1.Hyperoside Alleviates LPS-induced Inflammation in Zebrafish Model via TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Pathway
Qing LAN ; Anna WANG ; Feifei ZHOU ; Keqian LIU ; Zhao LI ; Wenjing YU ; Shuyao TANG ; Ping LI ; Shaowu CHENG ; Sisi DENG ; Zhenyan SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):63-72
ObjectiveTo investigate the intervention effects and mechanisms of the flavonoid hyperoside (Hyp) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in the zebrafish model. MethodsZebrafish larvae were either microinjected with 0.5 g·L-1 LPS or immersed in 1 g·L-1 LPS for the modeling of inflammation. The larvae were then treated with Hyp at 25, 50, and 100 mg·L-1 through immersion for four consecutive days. The inflammatory phenotypes were assessed by analyzing the mortality rate, malformation rate, body length, and yolk sac area ratio. Behavioral tests were conducted to evaluate the inflammatory stress responses, and macrophage migration was observed by fluorescence microscopy. Additionally, the mRNA levels of inflammation-related genes, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2), chemokine C-X3-C motif receptor 1 (CX3CR1), chemokine C-C motif receptor 2 (CCR2), and genes associated with the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway, were measured by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR). ResultsCompared with the pure water injection group, the model group exhibited increased mortality, malformation rates and yolk sac area ratio (P0.01), reduced body length (P0.01), increased total swimming distance and high-speed swimming duration (P0.01), and up-regulated mRNA levels of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, IL-1β, IL-6, CCL2, CX3CR1, and CCR2 (P0.01). Hyp at low, medium and high doses, as well as aspirin, reduced the mortality and malformation rates (P0.05,P0.01), increased the body length (P0.05,P0.01), decreased the yolk sac area ratio (P0.01), reduced the high-speed swimming duration (P0.01), and down-regulated the mRNA levels of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, IL-1β, IL-6, CCL2, CX3CR1, and CCR2 (P0.05,P0.01) compared with the model group. ConclusionHyp may modulate the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway to ameliorate inflammatory phenotypes and alleviate stress conditions in zebrafish, thereby exerting the anti-inflammatory effect.
2.Transzonal Projections and Follicular Development Abnormalities in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Di CHENG ; Yu-Hua CHEN ; Xia-Ping JIANG ; Lan-Yu LI ; Yi TAN ; Ming LI ; Zhong-Cheng MO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(10):2499-2511
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder affecting a substantial proportion of women of reproductive age. It is frequently associated with ovulatory dysfunction, infertility, and an increased risk of chronic metabolic diseases. A hallmark pathological feature of PCOS is the arrest of follicular development, closely linked to impaired intercellular communication between the oocyte and surrounding granulosa cells. Transzonal projections (TZPs) are specialized cytoplasmic extensions derived from granulosa cells that penetrate the zona pellucida to establish direct contact with the oocyte. These structures serve as essential conduits for the transfer of metabolites, signaling molecules (e.g., cAMP, cGMP), and regulatory factors (e.g., microRNAs, growth differentiation factors), thereby maintaining meiotic arrest, facilitating metabolic cooperation, and supporting gene expression regulation in the oocyte. The proper formation and maintenance of TZPs depend on the cytoskeletal integrity of granulosa cells and the regulated expression of key connexins, particularly CX37 and CX43. Recent studies have revealed that in PCOS, TZPs exhibit significant structural and functional abnormalities. Contributing factors—such as hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and dysregulation of critical signaling pathways (including PI3K/Akt, Wnt/β‑catenin, and MAPK/ERK)—collectively impair TZP integrity and reduce their formation. This disruption in granulosa-oocyte communication compromises oocyte quality and contributes to follicular arrest and anovulation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of TZP biology, including their formation mechanisms, molecular composition, and stage-specific dynamics during folliculogenesis. We highlight the pathological alterations in TZPs observed in PCOS and elucidate how endocrine and metabolic disturbances—particularly androgen excess and hyperinsulinemia—downregulate CX43 expression and impair gap junction function, thereby exacerbating ovarian microenvironmental dysfunction. Furthermore, we explore emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at preserving or restoring TZP integrity. Anti-androgen therapies (e.g., spironolactone, flutamide), insulin sensitizers (e.g., metformin), and GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., liraglutide) have shown potential in modulating connexin expression and enhancing granulosa-oocyte communication. In addition, agents such as melatonin, AMPK activators, and GDF9/BMP15 analogs may promote TZP formation and improve oocyte competence. Advanced technologies, including ovarian organoid models and CRISPR-based gene editing, offer promising platforms for studying TZP regulation and developing targeted interventions. In summary, TZPs are indispensable for maintaining follicular homeostasis, and their disruption plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of PCOS-related folliculogenesis failure. Targeting TZP integrity represents a promising therapeutic avenue in PCOS management and warrants further mechanistic and translational investigation.
