Rationale: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a serious acute condition affecting the abdomen and shows high morbidity and mortality rates. Its global incidence has increased in recent years. Inflammation and oxidative stress are potential therapeutic targets for AP. This study was conducted to investigate the intrinsic anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of Prussian blue nanozyme (PBzyme) on AP, along with its underlying mechanism.

Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) results in increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and arterial stiffness; however, the association between adipocytokines and IMT/arterial stiffness in OSA patients is unclear. Methods: We enrolled 95 normal weight and overweight, not obese, participants from May 2018 to December 2018 in this study. All subjects underwent a carotid artery ultrasound examination and polysomnography. Blood samples were used to determine serum chemerin, adiponectin, SFRP5, and apelin levels. Correlations between two quantitative variables were assessed using the Pearson or Spearman coefficient. Stepwise models of multiple linear regression analysis were performed to assess the independent relationships. Result: IMT in OSA patients was significantly higher than in the non-snorers. There were significant differences in the arterial stiffness parameters such as distensibility coefficient (DC), compliance coefficient (CC), and pulse wave velocity (PWV). SFRP5 level was lower in OSA patients than in non-snorers. Adiponectin correlated with CC, DC, and PWV among OSA patients; however, the relationship disappeared after a multivariable adjustment. Age was independently associated with all quantitative IMT and stiffness indices. AHI and minimum oxygen saturation (Mini SaO₂) were independently related to arterial stiffness. Conclusion: The quantitative IMT and carotid arterial elasticity were significantly worse among OSA patients. Age was the main independent factor correlated with quantitative IMT and arterial stiffness, and AHI and mini SaO₂ were associated factors. There were no relationships between aforementioned adipocytokines and quantitative IMT/carotid arterial stiffness.

Background: Adequate graft size and length are crucial factors in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Accurate identification of patients who may be at risk for an insufficient length or size of the hamstring tendon (HT) can aid surgeons in preoperative planning. Purpose: To evaluate whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound could more accurately predict the size of the semitendinosus tendon (ST) and gracilis tendon (GT) and to investigate the correlation between anthropometry, graft size, and imaging measurements to find a predictive formula. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Included in the study were 36 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with HT autograft at our institution between July 2021 and May 2022. Anthropometric data and MRI and ultrasound measurements were collected preoperatively. The length and diameter of the HT were recorded intraoperatively. Correlations between anthropometry, graft size, and imaging measurements were analyzed. Linear regression analysis was performed to construct a prediction formula. Results: The intraoperative graft diameters of the ST and GT were weakly to moderately associated with their cross-sectional areas as measured by MRI and ultrasound. MRI and ultrasound interpreted 11.9% to 15.7% and 18.4% to 41.7% of the variation in the graft diameter of the HT, with an accuracy of 50.0% to 55.6% and 69.4% to 86.1%, respectively. The intraoperative lengths of the ST and GT were both associated with patient height and tendon lengths as measured by ultrasound. Additionally, intraoperative GT length was associated with patient weight. Four formulas combining relevant anthropometric parameters and imaging measurements were calculated from multilinear regression analysis, explaining up to 46.3% of the variance in the size of HT. Conclusion: Ultrasound and MRI alone showed limited ability to predict the graft diameter of the ST and GT, while ultrasound could more accurately predict the graft size than MRI. Among the different anthropometric variables, height was the most influential in predicting tendon length.

Background/Objectives: Pain-induced vasoconstriction and thrombosis cause vascular insufficiency, a major etiology of early necrosis in replanted digits. While systemic intravenous analgesia (SIVA) carries significant side effects, continuous brachial plexus block (CBPB) provides analgesia with vasodilation. Amidst uncertainties regarding distal vascular recanalization and sympathetic denervation, whether CBPB’s hemodynamic effects translate into improved perfusion and outcomes in replanted digits remains unknown. This randomized controlled trial compared the effects of CBPB versus SIVA on digit perfusion, vascular insufficiency, and survival rates post-replantation. Methods: After screening 113 patients, 55 patients (71 digits) were ultimately randomized and analyzed: the CBPB group (n = 27, 36 digits) received 0.2% ropivacaine infusion at 5 mL/h; the SIVA group (n = 28, 35 digits) received intravenous parecoxib 20 mg twice daily with supplemental tramadol for visual analog scale (VAS) scores > 3. The primary outcome was digital skin temperature trajectory measured at 0, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included Doppler-quantified combined volumetric flow rate of the radial and ulnar arteries (RA-UA VFR) at identical timepoints, VAS scores, vascular insufficiency incidence, and 7-day digit survival. Results: CBPB significantly enhanced perfusion in replanted digits at all postoperative timepoints, with digital skin temperature peaking at 48 h (32 ± 1.6 °C vs. 31 ± 1.1 °C; p < 0.001) and RA-UA VFR peaking at 24 h (4.0 ± 0.83 vs. 1.8 ± 0.51 mL/s; p < 0.001) versus SIVA. Concurrently, CBPB provided superior analgesia (VAS 0.52 ± 0.51 vs. 1.9 ± 1.0; p < 0.001) and significantly reduced 48-h vascular insufficiency incidence (8.3% vs. 29%; p = 0.028). No significant difference was observed in seven-day survival rates between groups (97% vs. 91%; p = 0.329). Conclusions: CBPB significantly enhanced perfusion in replanted digits and reduced the incidence of vascular insufficiency, despite not conferring additional survival benefits.

Background: Although the relationship betweendeqisensations and curative effect has always been controversial,deqisensations has been regarded as the key indicator of clinical efficacy of acupuncture therapy. There is little evidence for standardization or visualization of the mechanism of acupuncture’s therapeutic effect. This trial aims to evaluate the effect of needling at Zusanli (ST36) on antral contraction function as visualized by ultrasound.Methods: This is a two-arm, single-blind, randomized, controlled trial. A total of 116 acupuncture-naïve healthy subjects will be randomly allocated to the acupuncture group or sham acupuncture group in a 1:1 ratio. Participants in the acupuncture group will receive manual acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) with the needling depth at crural interosseous membrane. Those in the sham acupuncture group will be given penetrating needling depth at the superficial fascia layer. The primary outcome will be the changes in antral contraction frequency (ACF) before and after acupuncture. The secondary outcomes will be the changes in the thermal infrared spectrum of gastric area skin, the antral contraction amplitude (ACA), the antral movement index (AMI), and the scores on the Chinese version of Massachusetts General Hospital Acupuncture Sensation Scale (C-MASS). The adverse events will be evaluated and recorded in detail.Discussion: This study may provide visual and objective evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of manual acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36). In addition, the results of this study will help to identify the role of Zusanli (ST36)in the inducingdeqi.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial RegistryChiCTR2000040686. Registered on 8 December 2020