BACKGROUND:Degenerative scoliosis is defined as a condition that occurs in adulthood with a coronal cobb angle of the spine>10° accompanied by sagittal deformity and rotational subluxation,which often produces symptoms of spinal cord and nerve compression,such as lumbar pain,lower limb pain,numbness,weakness,and neurogenic claudication.The finite element method is a mechanical analysis technique for computer modelling,which can be used for spinal mechanics research by building digital models that can realistically restore the human spine model and design modifications. OBJECTIVE:To review the application of finite element method in the etiology and treatment of degenerative scoliosis. METHODS:The literature databases CNKI,PubMed,and Web of Science were searched for articles on the application of finite element method in degenerative scoliosis published before October 2023.Search terms were"finite element analysis,biomechanics,stress analysis,degenerative scoliosis,adult spinal deformity"in Chinese and English.Fifty-four papers were finally included. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The biomechanical findings from the degenerative scoliosis model constructed using the finite element method were identical to those from the in vivo experimental studies,which proves that the finite element method has a high practical value in degenerative scoliosis.(2)The study of the etiology and treatment of degenerative scoliosis by the finite element method is conducive to the prevention of the occurrence of the scoliosis,slowing down the progress of the scoliosis,the development of a more appropriate treatment plan,the reduction of complications,and the promotion of the patients'surgical operation.(3)The finite element method has gradually evolved from a single bony structure to the inclusion of soft tissues such as muscle ligaments,and the small sample content is increasingly unable to meet the research needs.(4)The finite element method has much room for exploration in degenerative scoliosis.

Here, we report a previously unrecognized syndromic neurodevelopmental disorder associated with biallelic loss-of-function variants in the RBM42 gene. The patient is a 2-year-old female with severe central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities, hypotonia, hearing loss, congenital heart defects, and dysmorphic facial features. Familial whole-exome sequencing (WES) reveals that the patient has two compound heterozygous variants, c.304C>T (p.R102*) and c.1312G>A (p.A438T), in the RBM42 gene which encodes an integral component of splicing complex in the RNA-binding motif protein family. The p.A438T variant is in the RRM domain which impairs RBM42 protein stability in vivo. Additionally, p.A438T disrupts the interaction of RBM42 with hnRNP K, which is the causative gene for Au-Kline syndrome with overlapping disease characteristics seen in the index patient. The human R102* or A438T mutant protein failed to fully rescue the growth defects of RBM42 ortholog knockout ΔFgRbp1 in Fusarium while it was rescued by the wild-type (WT) human RBM42. A mouse model carrying Rbm42 compound heterozygous variants, c.280C>T (p.Q94*) and c.1306_1308delinsACA (p.A436T), demonstrated gross fetal developmental defects and most of the double mutant animals died by E13.5. RNA-seq data confirmed that Rbm42 was involved in neurological and myocardial functions with an essential role in alternative splicing (AS). Overall, we present clinical, genetic, and functional data to demonstrate that defects in RBM42 constitute the underlying etiology of a new neurodevelopmental disease which links the dysregulation of global AS to abnormal embryonic development.
Female ; Animals ; Mice ; Humans ; Child, Preschool ; Intellectual Disability/genetics* ; Heart Defects, Congenital/genetics* ; Facies ; Cleft Palate ; Muscle Hypotonia

Glutamate-ammonia ligase (GLUL, also known as glutamine synthetase) is a crucial enzyme that catalyzes ammonium and glutamate into glutamine in the ATP-dependent condensation. Although GLUL plays a critical role in multiple cancers, the expression and function of GLUL in gastric cancer remain unclear. In the present study, we have found that the expression level of GLUL was significantly lower in gastric cancer tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues, and correlated with N stage and TNM stage, and low GLUL expression predicted poor survival for gastric cancer patients. Knockdown of GLUL promoted the growth, migration, invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, and vice versa, which was independent of its enzyme activity. Mechanistically, GLUL competed with β-Catenin to bind to N-Cadherin, increased the stability of N-Cadherin and decreased the stability of β-Catenin by alerting their ubiquitination. Furthermore, there were lower N-Cadherin and higher β-Catenin expression levels in gastric cancer tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. GLUL protein expression was correlated with that of N-Cadherin, and could be the independent prognostic factor in gastric cancer. Our findings reveal that GLUL stabilizes N-Cadherin by antagonizing β-Catenin to inhibit the progress of gastric cancer.

