The level of urinary albumin is a critical indicator for the early diagnosis and management of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, existing methods for detecting albumin are not conducive to point-of-care testing due to the complexity of reagent addition and incubation processes. This study presents a smartphone-integrated handheld automated biochemical analyzer (sHABA) designed for point-of-care testing of urinary albumin. The sHABA features a pre-loaded, disposable reagent cassette with reagents for the albumin assay arranged in the order of their addition within a hose. The smartphone-integrated analyzer can drive the reagents following a preset program, to enable automatic sequential addition. The sHABA has a detection limit for albumin of 5.9 mg/L and a linear detection range from 7 to 450 mg/L. The consistency of albumin level detection in 931 urine samples using sHABA with clinical tests indicates good sensitivity (95.78%) and specificity (90.16%). This research advances the field by providing an automated detection method for albumin in a portable device, allowing even untrained individuals to monitor CKD in real time at the patient's bedside. In the context of promoting tiered diagnosis and treatment, the sHABA has the potential to become an essential tool for the early diagnosis and comprehensive management of CKD and other chronic conditions.

Hyperuricemia (HUA) and gout became typical metabolic disorders characterized by multiple pathogenic factors. Their incidence increased annually, affecting younger populations. Given that uric acid (UA) and inflammation were the primary disease mechanisms, the search for effective and low-side-effect UA-lowering and anti-inflammatory drugs became a pressing scientific priority. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) encompassed a rich array of theoretical and practical experience, along with a diverse range of chemical substances, making herbs or their components potential sources for therapeutic drugs. Despite the significant role that modern herbal medicines played in treating HUA and gout, the existing research literature remained fragmented, lacking comprehensive and systematic reviews. In this review, we focused on the regulation of UA and summarized the discovery of UA-lowering pharmacodynamic components or ingredients derived from herbs and formulas, as well as their multi-targeted mechanisms of action. Emphasizing this focus, we proposed that, compared to acute inflammation, low-grade inflammation may play a relatively "unnoticed" role in the disease process. In contrast to Western medicine, we discussed the risks and benefits of herbal medicines and their ingredients for treatment, drawing from theoretical insights and clinical practice. This review offered comprehensive perspectives on the research into anti-HUA and gout treatments using herbal medicines and their natural products. Additionally, it provided a forward-looking view on natural product discovery, the exploration of therapeutic strategies, and new drug research in this field.

Objective To investigate the function and clinical significance of nuclear matrix binding region binding protein 1(SATB1)and epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)in gastric cancer.Methods The expression of SATB1 and EGFR was detected by immunohistochemistry in 60 cases of paraffin-embedded gastric cancer and 39 cases of gastric mucosal inflammation.Small interfering RNA(siRNA)was transfected into gastric cancer cells.The expression of SATB1 and EGFR after transfection was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)and Western blot.The cell migration and invasion changes of MGC803 after transfection were detected by cell scratch test and Transwell test.The prognosis of gastric cancer pa-tients with different SATB1 and EGFR expression was analyzed by KM survival analysis.Results The expression of SATB1 and EGFR in gastric cancer tissues was higher than that in gastric mucosa inflammation tissues,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The expression of SATB1 was correlated with lymph node metas-tasis and distant metastasis of gastric cancer,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).EGFR ex-pression was also associated with distant metastasis,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).There was a positive correlation between the expression of SATB1 and EGFR in gastric cancer tissues(r=0.49,P＜0.05).RT-qPCR and Western blot showed that siRNA could effectively knock down the expression of SATB1 and EGFR in gastric cancer cells.The results of cell scratch and Transwell experiments showed that the migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells were inhibited by knocking down SATB1 and EGFR.The results of KM survival curve showed that gastric cancer patients with low expression of SATB1 had a better prognosis,while those with low expression of EGFR had a better prognosis.Conclusion The expression levels of SATB1 and EGFR are closely re-lated to lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis of gastric cancer,and decreasing the expression levels of SATB1 and EGFR can inhibit the migration and invasion of gastric cancer.

Objective To elucidate the prediction ability of monocyte monolayer assay(MMA)used in hemolytic dis-ease of fetus and newborn(HDFN)caused by IgG anti-M.Methods Plasma from eight pregnant women containing IgG an-ti-M were collected,and were divided into two groups(4 cases with HDFN,with severe clinical symptoms such as fetal hy-drops,and 4 cases without HDFN)according to the clinical outcomes.M antigen positive cells were sensitized with dithioth-reitol(DTT)treated plasma from eight pregnant women respectively.MMA was performed by coincubation with monocytes and sensitized M cells,along with negative and positive control set up.T-test was conducted to compare the difference in phagocytic efficiency between two groups.Results The phagocytic efficiency in group with HDFN were 15.37%,13.05%,9.17%and 24.50%respectively,with the mean value of 15.52%,while the group without HDFN were 8.74%,11.07%,5.12%and 6.23%respectively,with the mean value of 7.79%.There was no significant difference in phagocytic efficiency between two groups(P>0.05).The mean values of both groups were not significantly different from the negative control(P>0.05),but both were significantly lower than positive control(P<0.05).Conclusion The low phagocytic efficiency couldn't convince that the MMA is an effective predictor for the HDFN caused by IgG anti-M,indicating that another mech-anism might be responsible for it rather than monocyte phagocytosis.The assessment of the peak systolic velocity in middle cerebral artery of the fetal should be considered in the management for pregnant women who produce IgG anti-M to estimate the situation of fetal anemia.

