BACKGROUND:With the increasing demand for orthopedic implants,the search for materials with good biocompatibility and degradability has become a research hotspot.Magnesium-lithium-gadolinium(Mg-Li-Gd)alloy has good degradability,biocompatibility,and mechanical properties,providing ideal supporting conditions for fracture healing.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effects of Mg-Li-Gd alloy implants on bone healing in rats.METHODS:A circular half-defect model was made on the lateral side of the right mid-femoral segment in 28 SD rats,and the rats were randomly divided into two groups.The stainless steel group was fixed with a stainless steel intramedullary nail,and the magnesium alloy group was fixed with an Mg-Li-Gd alloy intramedullary nail,with 14 rats in each group.At 2,8,and 14 weeks after surgery,right femur X-ray and Micro-CT examinations,as well as hematoxylin-eosin staining,immunohistochemical staining,and western blot assay were performed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)X-ray film:At 2 weeks after surgery,the osteotomy lines of both groups were clear,the density of the intramedullary nail in the magnesium alloy group was close to that of bone tissue,and the density of the intramedullary nail in the stainless steel group was higher than that of bone tissue.At 8 weeks after surgery,the osteotomy lines of both groups were blurred,and the intramedullary nail in the magnesium alloy group had corroded and degraded.At 14 weeks after surgery,the osteotomy lines of both groups disappeared,and the intramedullary nail in the magnesium alloy group further corroded and degraded.(2)Micro-CT:At 2 weeks after surgery,callus began to form in both groups;8 weeks after surgery,the stainless steel group entered the callus remodeling stage,and a relatively dense bone structure was formed at the bone defect site,and the magnesium alloy group showed obvious callus hyperplasia at the bone defect site.At 14 weeks after surgery,the stainless steel group showed a mature bone remodeling process,and thick cortical bone was formed at the bone defect site,and thinner cortical bone was formed in the magnesium alloy group.(3)Hematoxylin-eosin staining:At 2 weeks after surgery,a large number of osteoblasts,osteocytes,a small number of osteoclasts and trabecular structures were observed in the magnesium alloy group,while relatively few osteoblasts and osteocytes were observed in the stainless steel group.At 8 weeks after surgery,a large number of osteoblasts,osteocytes,and mature trabecular structures were observed in the magnesium alloy group,while a large number of osteocytes and lamellar bones were observed in the stainless steel group.At 14 weeks after surgery,lamellar bones were observed in the magnesium alloy group,while mature bone tissue was observed in the stainless steel group.(4)Immunohistochemical staining and western blot assay:At the same time point,the expression levels of bone morphogenetic protein 2,osteocalcin,and RUNX2 proteins in the magnesium alloy group were higher than those in the stainless steel group.(5)The results showed that compared with stainless steel materials,Mg-Li-Gd alloy had no obvious advantage in promoting the formation of fracture healing structure.

Objective To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine(Dex)on bone loss in tail-suspended rats and primarily explore its regulatory mechanism on bone metabolism.Methods A total of 30 male rats were randomly divided into a control group,a model group,and a Dex group,with 10 animals in each group.Rat model of osteoporosis was established by hind limb suspension for 4 weeks.Dex at a dose of 10 μg/kg was given intraperitoneally,once every other day from the day of tail suspension.And equal amount of normal saline was given to the control and model group.Bone histological staining was used to observe the trabecular bone area fraction.Biomechanical three-point bending test was employed to measure the maximum load,stiffness,and fracture energy.Dual calcein/alizarin red fluorescence labeling and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP)staining were applied respectively to detect the mineral apposition rate and bone formation rate as well as the number of osteoclasts on bone surfaces.Secondly,after primary osteoblasts were isolated from the tibiae of tail-suspended rats and then treated with 1 nmol/L Dex,the proportion of alkaline phosphatase(ALP)-positive osteoblasts and the activity of the enzyme were detected by ALP staining and activity test.qRT-PCR was applied to measure the expression of osteogenic activity-related factors,including osteocalcin(Ocn),Runt related transcription factor 2(Runx2),Osterix protein(Osx),and type 1 collagen(Col1).Results The animal experiments revealed that Dex treatment significantly increased the tibial trabecular bone area fraction,inhibited the decrease in bone mechanical strength,and enhanced the mineralization deposition rate and new bone formation rate of trabecular bone in the tail-suspended rats(all P＜0.001).The in vitro experiments showed that Dex treatment obviously improved ALP activity and the number of ALP-positive osteoblasts in primary osteoblasts isolated from tail-suspended rats(P＜0.01),and up-regulated the expression levels of osteogenic differentiation-related genes,such as Ocn,Runx2,Osx and Col1(P＜0.01).Conclusion Dex exerts anti-bone loss effect in tail-suspended rats,which may be associated with its stimulation on osteoblast-mediated bone formation.