3.Development of DUS testing guidelines for new Atractylodes lancea varieties.
Cheng-Cai ZHANG ; Ming QIN ; Xiu-Zhi GUO ; Zi-Hua ZHANG ; Hao-Kuan ZHANG ; Xiao-Yu DAI ; Sheng WANG ; Lan-Ping GUO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(6):1515-1523
Atractylodes lancea is a perennial herbaceous plant of Asteraceae, with rhizomes for medical use. However, A. lancea plants from different habitats have great variability, and the germplasm resources of A. lancea are unclear and mixed during production. Therefore, it is urgent to protect new varieties of A. lancea. The distinctness, uniformity, and stability(DUS) testing of new plant varieties is the foundation of plant variety protection, and the DUS testing guidelines are the technical basis for variety approval agencies to conduct DUS testing. In this study, the phenotypic traits of 94 germplasm accessions of A. lancea were investigated considering the breeding and variety characteristics of A. lancea in China. The traits were classified and described, and 24 traits were preliminarily determined, including 20 basic traits that must be tested and four traits selected to be tested. The 20 basic traits included 3 quality traits, 5 false quality traits, and 12 quantitative traits, corresponding to 1 plant traits, 2 stem traits, 8 leaf traits, 6 flower traits, and 3 seed traits. The measurement ranges and coefficients of variation of eight quantitative traits were determined, on the basis of which the grading criteria and codes of the traits were determined and assigned. The guidelines has guiding significance for the trait evaluation, utilization, and breeding of new varieties of A. lancea.
Atractylodes/growth & development*
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China
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Phenotype
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Guidelines as Topic
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Plant Breeding
4.Optimal harvesting period of cultivated Notopterygium incisum based on HPLC specific chromatogram combined with chemometrics and entropy weight-gray correlation analysis.
Jing-Cheng WANG ; Hong-Bing SUN ; Teng LIU ; Wen-Tao ZHU ; Hong-Lan WANG ; Yi ZHOU ; Wei-Yan WANG ; Ping YANG ; Shun-Yuan JIANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(14):3878-3886
To determine the optimal cultivation duration and harvest period for cultivated Notopterygium incisum and promote its industrial development, this study established a characteristic chromatographic profile of cultivated N. incisum and employed chemometrics combined with entropy-weighted grey correlation analysis to assess differences in agronomic traits and quality indicators across different cultivation years and harvest periods. By comparing with reference substances, ten common peaks were identified, including chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, marmesinin, nodakenin, isochlorogenic acid B, notopterol, phenethyl ferulate, isoimperatorin, and falcarindiol. The similarity between the characteristic chromatographic profiles of N. incisum at different cultivation years and the reference profile was all above 0.932. Principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) revealed that the quality of 1-to 3-year-old cultivated N. incisum was highly dispersed and unstable, whereas the quality of 4-year-old cultivated N. incisum remained relatively stable across different harvest periods. This suggests that the accumulation of relevant compounds in the medicinal material had reached a plateau, confirming that the optimal cultivation period for N. incisum is four years. Entropy-weighted grey correlation analysis indicated that the quality of 4-year-old cultivated N. incisum across different harvest periods ranked from highest to lowest as follows: November, December, October, August, July, and September, demonstrating that November is the optimal harvest time. The findings of this study establish the suitable cultivation duration and optimal harvest period for N. incisum, providing a scientific basis for cultivation guidance and quality standardization.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods*
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Apiaceae/chemistry*
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Entropy
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Chemometrics/methods*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Principal Component Analysis
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Quality Control
5.Current situation of medicinal animal breeding and research progress in sustainable utilization of resources.
