Efficacy and safety of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in the elderly versus non-elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: insights from a systematic review.

This systematic review aimed to compare the influence of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) on the efficacy and safety of elderly patients with type 2 diabetes and younger individuals. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases was conducted up to September 2022. The summary standard means difference and odds ratios were calculated. Thirteen articles were included in the analysis. The incidence of adverse events (AEs) leading to discontinuation was higher in elderly patients (OR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.96, p = 0.028). However, no significant differences were observed in weight loss (SMD = 0.03, 95% CI -0.12 to 0.19, p = 0.686), HbA1c% (SMD = -0.02, 95% CI -0.11 to 0.08, p = 0.715), FBG levels (SMD = -0.03, 95% CI -0.11 to 0.06, p = 0.537), and the incidence of overall AEs (OR = 0.85, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.01, p = 0.072), serious AEs (OR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.45 to 1.04, p = 0.077), nausea (OR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.03, p = 0.140), vomiting (OR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.13, p = 0.532), diarrhea (OR = 0.86, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.02, p = 0.081), and hypoglycemia (OR = 1.22, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.65, p = 0.193). In conclusion, while certain AEs leading to discontinuation may be more prevalent in older patients, GLP-1RAs are effective for weight loss and lead to decreased glucose concentrations with a low rate of complications in elderly patients.

Gut microbiota dysbiosis contributes to depression-like behaviors via hippocampal NLRP3-mediated neuroinflammation in a postpartum depression mouse model.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a severe mental disorder that affects approximately 10---20% of women after childbirth. The precise mechanism underlying PPD pathogenesis remains elusive, thus limiting the development of therapeutics. Gut microbiota dysbiosis is considered to contribute to major depressive disorder. However, the associations between gut microbiota and PPD remain unanswered. Here, we established a mouse PPD model by sudden ovarian steroid withdrawal after hormone-simulated pseudopregnancy-human (HSP-H) in ovariectomy (OVX) mouse. Ovarian hormone withdrawal induced depression-like and anxiety-like behaviors and an altered gut microbiota composition. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from PPD mice to antibiotic cocktail-treated mice induced depression-like and anxiety-like behaviors and neuropathological changes in the hippocampus of the recipient mice. FMT from healthy mice to PPD mice attenuated the depression-like and anxiety-like behaviors as well as the inflammation mediated by the NOD-like receptor protein (NLRP)-3/caspase-1 signaling pathway both in the gut and the hippocampus, increased fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels and alleviated gut dysbiosis with increased SCFA-producing bacteria and reduced Akkermansia in the PPD mice. Also, downregulation of NLRP3 in the hippocampus mitigated depression-like behaviors in PPD mice and overexpression of NLRP3 in the hippocampal dentate gyrus induced depression-like behaviors in naïve female mice. Intriguingly, FMT from healthy mice failed to alleviate depression-like behaviors in PPD mice with NLRP3 overexpression in the hippocampus. Our results highlighted the NLRP3 inflammasome as a key component within the microbiota-gut-brain axis, suggesting that targeting the gut microbiota may be a therapeutic strategy for PPD.

Optimal flow of high-flow nasal cannula oxygenation to prevent desaturation during sedation for bronchoscopy: a randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Although high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygenation is currently recommended to prevent desaturation during sedation for bronchoscopy, there is no consensus on an optimal flow rate. OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal oxygen flow rate for HFNC to effectively prevent desaturation during sedation for bronchoscopy. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, and controlled study. METHODS: Patients (n = 240) scheduled for bronchoscopy were randomized to receive HFNC with propofol sedation (fraction of inspired oxygen, 100%) at one of six flow rates of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 L/min, designated as groups 1-6, respectively. RESULTS: The incidence of desaturation significantly decreased by increasing the oxygen flow rate (42.5%, 17.5%, 15%, 10%, 2.5%, and 0% for groups 1-6, respectively, p < 0.0001). The optimal oxygen flow rate for HFNC determined by probit regression to effectively prevent desaturation in 95% of patients was 43.20 (95% confidence interval, 36.43-55.96) L/min. The requirement for airway intervention was significantly decreased by increasing the oxygen flow rate. CONCLUSION: An HFNC flow rate of 50-60 L/min is recommended to prevent desaturation during sedation for bronchoscopy. REGISTRATION: NCT05298319 at ClinicalTrials.gov.

