Objective:To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on tourniquet-induced hypertension (TIH) in the patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.Methods:Seventy-four patients of either sex, aged 18-60 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification I or II, with body mass index of 18-30 kg/m 2, undergoing elective anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction under general anesthesia combined with preoperative femoral nerve block, were divided into 2 groups ( n=37 each) using a random number table method: sham stimulation group (group SS) and group taVNS. Group SS received stimulation on the ear lobe and the tail of the helix of the left ear. Group taVNS received stimulation on the cymba concha and the earlobe of the left ear. Both groups received stimulation from 1 h before induction of anesthesia until the end of the procedure (frequency of 30 Hz, pulse width of 300 μs, and amplitude of the strongest current that could be tolerated by the patient in the absence of pain). The tourniquet inflation pressure was 280 mmHg, with an inflation time of 60-90 min. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were recorded before tourniquet inflation to assess the development of intraoperative TIH. The consumption of intraoperative propofol, remifentanil, nitroglycerin, esmolol, norepinephrine and atropine was recorded, and the occurrence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, skin itching and headache and dizziness was also recorded. Results:Compared with group SS, the incidence of TIH and the number of patients used nitroglycerin were significantly reduced ( P<0.05), and no significant changes were found in the other parameters in group taVNS ( P>0.05). Conclusions:taVNS can decrease the occurrence of TIH in the patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Objective:To investigate the application effect of production-oriented approach (POA) for consulting ability teaching in general practice standardized residency training.Methods:Eighteen third-year general practice residents in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University received a special training course on the consulting ability based on POA with the situational simulation teaching from September 2021 to March 2022. The consulting ability of residents was evaluated with Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and Leichester Assessment Package (LAP) before and after the training, and the results were compared. Meanwhile, a questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews were conducted to assess residents′ satisfaction with the course.Results:All 18 resident trainees (11 females and 7 males) aged 25 to 34 (27.3±2.4) years successfully completed the training. Both OSCE scores and LAP scores after the training were significantly higher than those before training (66.25±5.84 vs. 44.44±12.80, t=8.46, P<0.001; 65.78±7.05 vs. 38.33±14.2, t=1.47, P<0.001, respectively). The ability of medical history collection, physical examination, patient management, problem solving, doctor-patient relationship, preventive care and medical record writing were all significantly improved after the training compared with those before training ( t=2.464, 4.278, 8.997, 2.385, 10.35, 5.212, 7.578, all P<0.05). The questionnaire survey showed that all the 18 residents were satisfied with the reasonableness of the teaching content, the class time arrangement, the teaching progress arrangement and the instructors. In the dimension of training effectiveness, 18 participants all believed that the course was helpful to improve their humanistic quality and confidence in reception. In terms of self-promotion, all respondents believed that this course was able to promote their reflection ability and stimulate their learning interest. By coding and analyzing the contents of the semi-structured interviews with the residents, nine main themes were constructed, namely course deficiencies, course characteristics, course advantages, course suggestions, trainees′ deficiencies, trainees′ gains, trainees′ goals, previous teaching deficiencies, and instructor′s role. The results showed that all residents had a high degree of satisfaction with the course, and they thought the course was vivid and interesting and it is able to mobilize the enthusiasm of learning, promote learner to reflect. The residents also suggested to increase the teaching hours and to enrich teaching cases. Conclusion:The consulting ability training of general practice based on POA can effectively improve consulting ability, stimulate learning interest and improve independent learning ability of residents, which gains recognition from both faculty and trainees.