In the past few decades, microbubbles were widely used as ultrasound contrast agents in the field of tumor imaging. With the development of research, ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction technology combined with drug-loaded microbubbles can achieve precise drug release and play a therapeutic role. As a micron-scale carrier, microbubbles are difficult to penetrate the endothelial cell space of tumors, and nano-scale drug delivery system—nanobubbles came into being. The structure of the two is similar, but the difference in size highlights the unique advantages of nanobubbles in drug delivery. Based on the classification principle of shell materials, this review summarized micro/nanobubbles used for ultrasound diagnosis or treatment and discussed the possible development directions, providing references for the subsequent development.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Sangxing Zhike Prescription in treating postinfectious cough(PIC)of warm dryness invading the lung type.Methods A total of 66 PIC patients with warm dryness invading the lung type who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from January 2020 to June 2022 were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group,with 33 patients in each group.The treatment group was given Sangxing Zhike Prescription combined with Compound Methoxyphenamine Capsules,and the control group was given Compound Methoxyphenamine Capsules combined with Chinese medicine placebo.The course of treatment covered 7 days.The changes in the Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)scores of the severity of cough,the scores of cough symptom,and the scores of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome in the two groups were observed before and after the treatment.After treatment,the clinical efficacy and safety in the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)During the trial,one case fell off from the treatment group and 4 cases fell off from the control group,and eventually 61 cases completed the observation,of which 32 cases were in the treatment group and 29 cases were in the control group.(2)After 7 days of treatment,the total effective rate of the treatment group was 84.38%(27/32)and that of the control group was 58.62%(17/29),and the intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the therapeutic efficacy of the treatment group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the VAS scores of the severity of cough,and the scores of daytime cough,nighttime cough of the Cough Symptom Score Scale as well as the overall cough scores in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and the reduction of the VAS scores and the overall cough symptom scores in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,obvious improvement was presented in the scores of TCM symptoms of cough,throat itching,dry throat,foreign body sensation in the throat,sore throat and pharyngeal signs as well as total TCM syndrome scores in the treatment group when compared with the pre-treatment period(P＜0.01),whereas in the control group,only the scores of cough,throat itching,dry throat,and sore throat and the total TCM syndrome scores were improved compared with the pre-treatment period(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The post-treatment intergroup comparison showed that the treatment group was significantly superior to the control group in improving the scores of throat itching,foreign body sensation in the throat,and pharyngeal signs as well as total TCM syndrome scores(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(5)During the treatment process,no significant adverse reactions occurred in both groups,or no abnormal changes were shown in the safety indexes such as blood routine test,liver and kidney functions of the patients.Conclusion Sangxing Zhike Prescription combined with Compound Methoxyphenamine Capsules exerts certain effect in treating patients with PIC of warm dryness invading the lung type,and its efficacy is significantly superior to that of Compound Methoxyphenamine Capsules treatment alone with relatively high safety profile.