High-flow nasal cannula oxygenation during bronchoscopyMany patients undergo a special test to check their airways for problems. Sometimes, doctors need to take out a small part of the area that's causing trouble to find out what's wrong. But during this test, some patients can struggle to get enough oxygen, which can even be life-threatening. To help with this, there's a device called a high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC). It gives patients adjustable amounts of oxygen, like a gentle breeze into their nose. But doctors weren't sure how much oxygen was best during this test. So, we studied 240 patients using HFNC at different oxygen levels­like slow, medium, and fast flows. We found that the higher the oxygen flow, the less likely patients were to have oxygen problems. For example, at the lowest flow (10 liters per minute), about 42.5% of patients had oxygen trouble, but at the highest flow (60 liters per minute), none did. And we figured out that a flow rate around 43.2 liters per minute would prevent 95% patients from having oxygen problems. So, we recommend using a flow rate between 50 and 60 liters per minute during this test to keep patients safe from oxygen issues.

Impaired Sensitivity to Thyroid Hormone and Risk of Carotid Plaque Development in a Chinese Health Check-Up Population: A Large Sample Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: Previous research on the correlation between thyroid function and carotid plaque has revealed conflicting results, possibly attributable to the sensitivity of thyroid hormone indices. In this study, we aimed to analyze the association between thyroid hormone sensitivity indices and the risk of carotid plaque development in a Chinese health check-up population. Methods: A total of 19,388 health check-up subjects were included in this study (mean age: 50.78±10.17 years). Central sensitivity to thyroid hormone was evaluated using the thyroid feedback quantile-based index (TFQI), the Chinese-referenced parametric TFQI (PTFQI), the TSH index (TSHI), and the thyrotropin thyroxine resistance index (TT4RI), while peripheral sensitivity to thyroid hormone was assessed by free triiodothyronine/free thyroxine (FT3/FT4) ratio. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to detect the association between thyroid hormone sensitivity indices and carotid plaque risk, and subgroup analysis was also conducted to explore this association stratified by sex, age, obesity, and the status of smoking, drinking, diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia. Results: Among the 19,388 participants, 3753 (19.4%) had carotid plaque. In multivariable adjustment models, the risk of carotid plaque was positively associated with TSHI (odds ratio [OR]: 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18~1.28), TT4RI (OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.23~1.33), TFQI (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.02~1.10), and PTFQI (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.07~1.16), respectively. Conversely, the risk of carotid plaque was negatively correlated with FT3/FT4 (OR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.90~0.98). In stratified analyses, all thyroid hormone sensitivity indices significantly increased the risk of carotid plaque especially in females, subjects<65 years, non-obese individuals, and those without current smoking, drinking, diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia. Conclusion: In Chinese health check-up populations, a considerable connection between reduced sensitivity to thyroid hormones and carotid plaque has been observed, especially in females, those younger than 65 years, non-obese individuals, and those without any current smoking, drinking, diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidemia.

Propofol EC50 for inducing loss of consciousness in patients under combined epidural-general anesthesia or general anesthesia alone: a randomized double-blind study.

Background: Combined epidural-general anesthesia (GA + EA) has been recommended as a preferred technique for both thoracic and abdominal surgery. The epidural anesthesia on the general anesthetic (GA) requirements has not been well investigated. Therefore, we conducted the present study to explore the predicted effect-site concentration of propofol (Ceprop) required for achieving the loss of consciousness (LOC) in 50% of patients (EC50) with or without epidural anesthesia. Methods: Sixty patients scheduled for gastrectomy were randomized into the GA + EA group or GA alone group to receive general anesthesia alone. Ropivacaine 0.375% was used for epidural anesthesia to achieve a sensory level of T4 or above prior to the induction of general anesthesia. The EC50 of predicted Ceprop for LOC was determined by the up-down sequential method. The consumption of anesthetics, emergence time from anesthesia, and postoperative outcomes were also recorded and compared. Results: The EC50 of predicted Ceprop for LOC was lower in the GA + EA group than in the GA alone group [2.97 (95% CI: 2.63-3.31) vs. 3.36 (95% CI: 3.19-3.53) µg mL-1, (p = 0.036)]. The consumption of anesthetics was lower in the GA + EA group than in the GA alone group (propofol: 0.11 ± 0.02 vs. 0.13 ± 0.02 mg kg-1 min-1, p = 0.014; remifentanil: 0.08 ± 0.03 vs. 0.14 ± 0.04 µg kg-1 min-1, p < 0.001). The emergence time was shorter in the GA + EA group than in the GA alone group (16.0 vs. 20.5 min, p = 0.013). Conclusion: Concomitant epidural anesthesia reduced by 15% the EC50 of predicted Ceprop for LOC, decreased the consumptions of propofol and remifentanil during maintenance of anesthesia, and fastened recovery from anesthesia. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT05124704.