Objective To explore the efficacy of semaglutide in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)com-bined with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and its effect on oxidative stress and inflammatory factors.Methods Totally 80 patients with T2DM accompanied by NAFLD admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from July 2021 to December 2022 were selected and randomly assigned to the observation group and the control group,with 40 patients in each group.Patients in the control group were treated with pioglitazone metformin and dapagliflozin,while patients in the observation group were treated with pioglitazone metformin,dapagliflozin,and semaglutide.The levels of glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c),fasting blood glucose(FBG),2-hour postprandial blood glucose(2hPG),body mass,body mass index(BMI),waist circumference,alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),gamma-glutamyl transferase(GGT),controlled attenuation parameter(CAP),liver stiffness measurement(LSM),malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-PX),lipid peroxide(LPO),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6),and interleukin-10(IL-10)before and after the treatment were compared.Results After 24 weeks of treatment,the overall response rate(ORR)in the observation group and control group was 92.5％(37/40)and 72.5％(29/40),respectively;and the ORR in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group(x2=5.541,P＜0.05).Before treatment,there was no statistically significant difference in the body mass,BMI,waist circumference,HbA1c,FBG,2hPG,ALT,AST,GGT,CAP,LSM,MDA,GSH-PX,LPO,TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-10 of patients between the 2 groups(P＞0.05);after 24 weeks of treatment,the body mass,BMI,waist circumference,HbA1c,FBG,2hPG,ALT,AST,GGT,CAP,LSM,MDA,LPO,TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-10 were significantly lower than before treatment,while GSH-PX was significantly higher than before treatment(P＜0.05);after 24 weeks of treatment,the body mass,BMI,waist circumference,HbA1c,FBG,2hPG,ALT,AST,GGT,CAP,LSM,MDA,LPO,TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-10 of patients in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group,and GSH-PX was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group and the control group during the treatment period was 17.5％(7/40)and 12.5％(5/40),respectively;and the difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).Conclusion Semaglutide significantly downregulates the levels of FBG,2hPG and HbA1c in patients with T2DM combined with NAFLD and reduces the body mass,waist circumference,liver enzyme level,hepatic fat content,hepatic fibrosis,oxidative stress,and inflammatory indicators.

Objective To develope a clinical decision support system(CDSS)on insulin titration and validate its effectiveness and safety.Methods Eighty patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated at the Department of Endocrinology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from January 2021 to July 2023,who had difficulty in achieving glycemic control on the basis of lifestyle interventions and oral hypoglycemic drug treatments,were selected for the study.The patients were divided into the observation group and the control group using a random number table,with 40 cases in each group.Patients in both groups received oral metformin extended-release tablets,subcutaneous insulin degludec before bedtime,and subcutaneous aspartate insulin injection before three meals for glycemic control.Patients in the observation group were given insulin titration using the CDSS,and patients in the control group were given insulin titration using the conventional method.The retrospective continuous glucose monitoring system was used to monitor time in range(TIR)for glucose,mean amplitude of glycemic excursion(MAGE),mean blood glucose(MBG),standard deviation of blood glucose(SDBG),and the coefficient of variation(CV)of blood glucose.Fasting blood glucose(FBG),2-hour postprandial glucose(2hPG),length of hospitalization,time to achieve standard blood glucose control,and incidence of hypoglycemia of patients were recorded before and after treatment in the two groups.Results There was no significant difference in FBG and 2hPG of patients between the two groups before treat-ment(P＞0.05).The FBG and 2hPG levels of patients in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05).The FBG and 2hPG levels of patients in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group after treatment(P＜0.05).TIR of patients in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group,while MAGE,MBG,SDBG,and CV were significantly lower than those in the control group after treatment(P＜0.05).The length of hospitalization was 9.0(7.3,10.0)days and 11.0(8.3,12.0)days of patients in the observation group and control group,respectively;and the length of hospitalization of patients in the control group was significantly longer than that in the observation group(Z=-2.408,P＜0.05).The time required to achieve glycemic control was 6.5(5.0,8.8)days and 7.5(6.0,10.0)days of patients in the observation group and control group,respectively;and the time