Background::Gastric cancer (GC), a malignant tumor with poor prognosis, is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide; consequently, identifying novel therapeutic targets is crucial for its corresponding treatment. NUF2, a component of the NDC80 kinetochore complex, promotes cancer progression in multiple malignancies. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the potential of NUF2 as a therapeutic target to inhibit GC progression. Methods::Clinical samples were obtained from patients who underwent radical resection of GC at Lanzhou University Second Hospital from 2016 to 2021. Cell count assays, colony formation assays, and cell-derived xenotransplantation (CDX) models were used to determine the effects of NUF2 on GC progression. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effect of NUF2 or quercetin on cell cycle progression and apoptosis. A live-cell time-lapse imaging assay was performed to determine the effect of NUF2 on the regulation of mitotic progression. Transcriptomics was used to investigate the NUF2-associated molecular mechanisms. Virtual docking and microscale thermophoresis were used to identify NUF2 inhibitors. Finally, CDX, organoid, and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models were used to examine the efficacy of the NUF2 inhibitor in GC. Results::NUF2 expression was significantly increased in GC and was negatively correlated with prognosis. The deletion of NUF2 suppressed GC progression both in vivo and in vitro. NUF2 significantly regulated the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, promoted G2/M phase transition, and inhibited apoptosis in GC cells. Additionally, quercetin was identified as a selective NUF2 inhibitor with low toxicity that significantly suppressed tumor growth in GC cells, organoids, CDX, and PDX models. Conclusions::Collectively, NUF2-mediated G2/M phase transition and apoptosis inhibition promoted GC progression; additionally, NUF2 inhibitors exhibited potent anti-GC activity. This study provides a new strategy for targeting NUF2 to suppress GC progression in clinical settings.

Objective:To explore the application of an automatic slide-dropping instrument in bone marrow chromosomal karyotyping.Methods:The effects of manual and automatic dropping methods under different environmental humidity were retrospectively analyzed, and the repeatability of the automatic dropping method was analyzed.Results:No statistical difference was found between the results of automatic and manual dropping methods under the optimum ambient humidity and high humidity ( P>0.05). At low humidity, there was a statistical difference between the two methods ( P<0.05). With regard to the repeatability, the coefficient of variations of the automatic dropping method for the number of split phases, the rate of good dispersion and the rate of overlap were all lower than those of the manual dropping method. A statistical difference was also found in the number of split phases ( P<0.05) but not in the discrete excellent rate and overlapping rate between the two methods ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Better effect can be obtained by the automatic dropping instrument. It is suggested to gradually replace manual work with machine.

Objective To analyze the pregnancy outcomes of combined B-Lynch suture and intrauterine packing with gauze versus combined B-Lynch suture and intrauterine balloon tamponade in the treatment of central placenta previa with abnormally adherent placenta.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 48 patients with central type placenta previa combined with adhesive placental implantation at Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University from July 2021 to October 2023.Among them,23 patients were treated with B-Lynch suture combined with uterine gauze tamponade(study group),and 25 patients were treated with B-Lynch suture combined with uterine balloon tamponade(control group).The intraoperative bleeding volume,postpartum 24-hour bleeding volume,postoperative intervention surgery rate,postoperative ICU transfer rate,and hospitalization costs were compared between the two groups.Results There was no statistically significant difference in intraoperative bleed-ing between the two groups(P>0.05).Compared with the control group,the study group showed a decrease in 24-hour postpartum hemorrhage,red blood cell infusion,surgical time,and hospitalization costs;The postoperative hospitalization days are shorter(P<0.05).Three patients in the control group underwent uterine artery embolization intervention surgery,and one patient was transferred to the ICU.There was no statistically significant difference in the ICU transfer rate and postoperative intervention surgery rate between the two groups(P>0.05).There was no difference in Apgar scores between the two groups of newborns.After discharge,patients were followed up until 42 days postpartum,and the results showed that all patients had no late postpartum hemorrhage,no poor healing of uterine incisions,no complications such as bladder ureteral injury and intestinal obstruction.Conclusion Combined B-Lynch suture and intrauterine gauze packing is a simple,feasible,safe,and reliable hemostatic method.It is suitable for primary healthcare institutions and worthy of promotion.