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of simultaneous use of three endoscopes(laparoscope,choledochoscope,and duodenoscope)combined with holmium laser in the treatment of gallstones complicated with common bile duct stones.Methods A prospective randomized controlled study was carried out.A total of 80 patients with cholecystolithiasis combined with choledocholithiasis in our hospital from August 2022 to January 2024 were selected and divided into three-endoscope group(n=40)and two-endoscope group(n=40)according to random number table method.Patients in the three-endoscope group underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC)and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration(LCBDE)combined with holmium laser lithotripsy,primary closure of the common bile duct,endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP),and endoscopic nasobiliary drainage(ENBD),while the two-endoscope group underwent LC+LCBDE+T-tube drainage.The intraoperative bleeding volume,operation time,hospitalization time,hospitalization costs,and postoperative complications between the two groups were observed and analyzed.Results There was no significant difference in intraoperative bleeding volume between the two groups[(55.6±14.3)ml vs.(53.2±16.3)ml,t=0.703,P=0.484].The operation time of the three-endoscope group was significantly longer than that in the two-endoscope group[214.5(171.5,246.8)min vs.178.0(151.0,227.8)min,Z=-2.069,P=0.039].The length of hospital stay in the three-endoscope group was significantly shorter than that in the two-endoscope group[(13.2±3.3)d vs.(16.2±3.7)d,t=3.864,P=0.001].The hospitalization costs were significantly higher in the three-endoscope group than those in the two-endoscope group[39 316.0(32 338.5,43 421.0)yuan vs.33 717.0(30 873.3,37 813.3)yuan,Z=-3.272,P=0.001].There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative pancreatitis[2.5%(1/40)vs.2.5%(1/40),χ2=0.000,P=1.000],the incidence of bile leakage[7.5%(3/40)vs.2.5%(1/40),χ2=0.263,P=0.615],and residual stone rate[7.5%(3/40)vs.0.0%(0/40),P=0.241]between the two groups.Forty cases in the three-endoscope group were followed up for 2-20 months,with a median of 13 months.One case of stone recurrence occurred at 8 months after surgery.Forty patients in the two-endoscope group were followed up for 1-21 months,with a median of 15 months.There was 1 case of stone recurrence at 6 and 10 months postoperatively,respectively.There was no statistically significant difference in stone recurrence rate between the two groups[2.5%(1/40)vs.5.0%(2/40),χ2=0.000,P=1.000].Conclusions LC+LCBDE combined with holmium laser lithotripsy,primary closure of the common bile duct,ERCP,and ENBD in the treatment of cholecystolithiasis and choledocholithiasis can shorten the hospitalization time.The replacement of T-tube with nasobiliary duct protects the function of the Oddi sphincter,which is more in line with the concept of minimally invasive surgery and worthy of clinical application.

Objective:To explore the prognostic differences between liver resection and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) complicated by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to identify independent risk factors affecting patient survival.Methods:The clinical and follow-up data of 103 patients with stage Ⅰa-Ⅲa BCS complicated by HCC treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from Aug 2015 to Sep 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Patients were divided into two groups based on their initial treatment choices: the liver resection group ( n=20) and the TACE group ( n=83). Before propensity score matching(PSM), the median overall survival in the liver resection group was 42 months longer than in the TACE group (74 months vs. 32 months, P=0.002). After PSM, the median overall survival remained significantly longer in the liver resection group by 39 months (74 months vs. 35 months, P=0.032). In terms of disease-free survival, before PSM, the liver resection group was 30-month longer than the TACE group (42 months vs. 12 months, P=0.001). After PSM, the difference in median disease-free survival between the two groups was 23 months (35 months vs. 12 months, P=0.018). Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified treatment modality and maximum tumor diameter as independent risk factors for overall survival, while treatment modality was the only independent factor for disease-free survival. Conclusions:Liver resection significantly prolongs both overall survival and disease-free survival in resectable HCC in BCS patients compared to TACE. Treatment modality and tumor size are key prognostic factors influencing overall survival.