required to achieve glycemic control of patients in the control group was significantly longer than that in the observation group(Z=-2.019,P＜0.05).The incidence of hypoglycemia of patients in the observation group and control group was 20.0％(8/40),12.5％(5/40),respectively;there was no significant difference in the incidence of hypoglycemia between the observation group and the control group(x2=0.827,P＞0.05).Conclusion Compared with the conventional titration of insulin,the application of CDSS can provide decision support during the implementation of a basal-meal insulin regimen,which can lead to more effective glycemic control,improved glucose TIR,reduced glycemic fluctuations,shorter time required for patients to achieve glycemic control,and shorter hospital stays without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of short-chain fatty acids on microglial synapse engulfment in aged rats with postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD).Methods:Forty-eight healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 18 months, weighing 520-650 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), short-chain fatty acids group (group S), POCD group (group P), and POCD+ short-chain fatty acids group (group PS). Rats received short-chain fatty acids (sodium propionate 25.9 mmol/L, sodium butyrate 40 mmol/L and sodium acetate 67.5 mmol/L) in the free drinking water for 28 days in S and PS groups. On day 29, anesthesia was induced with 4%-5% sevoflurane and maintained with 3% sevoflurane, and the tibial fracture internal fixation was performed to prepare a rat model of POCD in P group and PS group. Morris water maze test was performed at day 7 after surgery. The escape latency, times of crossing the original platform, mean swimming speed and time spent in the original platform quadrant were recorded. The rats were sacrificed at the end of Morris water maze test, and the brains were collected to analyze the number and density of dendritic spines in the hippocampal CA1 region (by Golgi staining) and to determine the expression of postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95) and complement 1q (C1q) in the hippocampal CA1 region (by immunofluorescence). Results:Compared with group C, the times of crossing the original platform were significantly decreased, the time spent in the original platform quadrant was shortened, the escape latency was prolonged, the number and density of dendritic spines and the number of intersection points between dendrites and concentric circles were decreased, the expression of PSD95 was down-regulated, and the expression of C1q was up-regulated in P and PS groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group P, the times of crossing the original platform were significantly increased, the time spent in the original platform quadrant was prolonged, the escape latency was shortened, the number and density of dendritic spines and the number of intersection points between dendrites and concentric circles were increased, the expression of PSD-95 was up-regulated, and the expression of C1q was down-regulated in group PS ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which short-chain fatty acids attenuates POCD is related to decreased microglial engulfment of synapses in aged rats.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of pre-infusion of hypertonic saline on the postoperative cognitive function in elderly patients.Methods:This was a prospective study. Seventy-six patients of both sexes, aged≥60 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅱ or Ⅲ, who underwent elective shoulder arthroscopic surgery under brachial plexus block combined with general anesthesia from June 2022 to January 2023 in our hospital, were selected and divided into 2 groups ( n=38 each) by the random number table method: hypertonic saline group and normal saline group. At 30 min before anesthesia induction, 3% hypertonic saline of 4 ml/kg was intravenously infused in hypertonic saline group, and normal saline 4 ml/kg was intravenously infused in normal saline group. The occurrence of intraoperative cerebral desaturation events was recorded. Venous blood samples were collected at 24 h postoperatively, and the plasma concentrations of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and S-100β were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the expression of neutrophil CD11b was detected by flow cytometry. Rey auditory verbal learning test, trail making test, digit symbol substitution test, and stroop color-word test were performed at 1 day before surgery and 5 days after surgery, and the postoperative cognitive dysfunction was assessed using the Z-score method. Results:Compared with normal saline group, the concentrations of plasma IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and S-100β and expression of neutrophil CD11b were significantly decreased in hypertonic saline group, and the incidence of cognitive dysfunction and cerebral desaturation events was decreased in hypertonic saline group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Pre-infusion of hypertonic saline can reduce inflammatory responses and improve postoperative cognitive function in elderly patients.