Objective:To explore the prevalence and independent associated factors of vascular calcification (VC) in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients of stage 3-5.Methods:It was a single-center cross-sectional observational study. Non-dialysis stage 3-5 CKD patients ≥18 years old who were admitted to the Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from May 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 with VC evaluation were enrolled. The patients' general information, laboratory examination and imaging data were collected. Coronary artery calcification (CAC), thoracic aorta calcification (TAC), abdominal aorta calcification (AAC), carotid artery calcification and aortic valve calcification (AVC) were evaluated by cardiac-gated electron-beam CT (EBCT) scans, lateral lumbar x-ray, cervical macrovascular ultrasound and echocardiography, respectively. The differences in clinical data and the prevalence of VC at different sites of patients with different CKD stages were compared, and the prevalence of VC at different sites of patients in different age groups [youth group (18-44 years old), middle-aged group (45-64 years old) and elderly group (≥65 years old)] and patients with or without diabetes were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the independent associated factors of VC for different areas.Results:A total of 206 patients aged (51±14) years were included, including 129 (62.6%) males. There were 44 patients with CKD stage 3 (21.4%), 51 patients with CKD stage 4 (24.8%), and 111 patients with CKD stage 5 (53.9%). CKD was caused by chronic glomerulonephritis [104 cases (50.5%)], diabetic kidney damage [35 cases (17.0%)], hypertensive kidney damage [29 cases (14.1%)] and others [38 cases (18.4%)]. Among 206 patients, 131 (63.6%) exhibited cardiovascular calcification, and the prevalence of CAC, TAC, AAC, carotid artery calcification, and AVC was 37.9%, 43.7%, 37.9%, 35.9% and 9.7%, respectively. The overall prevalence of VC in young, middle-aged and elderly patients was 24.6%, 73.6% and 97.4%, respectively. With the increase of age, the prevalence of VC in each site gradually increased, and the increasing trend was statistically significant (all P<0.001). The overall prevalence of VC in CKD patients with diabetes was 92.5% (62/67), and the prevalence of VC at each site in the patients with diabetes was significantly higher than that in the patients without diabetes (all P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age (every 10 years increase, OR=2.51, 95% CI 1.77-3.56, P<0.001), hypertension ( OR=5.88, 95% CI 1.57-22.10, P=0.009), and diabetes ( OR=4.66, 95% CI 2.10-10.35, P<0.001) were independently correlated with CAC; Age (every 10 years increase, OR=6.43, 95% CI 3.64-11.36, P<0.001) and hypertension ( OR=6.09, 95% CI 1.33-27.84, P=0.020) were independently correlated with TAC; Female ( OR=0.23, 95% CI 0.07-0.72, P=0.011), age (every 10 years increase, OR=3.90, 95% CI 2.42-6.29, P<0.001), diabetes ( OR=5.37, 95% CI 2.19-13.19, P<0.001) and serum magnesium ( OR=0.01,95% CI 0-0.35, P=0.014) were independently correlated with AAC. Moreover, age and diabetes were independently correlated with carotid artery calcification, AVC and overall VC Conclusions:The prevalence of VC in non-dialysis CKD patients of stage 3-5 is 63.59%, of which CAC reaches 37.9%, TAC is the most common one (43.7%), while AVC is the least one (9.7%). Age and diabetes are the independent associated factors for VC of all sites except TAC, while hypertension is an independent associated factor for both CAC and TAC.

OBJECTIVES: In light of the rise in the global aging population, this study investigated the potential of the oxidative balance score (OBS) as an indicator of phenotypic age acceleration (PhenoAgeAccel) to better understand and potentially slow down aging. METHODS: Utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey collected between 2001 and 2010, including 13,142 United States adults (48.7% female and 51.2% male) aged 20 and above, OBS and PhenoAgeAccel were calculated. Weighted generalized linear regression models were employed to explore the associations between OBS and PhenoAgeAccel, including a sex-specific analysis. RESULTS: The OBS demonstrated significant variability across various demographic and health-related factors. There was a clear negative correlation observed between the higher OBS quartiles and PhenoAgeAccel, which presented sex-specific results: the negative association between OBS and PhenoAgeAccel was more pronounced in male than in female. An analysis using restricted cubic splines revealed no significant non-linear relationships. Interaction effects were noted solely in the context of sex and hyperlipidemia. CONCLUSIONS A higher OBS was significantly associated with a slower aging process, as measured by lower PhenoAgeAccel. These findings underscore the importance of OBS as a biomarker in the study of aging and point to sex and hyperlipidemia as variables that may affect this association. Additional research is required to confirm these results and to investigate the biological underpinnings of this relationship.

Inducing the degradation of KRAS represents a novel strategy to combat cancers with KRAS mutation. In this study, we identify ubiquitin-specific protease 2 (USP2) as a novel deubiquitinating enzyme of KRAS in multiple myeloma (MM). Specifically, we demonstrate that gambogic acid (GA) forms a covalent bond with the cysteine 284 residue of USP2 through an allosteric pocket, inhibiting its deubiquitinating activity. Inactivation or knockdown of USP2 leads to the degradation of KRAS, resulting in the suppression of MM cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Conversely, overexpressing USP2 stabilizes KRAS and partially abrogates GA-induced apoptosis in MM cells. Furthermore, elevated USP2 levels may be associated with poorer prognoses in MM patients. These findings highlight the potential of the USP2/KRAS axis as a therapeutic target in MM, suggesting that strategically inducing KRAS degradation via USP2 inhibition could be a promising approach for treating cancers with KRAS mutations.