent liver resection were consecutively enrolled at the Hepatobiliary Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Among them,there were 380 males and 324 females,aged ( M(IQR)) 61(15) years(range:27 to 88 years). Twenty-six (3.7%) patients received neoadjuvant therapy before surgery. The overall survival(OS) and disease-free survival(DFS) rates were estimated by life table method, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted. Log-rank test was used to compare the survival difference among tumor-node-metastasis(TNM) staging or three periods. The OS and DFS differences among lymph node groups or adjuvant treatment groups were quantified as HR with 95% CI estimated using Cox proportional-hazards model with adjustment for prognostic factors. Results:Among the 704 patients,349 cases(49.6%) underwent major hepatectomy (≥3 segments),331(47.0%) had lymph node resection during surgery,and 524 cases(74.4%) achieved R0 resection. The morbidity of Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅲ or higher complications was 16.5%(116/704),with a mortality rate of 3.0%(21/704) within 30 days post-surgery. The median OS time was 27.1 months, and the OS rates at 1-,3-,5- and 10-year were 69.1%, 42.4%,34.1% and 24.5%,respectively. The median DFS time was 10.5 months,and the corresponding DFS rates were 46.0%,25.4%,21.9% and 16.9%,respectively. According to the 8 th edition of AJCC staging system, the 5-year survival rates for ⅠA,ⅠB,Ⅱ,ⅢA,ⅢB and Ⅳ were 68.4%, 43.2%, 30.3%,32.2%,14.0% and 0,respectively. The corresponding DFS rates were 55.8%, 28.1%,13.8%,21.2%,3.3% and 0,respectively. There were no statistically significant differences of OS or DFS between stage ⅠB and Ⅱ, stage ⅠB and ⅢA, or between stage Ⅱ and ⅢA(Log-rank test:all P>0.05),while there were significant differences of OS and DFS among other stages(Log-rank test:all P<0.05). Using Cox model with adjustment for prognostic factors, there were no statistically significant differences of OS and DFS between non-lymphadenectomy group or the biopsy-N0 group and dissection-N0 group(both P>0.05). However,the overall and disease-free survival of the biopsy-N1 group or dissection-N1 group were worse than those of dissection-N0 group(both P<0.05),with overall survival being better in dissection-N1 group than biopsy-N1 group( P=0.017). Overall survival in the period from 2019 to 2022 were significantly superior to that during the periods from 2009 to 2013 and 2014 to 2018(both P<0.01). Adjusting for prognostic factors, the disease-free and overall survival of the postoperative adjuvant therapy group were significantly better than those of the observation group in the period 2019 to 2022(both P<0.01). Conclusions:Surgery remains a milestone for achieving long-term survival for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Regional lymph node dissection is required for patients with lymph node metastasis. Adjuvant therapy can significantly reduce tumor recurrence and prolong overall survival.

AIM:This study aimed to confirm the glycolytic inhibitory activity of 3-bromopyruvic acid(3BP)and to assess whether this inhibition could ameliorate hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats.METHODS:PAH model rats were generated from normal SD rats via exposure to normal pressure and hypoxia.Intervention groups I and II(6 rats per group)were then intraperitoneally injected with 3BP(15 mg/kg),and the normal and hypoxia groups(6 rats per group)were given the same amount of normal saline for a total of 21 d.The average pulmonary artery pressure of the rats in each group was measured via right heart catheterisation,and hilar tissue measurements.The right ventricle(RV),left ventricle,and interventricular septum(LV+S)were weighed,and the ratio of RV/(LV+S)was calculated as an index of right ventricular hypertrophy.Right lower lung tissues were fixed in 4%paraformaldehyde-PBS buffer,sec-tioned in conventional paraffin(5 μm thick),stained with HE and Masson,photographed under a microscope.Then the thickness ratio of the tunica media and the area ratio of collagen fibres were calculated.The expression of pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2(PKM2),nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),and pyruvate de-hydrogenase(PDH)proteins in the hilar tissues of each group were detected by western blot,whereas interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-18 contents were detected using ELISA,and lactic acid content was detected using a lactic acid kit.RE-SULTS:The results showed that 3-brpa effectively inhibited glycolysis and significantly improved hypoxia-induced pulmo-nary hypertension in rats.Compared with the hypoxia group,in intervention group II,PKM2 expression was decreased(P<0.05),PDH expression increased significantly(P<0.01),and NLRP3 expression was decreased(P<0.05).The IL-18 and IL-1β contents decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01,respectively).Pulmonary hemodynamic indexes showed that the pro-portion of the right ventricle and the mean pressure of the pulmonary artery decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01,respectively).The HE and Masson staining results showed that the thickness ratio of the tunica media and the area ratio of collagen fibres decreased significantly(P<0.01).Lactic acid content was significantly decreased(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:This study showed that 3BP can inhibit glycolysis and alleviate hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats.