Objective:To investigate the effects of pulsed electromagnetic field(PEMF)on sevoflurane-induced cognitive dysfunction in elderly rats and also explore its related mechanism.Methods:Thirty elderly male rats were randomly divided into the control group,sevoflurane treatment group(SEV),and sevoflurane+PEMF treatment group(SEV+PEMF).Rats in the sevoflurane group and sevoflurane+PEMF group passively inhaled 2.5％sevoflurane for 4 h,while rats in the SEV+PEMF group were stimulated with 2 mT,15 Hz PEMF for 14 d(2 h/day).The cognitive function of rats was evaluated via the Morris water maze testing.The serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1 β(IL-1β),IL-6,neuron specific enolase(NSE),and β amyloid protein(Aβ),as well as the levels of nerve growth factor(NGF)and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)in hippocampal tissue,were de-termined via ELISA.Western blot was used to detect the expression of autophagy-related biomarkers in rat hippocampal tissue.Secondly,30 elderly male rats were randomly divided into three groups:SEV group,SEV+PEMF group,and SEV+3-MA(the autophagy inhibitor)+PEMF group.The Morris water maze experiment was used to evaluate the change of PEMF-induced improvement of cognitive function sevoflurane-inhaled elderly rats following the autophagy inhi-bition.Results:PEMF inhibited sevoflurane-induced increase in escape latency and overall swimming distance,as well as the decrease in the number of crossing target quadrant(P＜0.05);PEMF decreased the levels of serum Aβ and NSE in elderly rats inhaled with sevoflurane(P＜0.05),decreased the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6(P＜0.05),increased the levels of NGF and BDNF in hippocampal tissue(P＜0.05),inhibited neuronal apoptosis in hip-pocampal tissue and increased its autophagy level(P＜0.05).Following inhibition of autophagy with 3-MA,the im-provement of PEMF on the decreased learning and memory ability induced by sevoflurane in elderly rats was significantly inhibited(P＜0.05).Conclusion:PEMF can effectively inhibit sevoflurane-induced cognitive dysfunction in elderly rats by regulating the autophagy of hippocampal neuronal cells.

BACKGROUND:With the increasing demand for orthopedic implants,the search for materials with good biocompatibility and degradability has become a research hotspot.Magnesium-lithium-gadolinium(Mg-Li-Gd)alloy has good degradability,biocompatibility,and mechanical properties,providing ideal supporting conditions for fracture healing.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effects of Mg-Li-Gd alloy implants on bone healing in rats.METHODS:A circular half-defect model was made on the lateral side of the right mid-femoral segment in 28 SD rats,and the rats were randomly divided into two groups.The stainless steel group was fixed with a stainless steel intramedullary nail,and the magnesium alloy group was fixed with an Mg-Li-Gd alloy intramedullary nail,with 14 rats in each group.At 2,8,and 14 weeks after surgery,right femur X-ray and Micro-CT examinations,as well as hematoxylin-eosin staining,immunohistochemical staining,and western blot assay were performed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)X-ray film:At 2 weeks after surgery,the osteotomy lines of both groups were clear,the density of the intramedullary nail in the magnesium alloy group was close to that of bone tissue,and the density of the intramedullary nail in the stainless steel group was higher than that of bone tissue.At 8 weeks after surgery,the osteotomy lines of both groups were blurred,and the intramedullary nail in the magnesium alloy group had corroded and degraded.At 14 weeks after surgery,the osteotomy lines of both groups disappeared,and the intramedullary nail in the magnesium alloy group further corroded and degraded.(2)Micro-CT:At 2 weeks after surgery,callus began to form in both groups;8 weeks after surgery,the stainless steel group entered the callus remodeling stage,and a relatively dense bone structure was formed at the bone defect site,and the magnesium alloy group showed obvious callus hyperplasia at the bone defect site.At 14 weeks after surgery,the stainless steel group showed a mature bone remodeling process,and thick cortical bone was formed at the bone defect site,and thinner cortical bone was formed in the magnesium alloy group.(3)Hematoxylin-eosin staining:At 2 weeks after surgery,a large number of osteoblasts,osteocytes,a small number of osteoclasts and trabecular structures were observed in the magnesium alloy group,while relatively few osteoblasts and osteocytes were observed in the stainless steel group.At 8 weeks after surgery,a large number of osteoblasts,osteocytes,and mature trabecular structures were observed in the magnesium alloy group,while a large number of osteocytes and lamellar bones were observed in the stainless steel group.At 14 weeks after surgery,lamellar bones were observed in the magnesium alloy group,while mature bone tissue was observed in the stainless steel group.(4)Immunohistochemical staining and western blot assay:At the same time point,the expression levels of bone morphogenetic protein 2,osteocalcin,and RUNX2 proteins in the magnesium alloy group were higher than those in the stainless steel group.(5)The results showed that compared with stainless steel materials,Mg-Li-Gd alloy had no obvious advantage in promoting the formation of fracture healing structure.