Despite exciting achievements with some malignancies, immunotherapy for hypoimmunogenic cancers, especially glioblastoma (GBM), remains a formidable clinical challenge. Poor immunogenicity and deficient immune infiltrates are two major limitations to an effective cancer-specific immune response. Herein, we propose that an injectable signal-amplifying nanocomposite/hydrogel system consisting of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and imiquimod-loaded antigen-capturing nanoparticles can simultaneously amplify the chemotactic signal of antigen-presenting cells and the "danger" signal of GBM. We demonstrated the feasibility of this strategy in two scenarios of GBM. In the first scenario, we showed that this simultaneous amplification system, in conjunction with local chemotherapy, enhanced both the immunogenicity and immune infiltrates in a recurrent GBM model; thus, ultimately making a cold GBM hot and suppressing postoperative relapse. Encouraged by excellent efficacy, we further exploited this signal-amplifying system to improve the efficiency of vaccine lysate in the treatment of refractory multiple GBM, a disease with limited clinical treatment options. In general, this biomaterial-based immune signal amplification system represents a unique approach to restore GBM-specific immunity and may provide a beneficial preliminary treatment for other clinically refractory malignancies.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of esketamine on hippocampal neuronal necroptosis in aged rats with postoperative cognitive dysfunction.Methods:One hundred and twenty SPF-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 22 months, weighing 550-600 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=30 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), postoperative cognitive dysfunction group (group P), postoperative cognitive dysfunction+ esketamine group (group PE), and esketamine group (group CE). Rats received exploratory laparotomy under sevoflurane anesthesia, and esketamine 10 mg/kg and the equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride were intraperitoneally injected at the end of surgery once a day for 6 consecutive days in group P and group PE, respectively. Rats received no anesthesia and surgery, and esketamine 10 mg/kg and the equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride were intraperitoneally injected at the end of surgery once a day for 6 consecutive days in group CE and group C, respectively. Morris water maze test was performed at 7th day after surgery. The escape latency, times of crossing the original platform and time spent in the original platform quadrant were recorded. The rats were sacrificed at the end of Morris water maze test, and the hippocampal tissues were collected for determination of the rate of necroptosis and cytosolic Ca 2+ concentrations (by flow cytometry) and expression of mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), phosphorylated MLKL (p-MLKL), receptor-interacting protein kinase-3 (RIPK3), phosphorylated RIPK3 (p-RIPK3), receptor-interacting protein kinase-1 (RIPK1) and phosphorylated RIPK1 (p-RIPK1) (by Western blot). Results:Compared with group C, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the times of crossing the original platform were decreased, the time spent in the original platform quadrant was shortened, the necroptosis rate of hippocampal neurons and cytosolic Ca 2+ concentrations were increased, and the expression of MLKL, p-MLKL, RIPK3, p-RIPK3, RIPK1 and p-RIPK1 was up-regulated in group P and group PE ( P<0.05). Compared with group P, the escape latency was significantly shortened, the times of crossing the original platform were increased, the time spent in the original platform quadrant was prolonged, the necroptosis rate of hippocampal neurons and cytosolic Ca 2+ concentrations were decreased, and the expression of MLKL, p-MLKL, RIPK3, p-RIPK3, RIPK1 and p-RIPK1 was down-regulated in group PE ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which esketamine attenuates postoperative cognitive dysfunction may be related to inhibition of necroptosis in hippocampal neurons of aged rats.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of pre-injection of young rat plasma on cognitive dysfunction after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in aged rats and the role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/serine threonine protein kinase (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway.Methods:Seventy-two SPF-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 18 months, weighing 600-650 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=18 each) by the random number table method: control group (group C), cerebral I/R group (group IR), pre-injection of young rat plasma group (group P) and PI3K inhibitor LY294002 group (group LY). In group P and group LY, young rat plasma 100 μl/time was injected via the tail vein. In group C and group IR, the equal volume of normal saline was injected via the the tail vein, 2 times a week for 4 weeks. Then the model of cerebral I/R injury was developed under sevoflurane anesthesia