Cheng-Cai ZHANG ; Jia WANG ; Yu-Jie ZHOU ; Xiao-Yu DAI ; Xiu-Fu WAN ; Chuan-Zhi KANG ; De-Hua WU ; Jia-Hui SUN ; Sheng WANG ; Lan-Ping GUO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(16):4397-4406
Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is the pillar for the development of motherland medicine, and animal medicine has a long history of application in China, characterized by wide resources, strong activity, definite efficacy, and great benefits. It has significant potential and important status in the consumption market of raw materials of TCM. In the context of global climate change, farming system alterations, and low renewability, the depletion of wild medicinal animal resources has accelerated. Accordingly, the conservation and sustainable utilization of wild resources of animal medicinal materials has become a problem that garners increasing attention and urgently needs to be solved. This paper summarizes the current situation of domestic and foreign medicinal animal breeding and research progress in industrial application in recent years and points out the issues related to standardized breeding, germplasm selection and breeding, and quality evaluation standards for medicinal animals. Furthermore, this paper discusses standardized breeding, quality standards, resource protection and utilization, and the search for alternative resources for rare and endangered medicinal animals. It proposes that researchers should systematically carry out in-depth basic research on animal medicine, improve the breeding scale and level of medicinal animals, employ modern technology to enhance the quality standards of medicinal materials, and strengthen the research and development of alternative resources. This approach aims to effectively address the relationship between protection and utilization and make a significant contribution to the sustainable development of medicinal animal resources and the animal-based Chinese medicinal material industry.
Animals
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Breeding
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China
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
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Conservation of Natural Resources
6.Clinical Analysis of Extranodal NK/T-Cell Lymphoma, Nasal Type with Skin Lesions as Initial Symptom.
Ping CHENG ; Yi LI ; Xia MAO ; Qiu-Xiang WANG ; Lan-Lan WANG ; Jun GUAN ; Ying ZHOU ; Hui CHENG
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(2):416-422
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the clinical features, treatment and prognosis of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTL) with skin lesions as initial symptom.
METHODS:
The clinical data of 11 ENKTL patients with skin lesions as initial symptom were retrospectively analyzed from August 2016 to January 2023 in Wuhan First Hospital and Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
RESULTS:
Among the 11 patients, there were 6 males and 5 females, with a median age of 50(32-80) years. All patients had different forms of skin lesions as initial clinical symptom, including rash, ulcerative mass, painful skin nodules, infiltrating macula, etc. Most of the skin lesions were involved in the limbs and trunk but also appeared in the lower limbs alone. Five patients had hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) at initial diagnosis, and 8 patients had B symptoms. All patients were diagnosed with advanced clinical staging (Lugano staging IV), and classified as high risk (PINK-E score ≥3). Immunohistochemical examination revealed that the positive rates of CD56 and EBER were both 100%, and the median Ki-67 index was 75%(50%-80%). Plasma EBV-DNA tests were all positive (≥5×102 copies/ml). Most of the induction chemotherapy regimens were combination chemotherapy (MESA, p-Gemox, SMILE) containing pegaspargase or L-asparaginase, or combined with PD-1 monoclonal immunotherapy, or HLH regimens (HLH-04 regimen, L-DEP). The median follow-up time and overall survival (OS) time were both 4.5(0.5-27) months. During the follow-up period, all 8 patients who did not receive autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) died, most of whom died of rapid disease progression. Three patients received ASCT, one died of central nervous system recurrence after transplantation, and two survived. The OS of three patients who underwent ASCT was 21, 27, and 19 months, and PFS was 11, 20, and 13 months, respectively. The plasma EBV-DNA copy number was monitored irregularly after transplantation, and the load of EBV was consistent with the changes of the disease.