Incidence of oxygen desaturation using a high-flow nasal cannula versus a facemask during flexible bronchoscopy in patients at risk of hypoxemia: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), male sex, obesity, older age or hypertension are prone to hypoxemia during flexible bronchoscopy. This study investigated whether using a high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) could reduce the incidence of oxygen desaturation during bronchoscopy under deep sedation in patients at risk of hypoxemia. METHODS: A total of 176 patients at risk of hypoxemia who underwent flexible bronchoscopy under deep sedation were randomly assigned to two groups: the HFNC group (humidified oxygen was supplied via a high-flow nasal cannula at a rate of 60 L/min and a concentration of 100%, n = 87) and the facemask group (oxygen was supplied via a tight-fitting facemask at a rate of 6 L/min and a concentration of 100%, n = 89). RESULTS: Oxygen desaturation occurred in 4 (4.6%) patients in the HFNC group and 26 (29.2%) patients in the facemask group (P < 0.001). The facemask group required more jaw thrust manoeuvres than the HFNC group (43[48.3%] vs. 5[5.7%], P < 0.001). 8 patients (9.0%) in the facemask group and none in the HFNC group required bag-mask ventilation (P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: The use of an HFNC can reduce the incidence of oxygen desaturation and the requirement for airway intervention in patients at risk of hypoxemia during flexible bronchoscopy under deep sedation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.chiCTR.org.cn Identifier: ChiCTR2100044105. Registered 11/03/2021.

Whisker trimming induces anti-anxiety like status via activation of dorsomedial hypothalamus nucleus in mice.

Whiskers are highly developed tactile organs in mice. Here, we showed that mice with whisker trimming had a decreased anxiety behavior and activation of dorsomedial hypothalamus compared to control mice. Inhibition or damage of dorsomedial hypothalamus reversed the decrease of anxiety level induced by whisker trimming. These results expand the role of whiskers in regulating mouse behaviors to anxiety and suggest a novel function of dorsomedial hypothalamus. These findings indicate importance of normal sensory functions in modulating animal behavior.

Distinct trajectories of perinatal depression in Chinese women: application of latent growth mixture modelling.

BACKGROUND: Current research on perinatal depression rarely pays attention to the continuity and volatility of depression symptoms over time, which is very important for the early prediction and prognostic evaluation of perinatal depression. This study investigated the trajectories of perinatal depression symptoms and aimed to explore the factors related to these trajectories. METHODS: The study recruited 550 women during late pregnancy (32 ± 4 weeks of gestation) and followed them up 1 and 6 weeks postpartum. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Latent growth mixture modelling (LGMM) was used to identify trajectories of depressive symptoms during pregnancy. RESULTS: Two trajectories of perinatal depressive symptoms were identified: "decreasing" (n = 524, 95.3%) and "increasing" (n = 26, 4.7%). History of smoking, alcohol use and gestational hypertension increased the chance of belonging to the increasing trajectories, and a high level of social support was a protective factor for maintaining a decreasing trajectory. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified two trajectories of perinatal depression and the factors associated with each trajectory. Paying attention to these factors and providing necessary psychological support services during pregnancy would effectively reduce the incidence of perinatal depression and improve patient prognosis.

Smoking is a risk factor for postoperative ileus after radical resection in male patients.

ABSTRACT: Most smokers are males, and smoking has been indicated as a risk factor for many cancers as well as postoperative complications after cancer surgery. However, little is known about whether smoking is a risk factor for postoperative ileus (POI) after radical rectal cancer resection in males. The aim of this study was to assess whether smoking is a risk factor for POI after radical resection in male rectal cancer patients.Data of 1486 patients who underwent radical resection for rectal cancer were extracted from the clinical medical system in our hospital and were statistically analyzed. POI was defined as nausea, vomiting or pain, failure to have bowel function for more than 4 days postoperatively, and absence of a mechanical bowel obstruction.The rate of POI was 12.79%. Univariate analysis showed that patients in the POI group were more likely to have a history of smoking and drinking and receive intraperitoneal chemotherapy and had a larger intraperitoneal chemotherapy dosage. In the multivariable analysis, smoking remained significantly associated with a higher incidence of POI (OR 2.238, 95% CI [1.545-3.240], P = .000). The results also showed that patients who received postoperative patient-controlled intravenous analgesia had a lower incidence of POI.Male patients with a history of smoking who undergo elective radical resection for rectal cancer have an increased risk for POI complications.