Objective To establish a stable,reliable,and clinically relevant porcine model of endotoxin-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).Methods Ten 8-month-old male Bama minipigs were deeply sedated,followed by invasive mechanical ventilation and electrocardiographic monitoring.Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)was intravenously pumped at 600 μg/(kg·h)for 3 hours,then maintained at 15 μg/(kg·h)thereafter.Dynamic monitoring was performed at five time points after LPS injection(LPS 0,1,3,5,and 8 h),including arterial blood gas analysis and chest computed tomography(CT)scans.Pathological examination of lung tissues obtained via bronchoscopic biopsy(HE staining and transmission electron microscopy)was conducted.These indicators were comprehensively used to evaluate the success of the animal model.Results At 5 hours after LPS administration,8 minipigs developed symptoms such as skin cyanosis,elevated body temperature,and respiratory distress.The oxygenation index decreased to<300 mmHg.Chest CT scans showed diffuse pulmonary infiltrates.Histopathology revealed alveolar edema and hyaline membrane formation.Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated disruption of pulmonary blood-air barrier,depletion of lamellar bodies in type Ⅱ pneumocytes,inflammatory cell infiltration,and exudation of plasma proteins and fibrin.Compared with LPS 0 h,at LPS 8 h,the oxygenation index and arterial blood pH were significantly decreased(P<0.001),while blood lactic acid and serum potassium were significantly increased(P<0.05);serum calcium and base excess were significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the lung injury score based on HE-stained lung sections was significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion The porcine ARDS model established by continuous LPS injection can dynamically simulate the pathophysiological characteristics and typical pathological manifestations of clinical septic ARDS,making it an effective tool to study the pathogenesis,prevention,and treatment strategies of septic ARDS.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of reconstruction of the degloving injury of thumb and finger with free perforator flap of superficial peroneal artery.Methods:This is a retrospective study. From June 2020 to June 2023, 18 superficial peroneal artery perforator flaps from 14 calves were used to treat 15 degloved digital wounds of 14 patients in the Department of Hand Surgery, Suzhou Ruihua Orthopaedic Hospital. There were 13 single digital degloving wounds and 1 two-digital degloving wounds. Of which, 3 digits were reconstructed with 2 free perforator flaps of ipsilateral superficial peroneal artery and 12 with a single free perforator flap of superficial peroneal artery. The size of wounds was 4.0 cm×2.0 cm-10.0 cm×4.0 cm, and the flaps were 5.0 cm×3.0 cm-12.0 cm×4.0 cm in size. The donor sites in calves were sutured layer by layer with absorptive sutures. Postoperative follow-ups were conducted through regular outpatient visits, phone calls or WeChat. Survival of flaps, postoperative complications, therapeutic effect of the flaps and patient satisfaction were observed.Results:There was no vascular compromise or wound infection of the flaps. All patients were included in the 4 to 36 months of postoperative follow-up, with an average of 9.86 months. All flaps had good appearance, without obvious swelling. Colour and texture of the flaps was close to the surrounding skin. The flaps had no obvious pigmentation or ulcer and scar hyperplasia at recipient site. Sensation of the flaps recovered to S 2 to S 3. There was no obvious scar hyperplasia, pain or dysfunction at donor sites. According to the comprehensive evaluation scale of flap, the scores were found at 81 to 91, with an average score of 85 in the 14 patients, and of whom 2 were excellent and 12 were good. Patient satisfaction was evaluated according to the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) and 10 patients were very satisfied and 4 were satisfied. Conclusion:Free perforator flap of superficial peroneal artery is one of the ideal flaps in reconstruction of degloving injury of thumb and fingers. It features constant and multiple perforators, reliable blood supply, high survival rate, flexible in design, thin and a small damage to the donor site.