CONCLUSIONS
Early clinical symptoms of ENKTL patients with skin lesions as initial symptom are more atypical, and early diagnosis is particularly difficult. The disease progresses rapidly and the prognosis is poor. There is still no uniform standard for the best treatment strategy. The survival of patients can be significantly prolonged by applying ASCT as soon as possible after complete remission obtained by high-dose induction chemotherapy.
Humans
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Male
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Female
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Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell/diagnosis*
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Middle Aged
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Adult
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Retrospective Studies
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Aged
;
Prognosis
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Aged, 80 and over
7.Regulatory effect of polygonatum odoratum extract on inflammatory factor tumor necrosis factor-α in Alzheimer's disease cells
Ping SHEN ; Hang LIU ; Zhao-Ming ZENG ; Yu-Bo XIAO ; Ling-Yan DENG ; Lan-Yu LI ; Zhong-Cheng MO
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(5):548-556
Objective To investigate the potential mechanism of action of polygonatum odoratum in treating Alzheimer's disease through the utilization of network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques.Methods The methods employed include target screening,Gene Ontology(GO)function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis,and molecular docking simulations to assess the binding interactions between the active compounds in polygonatum odoratum(POD)and the key target proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease.Subsequently,lipopolysaccharide(LPS)was used to induce an inflammatory cell model in BV2 microglial cells.After treating the cell model with POD extract for 24 hours,the cells were collected,and the expression of the target genes were detected by Real-time PCR.Results Eight active ingredients and 172 targets of POD were screened.The biological processes such as protein phosphorylation and signal transduction,protein binding and ATP binding were obtained by GO functional analysis.KEGG enrichment yielded PI3K/Akt,cAMP and other signaling pathways.The molecular docking result showed that the active ingredient of POD had well binding activity with epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR),proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src(SRC),tumor necrosis factor(TNF),STAT3.Through Real-time PCR experiments,the gene expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),prostaglandin G/H synthase 2(PTGS2),interleukin(IL)-6,and IL-1β in the LPS-induced inflammatory cell model were significantly upregulated.After treating the inflammatory model with POD extract for 24 hours,the expression of TNF-α was significantly reduced,the expression of STAT3 was upregulated,there were no significant changes in the expressions of SRC and EGFR.Conclusion Network pharmacology suggests polygonatum odoratum's potential anti-Alzheimer's effects may be mediated through its interaction with targets such as EGFR,TNF,SRC,and STAT3.The experimental results suggest that polygonatum odoratum exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by acting on TNF-α,which may further alleviate the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
8.Expert Consensus on the Ethical Requirements for Generative AI-Assisted Academic Writing
You-Quan BU ; Yong-Fu CAO ; Zeng-Yi CHANG ; Hong-Yu CHEN ; Xiao-Wei CHEN ; Yuan-Yuan CHEN ; Zhu-Cheng CHEN ; Rui DENG ; Jie DING ; Zhong-Kai FAN ; Guo-Quan GAO ; Xu GAO ; Lan HU ; Xiao-Qing HU ; Hong-Ti JIA ; Ying KONG ; En-Min LI ; Ling LI ; Yu-Hua LI ; Jun-Rong LIU ; Zhi-Qiang LIU ; Ya-Ping LUO ; Xue-Mei LV ; Yan-Xi PEI ; Xiao-Zhong PENG ; Qi-Qun TANG ; You WAN ; Yong WANG ; Ming-Xu WANG ; Xian WANG ; Guang-Kuan XIE ; Jun XIE ; Xiao-Hua YAN ; Mei YIN ; Zhong-Shan YU ; Chun-Yan ZHOU ; Rui-Fang ZHU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(6):826-832
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.