Quantitative definitions of pain, CA19-9, and tumor size as high-risk features of resectable pancreatic cancer: a single-center retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of malignant tumors with the worst prognosis. Surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy are the main treatments for resectable pancreatic cancer. For borderline resectable PDAC, neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been advised. For clearly resectable PDAC, neoadjuvant chemotherapy also might be considered for the patients with high-risk features, but with no precise quantitative criteria to define these features. So, this study aimed to re-evaluate the relationship between high-risk features and prognosis of clearly resectable pancreatic cancer, and to define the precise criteria for these high-risk features. METHODS: Data from 211 patients with clearly resectable pancreatic cancer were reviewed to assess the relationship between overall survival (OS) after surgery and high-risk features, and cut-off values were determined for high-risk features that were associated with poor prognosis of clearly resectable pancreatic cancer. RESULTS: Lymph node metastasis (LNM), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and primary tumor size ≥6 cm were significant variables related to OS. CA19-9 ≥1,000 U/mL was statistically related to prognosis, as was CA19-9 ≥500 U/mL without obstructive jaundice. There was no significant relationship between abdominal and/or back pain and OS, but patients with moderate or severe pain accompanied by tumor size ≥4 cm or 10 times higher CA19-9 levels had worse prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: For clearly resectable pancreatic cancer with R0 resection, the high-risk features were clarified. Abdominal and/or back pain may not be used as a prognostic indicator alone, though combined with CA19-9 or tumor size it may be more valuable for predicting prognosis.

Risk factors for postpartum depression in Chinese women: A cross-sectional study at 6 weeks postpartum.

OBJECTIVE: Postpartum depression (PPD) has received increasing attention due to its harmful impacts and high incidence. PPD is affected by physiological and psychological factors, but the conclusions are not uniform at present, so this study explored the risk factors of postpartum depressive symptoms (PPDS) in Chinese population. METHODS: A total of 397 women attending the obstetric department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University participated in the questionnaire survey, mainly through a cross sectional study. At 6 weeks postpartum, the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to assess PPDS and sleep quality, respectively. RESULTS: The incidence of probable PPDS in our study population was 14.6% at 6 weeks postpartum. Women with blood group A had an almost 3-fold greater risk of PPDS than those with blood group B (OR [95% CI], 2.99 [1.43-6.28], p = 0.004). After adjusting for potential confounding variables, the blood group A phenotype was significantly more prevalent in women with PPDS compared to blood group B (OR [95% CI], 2.65 [1.23-5.70], p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to women with blood groups B, AB or O, women with blood group A had high odds of PPDS. If this result can be demonstrated and replicated in other populations, blood group A may be a useful predictor of risk for PPDS in Chinese postpartum women.

Sedation and Analgesia for Liver Cancer Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation: Fentanyl and Oxycodone Comparison.

Background: Sedation and analgesia use in percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFPA) for liver cancer is a necessary part of the procedure; however, the optimal medicine for sedation and analgesia for PRFA remains controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the perioperative pain management, haemodynamic stability and side effects between oxycodone (OXY) and fentanyl (FEN) use in patients under dexmedetomidine sedation. Methods: Two hundred and five adults with an American Society of Anaesthesiologists physical status score of I to II were included in this study. Patients were assigned to the OXY (n=101) or FEN (n=104) group. Radiofrequency ablation was performed under spontaneous breathing and with painless anaesthesia administered intravenously. The outcomes included fluctuations in mean arterial pressure, heart rate, side effects and the perioperative numerical rating scale (NRS). Results: Radiofrequency ablation was successfully performed in 205 patients. No significant differences were observed in mean blood pressure fluctuations between the two groups despite the longer durations of ablation and total sedation time in the OXY group. The highest NRS score during the surgery and 1 hour and 2 hours after the surgery were significantly lower in the OXY group than in the FEN group. Heart rate fluctuations were significantly lower in the OXY group than in FEN group throughout the surgery. More patients in the FEN group displayed unwanted body movement and respiratory depression. Conclusions: Both oxycodone and fentanyl can be applied for liver cancer percutaneous radiofrequency ablation; however, oxycodone provides a better patient experience, lower postoperative pain, less respiratory depression and stable haemodynamic fluctuations.