in IR, P and LY groups. LY294002 0.3 mg/kg was injected through the tail vein at 1 h before anesthesia in LY group. The neurological deficit score (Longa score) was performed at 24 h after reperfusion, and then 6 rats were randomly sacrificed, and brain tissues were obtained to determine the cerebral infarct volume. Spontaneous mobility and anxiety-like behavior were assessed by the open field test at day 29 of reperfusion, and cognitive function was assessed by the novel object recognition test at day 30 of reperfusion. At the end of the behavioral test, rats were sacrificed, hippocampal tissues were isolated for determination of the expression of phosphorylated PI3K (p-PI3K), phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), postsynaptic dense protein-95 (PSD-95) and synaptic vesicle protein (SYN) (by Western blot), and the dendritic length and dendritic spine density of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region. Results:There was no significant difference in motor speed, distance traveled, and time of staying at the center of the open field among the four groups ( P>0.05). Compared with group C, the Longa score and cerebral infarct volume were significantly increased, the percentage of novel object exploration and discrimination index were decreased, the expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt, PSD-95 and SYN in hippocampal tissues was down-regulated, and the dendritic length and dendritic spine density of hippocampal neurons were decreased in IR, P and LY groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group IR, Longa score and cerebral infarct volume were significantly decreased, the percentage of novel object exploration and discrimination index were increased, the expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt, PSD-95 and SYN in hippocampal tissues was up-regulated, and the dendritic length and dendritic spine density of hippocampal neurons were increased in group P ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group LY ( P>0.05). Compared with group P, Longa score and cerebral infarct volume were significantly increased, the percentage of novel object exploration and discrimination index were decreased, the expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt, PSD-95 and SYN in hippocampal tissues was down-regulated, and the dendritic length and dendritic spine density of hippocampal neurons were decreased in group LY ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Pre-injection of young rat plasma can attenuate cognitive dysfunction after cerebral I/R in aged rats, and the mechanism is related to activation of hippocampal PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and improvement in synaptic plasticity.

Objective:To evaluate the role of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDA receptors) in sevoflurane anesthesia-caused necroptosis in hippocampal neurons of aged mice.Methods:Ninety clean-grade healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 18 months, weighing 27-30 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=30 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), sevoflurane anesthesia group (group S) and sevoflurane anesthesia plus NMDA receptor antagonist memantine hydrochloride group (group S+ M). Mice inhaled 3% sevoflurane for 2 h for 3 consecutive days in S group and S+ M group, and memantine hydrochloride 20 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 1 h before each inhalation of sevoflurane in S+ M group.Mice only inhaled pure oxygen for 2 h in group C. Ten mice of each group were selected on 1 day before anesthesia and 3 and 7 days after anesthesia to perform Morris water maze test.The mice were sacrificed immediately after Morris water maze test, and hippocampus was removed for microscopic examination of pathological changes (with a light microscope) and for determination of the necroptosis rate of neurons and cytoplasmic free calcium concentration([Ca 2+ ] i)(by flow cytometry), and expression of NMDA receptor subtypes GluN2A, GluN2B and receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIP1) (by Western blot). Results:Compared with group C, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, and the frequency of crossing the original platform was decreased, and the [Ca 2+ ] i and neuronal necroptosis rate in the hippocampus were increased at each time point after anesthesia, and the expression of GluN2A, GluN2B and RIP1 was up-regulated( P<0.05), and the pathologic changes were accentuated in S group and S+ M group.Compared with group S, the escape latency was significantly shortened, and the frequency of crossing the original platform was increased, and the [Ca 2+ ] i and neuronal necroptosis rate in the hippocampus were decreased at each time point after anesthesia, and the expression of GluN2A, GluN2B and RIP1 was down-regulated ( P<0.05), and the pathologic changes were attenuated in group S+ M. Conclusions:NMDA receptors are involved in the process of cognitive dysfunction induced by sevoflurane anesthesia in aged mice, and the mechanism may be related to the promotion of necrptosis in hippocampal neurons.