9.Preoperative Prediction of Tumour Mutation Burden in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on CT-Enhanced Examination
Yiman LI ; Jie CHENG ; Fengxi CHEN ; Ping CAI ; Yang LAN ; Xiaoming LI
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2025;33(6):657-662
Purpose To explore the predictive value of CT-enhanced for tumor mutation burden(TMB)in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Materials and Methods A total of 22 patients with pathologically confirmed HCC after undergoing radical resection in the First Affiliated Hospital,Army Medical University(Third Military Medical University)from January 2020 to January 2023 were collected,all of whom were quantified for TMB.Clinical,laboratory tests,CT imaging characteristics and follow-up of patients were recorded.Variables with P<0.2 were screened by stepwise regression analysis for independent risk factors for TMB.The area under the curve of receiver operating characteristic was used to assess the diagnostic efficacy.Results High TMB level was a risk factor for disease-free survival after HCC surgery(HR=1.115,P<0.05).According to the optimal cut-off value,TMB was classified into a high-risk group(>9.25 mutation/Mb)and low-risk group(≤9.25 mutation/Mb).Univariate analysis of intratumor ischemia or necrosis was statistically different between the high-risk and low-risk groups(P=0.005),and only intratumor ischemia or necrosis was an independent risk factor for predicting high TMB level by stepwise regression analysis(P<0.05).The area under the curve for predicting disease-free survival was 0.833(95%CI 0.615-0.956,P<0.001),with a sensitivity of 100.0%and a specificity of 66.7%.Conclusion High TMB level is associated with poor prognosis after HCC resection.Intratumor ischemia or necrosis have certain clinical value in predicting high TMB level,and are expected to provide a reference basis for personalized diagnosis and treatment of HCC patients.
10.Analysis of Clinical Features and Multi-Slice Spiral CT Image Features of Acute Appendicitis in Soldiers Who Have Been Living in Plateau for A Long Time
Li-na YUE ; Juan-qin NIU ; Gang CHEN ; Man-ping CHENG ; Ning-xia MU ; Jia FAN ; Kang LIU ; Yu-lan NIU ; Ya-ping HE ; Zhong-hua LI
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(11):1869-1878
Objective:To investigate the clinical features and multi-slice spiral computed tomography(CT)imaging features of acute appendicitis in soldiers who have been living in plateau for a long time.Methods:The clinical features and imaging data of 56 cases of acute appendicitis in soldiers who have been living in plateau for a long time confirmed by surgery from February 2022 to August 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:In 56 cases with acute appendicitis in soldiers who have been living in plateau for a long time,the appendectomy position results showed:anterior ileum 4 cases(7.14%),lower ileum 10 cases(17.86%),posterior cecum 16 cases(28.57%),lower cecum 9 cases(16.07%),lateral cecum 2 cases(3.58%),posterior ileum 6 cases(10.71%),high(subhepatic)9 cases(16.07%),and left lower abdominal 0 cases,retroperitoneal appendicitis 0 cases,which was suggested that the anatomical position variation of appendicitis in soldiers with acute appendicitis who have been living at high altitude for a long time was relatively large.The direct manifestations of multi-slice spiral CT showed:appendectomy enlarged diameter>6 mm in 49 cases(87.50%),appendicular wall thickening>2 mm in 42 cases(75.00%),ppendiceal dilation lumen and effusion in 29 cases(51.79%),appendix indistinctness in 3 cases(5.36%),lppendix fecalith:27 cases(48.21%),gas in the appendix in 16 cases(28.57%).Indirect findings of multi-slice spiral CT showed that,periappendiceal exudation with shadow in 32 cases(57.14%),appendiceal cellulitis with peripheral abscess in 9 cases(16.07%),peritonitis and ascites in 13 cases(23.21%),ileocecal intestinal wall thickening in 22 cases(39.29%),mesenteric lymph node enlargement in 16 cases(28.57%),reflexive intestinal stasis in ileocecal region was observed in 19 cases(33.93%).Conclusion:In the officers and soldiers with acute appendicitis who lived at high altitude for a long time,multi-slice spiral CT showed the direct manifestations of appendiceal thickening,tube wall thickening,lumen dilatation,fluid accumulation,etc.,and the indirect manifestations were periappendiceal exudation with shadow,appendiceal cellulitis with peripheral abscess,ileocecal intestinal wall thickening,reflexes of small intestine and mesenteric lymph node enlargement.Multi-slice spiral CT has the advantages of clear and intuitive,high safety,high resolution and simple operation in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

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