BACKGROUND:Due to the young age of children,the occipital condyle and foramen magnum are not fully developed,and they are prone to various diseases and injuries in the occipitocervical junction,which requires surgical treatment in severe cases.However,anatomical parameters for the development of the occipital condyle and foramen magnum in children are lacking. OBJECTIVE:To measure the morphological structure of the occipital condyle and foramen magnum by three-dimensional reconstruction technique,and to provide important anatomical parameters for occipitocervical junction lesions,related surgical procedures and forensic identification. METHODS:Imaging data of 389 cases of primitive children and adolescents involved in skull base undergoing spiral CT scanning(247 males and 142 females)aged 1-18 years were collected and divided into 1-3-year-old group,4-6-year-old group,7-9-year-old group,10-12-year-old group,13-15-year-old group,and 16-18-year-old group according to their age.Mimics 16.0 software was used to reconstruct the skull base and measure the length and width of the foramen magnum.A formula was used to calculate the area and index of the foramen magnum.We measured the length,width and height of the occipital condyle,the angle between the long axis and the sagittal axis of the occipital condyle(O-S angle),the included angle between the midpoint of the front and back edges of the foramen magnum and the connection between the back edge of occipital condyle and the intersection point of the foramen magnum(F-O angle),and the included angle between the midpoint of the front and back edges of the foramen magnum and the midpoint of the back wall of the sublingual neural tube(F-H angle).Gender,side and age differences were analyzed among the indicators. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In foramen magnum measurement,there was no significant difference between sexes in the index of the foramen magnum(P>0.05),but there were significant differences in length,width and area of the foramen magnum(P<0.05).(2)The O-S angle,F-O angle and F-H angle of the occipitral condyle were not significantly different between genders(P>0.05),but length,width and height of the occipital condyle were significantly different between genders(P<0.05).(3)There were no significant differences in the length of the occipital condyle among different groups(P>0.05),but there were significant differences in the width and height of the occipital condyle,O-S angle,F-O angle and F-H angle among different groups(P<0.05).(4)Length,width and area of the foramen magnum,length,width and height of the occipital condyle showed a wavy increasing trend with the increase of age,while O-S,F-O and F-H angles showed a wavy decreasing trend with the increase of age,while the index of the foramen magnum showed no significant change.(5)In conclusion,there are gender and lateral differences in the morphological indexes of the foramen magnum and the occipital condyle in children.These differences can provide an important reference for clinical surgical approach selection and forensic examination.

[Objective] To understand the characteristics of dietary diversity of urban families in Ningbo city and analyze the related factors of dietary diversity level. [Methods] The project was carried out based on the baseline survey project of the primary health comprehensive experimental area of the National Health Commission in 2021. Multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling was adopted and household face-to-face inquiry was conducted. The survey questionnaire was divided into four parts: basic information, dietary knowledge and attitudes, dietary consumption frequency, and 24-hour dietary intake. The generalized estimating equation was used to analyze the influencing factors of dietary diversity score. [Results] A total of 632 people were surveyed. Among the nine groups of food (except cooking oils), foods consumed weekly in frequency from high to low were cereals, vegetables, fruits, fish, meat, eggs, beans, and dairy. The overall dietary diversity score (DDS) was 5.78±1.693. Among the surveyed, 9% had insufficient DDS, 62.2% had moderate DDS, and 28.8% had adequate DDS. Age, dietary knowledge acquisition attitude behavior, and family role were significantly correlated with DDS. DDS was 0.70 higher in the group under 40 years old than in the group over 60 years old (P<0.05), and DDS in the group between 40 and 59 years old was 0.46 higher than that in the group over 60 years old (P<0.05). DDS in the occasionally or never actively collected group was 0.93 lower than that in the frequently actively collected group (P<0.001). Among the family role factors, DDS of ordinary family members was 0.32 higher than that of family opinion leader (P<0.05). [Conclusion] The dietary patterns in this region have the characteristics of plant-based and coastal characteristic dietary ones. The intake level of fruits and fish is relatively good, while the intake of legumes and dairy is relatively low, which needs attention.

Objective:To analyze and predict the future trend of the premature mortality of major chronic and non-communicable diseases in Anhui Province, evaluate the implementation of the "Healthy China 2030" Plan, and explore its influencing factors.Methods:Using data from death-cause surveillance and statistical yearbooks in Anhui, the trend prediction and analysis on influencing factors were conducted by using methods such as time series accumulation and logarithmic linear Joinpoint regression, principal component regression.Results:In Anhui, 28.10% of the deaths were premature ones, of which 84.40% were attributed to chronic and non-communicable diseases. In premature deaths attributed to chronic and non-communicable diseases, the deaths caused by malignant tumor and cardiovascular disease accounted for 45.88% and 41.65% respectively. The prediction results showed that the premature mortality of major chronic and non-communicable diseases would decrease in Anhui in the future, and by 2030, the goal in the "Healthy China 2030" Plan would be reached only in rural area. To reduce premature death, it is necessary to pay attention to the prevention and control of malignant tumor and cardiovascular disease. Men in urban area are the key population. Factors that reflect urban infrastructure had a significant impact on premature mortality of major chronic non-communicable diseases, such as garden and green space area per capita. Factors such as concentration of PM 2.5 had a negative impact on premature mortality of chronic non-communicable diseases, while factors such as garden and green space area per capita had a positive impact. Conclusions:Disease burden caused by chronic and non-communicable diseases, such as malignant tumor, exits in Anhui. Men in urban area are key population in the prevention and control of chronic and non-communicable diseases in the future.