Objective:To investigate the effects of pulsed electromagnetic field(PEMF)on sevoflurane-induced cognitive dysfunction in elderly rats and also explore its related mechanism.Methods:Thirty elderly male rats were randomly divided into the control group,sevoflurane treatment group(SEV),and sevoflurane+PEMF treatment group(SEV+PEMF).Rats in the sevoflurane group and sevoflurane+PEMF group passively inhaled 2.5％sevoflurane for 4 h,while rats in the SEV+PEMF group were stimulated with 2 mT,15 Hz PEMF for 14 d(2 h/day).The cognitive function of rats was evaluated via the Morris water maze testing.The serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1 β(IL-1β),IL-6,neuron specific enolase(NSE),and β amyloid protein(Aβ),as well as the levels of nerve growth factor(NGF)and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)in hippocampal tissue,were de-termined via ELISA.Western blot was used to detect the expression of autophagy-related biomarkers in rat hippocampal tissue.Secondly,30 elderly male rats were randomly divided into three groups:SEV group,SEV+PEMF group,and SEV+3-MA(the autophagy inhibitor)+PEMF group.The Morris water maze experiment was used to evaluate the change of PEMF-induced improvement of cognitive function sevoflurane-inhaled elderly rats following the autophagy inhi-bition.Results:PEMF inhibited sevoflurane-induced increase in escape latency and overall swimming distance,as well as the decrease in the number of crossing target quadrant(P＜0.05);PEMF decreased the levels of serum Aβ and NSE in elderly rats inhaled with sevoflurane(P＜0.05),decreased the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6(P＜0.05),increased the levels of NGF and BDNF in hippocampal tissue(P＜0.05),inhibited neuronal apoptosis in hip-pocampal tissue and increased its autophagy level(P＜0.05).Following inhibition of autophagy with 3-MA,the im-provement of PEMF on the decreased learning and memory ability induced by sevoflurane in elderly rats was significantly inhibited(P＜0.05).Conclusion:PEMF can effectively inhibit sevoflurane-induced cognitive dysfunction in elderly rats by regulating the autophagy of hippocampal neuronal cells.

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of simultaneous use of three endoscopes(laparoscope,choledochoscope,and duodenoscope)combined with holmium laser in the treatment of gallstones complicated with common bile duct stones.Methods A prospective randomized controlled study was carried out.A total of 80 patients with cholecystolithiasis combined with choledocholithiasis in our hospital from August 2022 to January 2024 were selected and divided into three-endoscope group(n=40)and two-endoscope group(n=40)according to random number table method.Patients in the three-endoscope group underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC)and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration(LCBDE)combined with holmium laser lithotripsy,primary closure of the common bile duct,endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP),and endoscopic nasobiliary drainage(ENBD),while the two-endoscope group underwent LC+LCBDE+T-tube drainage.The intraoperative bleeding volume,operation time,hospitalization time,hospitalization costs,and postoperative complications between the two groups were observed and analyzed.Results There was no significant difference in intraoperative bleeding volume between the two groups[(55.6±14.3)ml vs.(53.2±16.3)ml,t=0.703,P=0.484].The operation time of the three-endoscope group was significantly longer than that in the two-endoscope group[214.5(171.5,246.8)min vs.178.0(151.0,227.8)min,Z=-2.069,P=0.039].The length of hospital stay in the three-endoscope group was significantly shorter than that in the two-endoscope group[(13.2±3.3)d vs.(16.2±3.7)d,t=3.864,P=0.001].The hospitalization costs were significantly higher in the three-endoscope group than those in the two-endoscope group[39 316.0(32 338.5,43 421.0)yuan vs.33 717.0(30 873.3,37 813.3)yuan,Z=-3.272,P=0.001].There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative pancreatitis[2.5%(1/40)vs.2.5%(1/40),χ2=0.000,P=1.000],the incidence of bile leakage[7.5%(3/40)vs.2.5%(1/40),χ2=0.263,P=0.615],and residual stone rate[7.5%(3/40)vs.0.0%(0/40),P=0.241]between the two groups.Forty cases in the three-endoscope group were followed up for 2-20 months,with a median of 13 months.One case of stone recurrence occurred at 8 months after surgery.Forty patients in the two-endoscope group were followed up for 1-21 months,with a median of 15 months.There was 1 case of stone recurrence at 6 and 10 months postoperatively,respectively.There was no statistically significant difference in stone recurrence rate between the two groups[2.5%(1/40)vs.5.0%(2/40),χ2=0.000,P=1.000].Conclusions LC+LCBDE combined with holmium laser lithotripsy,primary closure of the common bile duct,ERCP,and ENBD in the treatment of cholecystolithiasis and choledocholithiasis can shorten the hospitalization time.The replacement of T-tube with nasobiliary duct protects the function of the Oddi sphincter,which is more in line with the concept of minimally invasive surgery and worthy of clinical application.