Impact of Combination Epidural and General Anesthesia on the Long-Term Survival of Gastric Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND Whether regional anesthesia is associated with tumor-free and long-term survival is controversial. Here, we focused on whether epidural anesthesia affects the long-term survival of gastric cancer patients after surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS We obtained the records of 273 patients undergoing gastric cancer surgery between August 2006 and December 2010. All patients received elective surgery, and the end-point was death. The general anesthesia group comprised 116 patients and the epidural-supplemented group comprised 157 patients. The results were analyzed using a multivariable model to determine the relationship between epidural use and long-term survival. RESULTS No obvious association was detected between epidural use and long-term survival according to the Cox model (P=0.522); the adjusted estimated hazard ratio was 0.919 (95% CI 0.71-1.19). However, according to Kaplan-Meier analysis, epidural anesthesia was associated with long-term survival among younger patients (age up to 64) (p=0.042, log-rank) (but not among older patients (p=0.203, log-rank). A lower American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class and less chemoradiotherapy exposure were also associated with a longer survival. However, advanced tumor stage still has a significant negative impact on survival. CONCLUSIONS No obvious difference was detected between the 2 anesthesia groups, but younger patients may benefit from epidural anesthesia.

[Crosslinking sodium hyaluronate gel with different ratio of molecular weight for subcutaneous injection: animal experimental study and clinical trials subcutaneous injection].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biocompatibility and degradation rate of crosslinking sodium hyaluronate gel with different ratio of molecular weight, so as to choose the effective, safe and totally degraded hyaluronate gel for aesthetic injection. METHODS: (1) Compound colloid was formed by cross-linking the divinyl sulphone and sodium hyaluronate with different molecular weight (4 x 10(5), 8 x 10(5), 10 x 10(5), 12 x 10(5)). (2) Healthy level KM mice was randomly divided into two groups to receive hyaluronic acid gel or liquid injection. Each group was subdivided into three subgroup to receive hyaluronic acid with different molecular weight. The biocompatibility and degradation rate, of hyaluronate were observed at 7, 90, 180 days after injection. At the same time, different molecular weight of sodium hyaluronate gel is sealed or exposed respectively under the low temperature preservation to observe its natural degradation rate. (3) The most stable colloid was selected as aesthetic injector for volunteers to observe the aesthetic effect. RESULTS: The sodium hyaluronate gel with molecular of 4 x 10(5) was completely degraded 90 days later. The sodium hyaluronate gel with molecular of 8 x 10(5) was completely degraded 180 days later. The sodium hyaluronate gel with molecular of 10 x 10(5) was degraded to 90.0% after 180 days. The sodium hyaluronate liquid can be degraded completely within 7 days. The colloid could be kept for at least 12 months when sealed under low temperature, but was totally degraded when exposed for I d. Sodium hyaluronate gel with molecular 10 x 10(5) was confirmed to be kept for at least 6 months in animal experiment and clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS: Under the same condition of material ratio, the higher the molecular weight is, the lower the degradation rate is. But the liquidity of gel is not good for injection when molecular weight is too large. It suggests that Sodium hyaluronate gel with molecular 10 x 10(5) maybe the best choice in cosmetic injections.

Ectopic thyroid mass in the left lateral neck and anterior mediastinum: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Ectopic thyroid is characterized by the presence of thyroid tissue in a site other than in its usual pretracheal region. It is a rare condition among the thyroid diseases. Dural ectopic thyroid present in the cervical and anterior mediastinal has not been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: A 45-year-old Chinese woman presented with a nonfunctional ectopic thyroid located both in the cervical and anterior mediastinum. The ectopic thyroid was removed under video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery using a transverse neck incision and her postoperative period has been uneventful thus far. CONCLUSIONS: Ectopic thyroid is a rare condition among the thyroid diseases, and its location in the anterior mediastinum is even more uncommon. Less than 15 cases have been reported in the last four decades. This is the first case of ectopic thyroid to appear in both the cervical and anterior mediastinum at same time. Masses in the anterior mediastinal are usually thymoma, lymphoma, pheochromocytoma and germ cell tumors. Ectopic thyroid in this area is quite rare so this case enhances our understanding of the diagnosis of mediastinal masses.