Objective:To understand the prevalence of major chronic diseases of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and malignant tumor in people living with HIV in Taizhou.Methods:The data were collected from China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention and Taizhou Chronic Disease Information Management System. A total of 5 126 people living HIV under follow-up in Taizhou from 1998 to 2022 were included in the analysis. Software SAS 9.4 was used for χ 2 test, trend analysis and logistic regression analysis. Results:In the 5 126 people living with HIV, the reported prevalence rates of diabetes,cardiovascular disease and malignant tumor were 10.28% (527/5 126),3.98% (204/5 126) and 6.01% (308/5 126), respectively. 37.00% (195/527) and 48.58% (256/527), 40.20% (82/204) and 48.53% (99/204), 37.66% (116/308) and 48.38% (149/308) were diagnosed as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and malignant tumor before and after confirmation of HIV infection. From 2013 to 2022, the proportion of HIV infected people diagnosed with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and malignant tumor after confirmation increased (trend χ2=79.98, P<0.001; trend χ2=17.44, P<0.001; trend χ2=32.06, P<0.001). Based on the analysis on the factors for complicated chronic diseases in people living with HIV, it was found that women under 60 years old (a OR=0.66, 95% CI: 0.50-0.86) and those with access to antiviral treatment for >5 years before 2016 (a OR=0.54,95% CI:0.37-0.78) were less likely to develop complicated chronic diseases, and those under 60 years old with initial CD4 +T lymphocytes counts <200 cells/μl (a OR=1.32, 95% CI: 1.02-1.70), those aged 40-49 and 50-59 years (a OR=2.88, 95% CI:2.20-3.79; a OR=5.43, 95% CI: 4.10-7.21) as well as those without a record of treatment medication use after 2016 (a OR=1.95,95% CI:1.20-3.16) were more likely to develop complicated chronic diseases. The probability of developing complicated chronic diseases might increase with age in people living with HIV. Conclusions:From 1998 to 2022, there was a certain proportion of complicated chronic diseases among HIV infected individuals in Taizhou, and the proportion of diagnosed cases increased after HIV infection was confirmed. It is necessary to conduct early chronic disease screening, behavior intervention and standardized management in people living with HIV.

Objective:To establish an in vivo infection model of West Nile virus (WNV) pseudovirus and evaluate the neutralizing activity of antibody WNV-XH1.Methods:A stable cell line that can package the WNV pseudovirus was established in the early stage to prepare the pseudovirus supernatant. The supernatant was concentrated and infected BHK21 cells to detect the titer of the pseudovirus. After intraperitoneal injection of the pseudovirus into C57BL/J mice, bioluminescence imaging was performed to observe the infection status of the pseudovirus in the mice. After simultaneous infection, blood was collected and ELISA was used to detect NS1 levels in mouse serum. The in vivo functional activity of antibody WNV-XH1 was evaluated using the established mouse infection model.Results:Fluorescence was detected in C57BL/J mice infected with WNV pseudovirus, and the NS1 levels in the peripheral blood serum of mice infected with pseudovirus were significantly higher than those of non infected mice (1.453±0.09vs0.305±0.018). After intravenous administration of WNV-XH1 antibody before the attack, the fluorescence signal in the mice decreased and the serum NS1 level decreased (0.384±0.015).Conclusions:A successful in vivo infection model of WNV pseudovirus was established, and it was confirmed that the antibody WNV-XH1 had a protective effect against WNV pseudovirus infection in vivo.