Objective:To explore the prognostic differences between liver resection and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) complicated by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to identify independent risk factors affecting patient survival.Methods:The clinical and follow-up data of 103 patients with stage Ⅰa-Ⅲa BCS complicated by HCC treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from Aug 2015 to Sep 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Patients were divided into two groups based on their initial treatment choices: the liver resection group ( n=20) and the TACE group ( n=83). Before propensity score matching(PSM), the median overall survival in the liver resection group was 42 months longer than in the TACE group (74 months vs. 32 months, P=0.002). After PSM, the median overall survival remained significantly longer in the liver resection group by 39 months (74 months vs. 35 months, P=0.032). In terms of disease-free survival, before PSM, the liver resection group was 30-month longer than the TACE group (42 months vs. 12 months, P=0.001). After PSM, the difference in median disease-free survival between the two groups was 23 months (35 months vs. 12 months, P=0.018). Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified treatment modality and maximum tumor diameter as independent risk factors for overall survival, while treatment modality was the only independent factor for disease-free survival. Conclusions:Liver resection significantly prolongs both overall survival and disease-free survival in resectable HCC in BCS patients compared to TACE. Treatment modality and tumor size are key prognostic factors influencing overall survival.

Objective:To explore the risk factors of short-term prognosis of severe Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) patients,established and verified the nomogram prediction model for these BCS patients and evaluated its clinical application value.Methods:This study is a retrospective cohort study. The clinical data of 171 patients with severe BCS diagnosed were retrospectively analyzed in the Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2018 to December 2023. There were 105 males and 66 females, aged (52.1±12.8) years (range: 18 to 79 years). The patients were divided into two groups based on whether they died within 28 days: the death group ( n=38) and the survival group ( n=133). The risk factors for short-term death of patients were analyzed,and independent risk factors were screened by univariate and multivariate analysis. Furthermore,these factors were used to establish the nomogram prediction model. The area under the curve(AUC),the Bootstrap Resampling,the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and the Decision Curve Analysis(DCA) were used to verify the model′s differentiation,internal verification,calibration degree and clinical effectiveness,respectively. Results:Univariate and multivariate Logistics regression analysis showed that the history of hepatic encephalopathy,white blood cell,glomerular filtration rate and prothrombin time were independent risk factors ( P<0.05). The above factors were used to successfully establish the prediction model with 0.908 of AUC and 0.895 of the internal verification of AUC,indicating that the predictive model was valuable. The 0.663 P-values in the Hosmer-Lemeshow test indicated the high calibration degree of the model. The clinical effectiveness of the model was proved by the 18% clinical benefit population using the DCA curve with the 17% probability threshold. Conclusions:The independent risk factors are the history of hepatic encephalopathy,white blood cell,glomerular filtration rate and prothrombin time. An adequate basis was acquired by establishing a nomogram prediction model of the short-term prognosis of severe BCS,which was helpful for early clinical screening and identification of high-risk patients with severe BCS who could die in the short term and timely providing timely intervention measures for improving the prognosis.