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.

BackgroundThe prevalence of depressive disorder in adolescents is on the rise. There have been studies on the pairwise relations between dysfunctional attitude， negative automatic thoughts， positive coping style and depressive symptoms in the past. However， the impact of the intrinsic relations among dysfunctional attitude， negative automatic thoughts and positive coping style on depressive symptoms is still unclear. ObjectiveTo explore the influence of dysfunctional attitude on adolescent depressive symptoms and examine the action path of negative automatic thoughts and positive coping style on it， in order to provide references for intervention for adolescent patients with depressisve disorder. MethodsThis study involved 162 adolescent patients with depressive disorder， who met the diagnostic criteria for depressive episodes in the International Classification of Diseases， 10th edition （ICD-10） and received treatment in Taiyuan Psychiatric Hospital from October 1， 2022 to October 31， 2023. These patients were evaluated using Self-rating Depression Scale （SDS）， Dysfunction Attitude Scale （DAS）， Positive Coping Style Subscale in Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire（SCSQ） and Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire （ATQ）. Pearson correlation analysis was adopted to examine the correlation among scores of scales above. Model 6 in Process 3.4.1 was adopted to test the acting path of negative automatic thoughts and positive coping style between dysfunctional attitude and adolescent depression symptoms. ResultsA total of 148 adolescent patients with depressive disorder completed an effective questionnaire survey， with a response rate of 91.36%. The direct effect value of dysfunctional attitude on depressive symptoms was 0.423 and the effect size was 63.32%. Negative automatic thoughts and positive coping style affected as acting path between dysfunctional attitude and depressive symptoms， with effect values of 0.156 （accounting for 23.35% of the total effect） and 0.045 （accounting for 6.74% of the total effect） respectively. Meanwhile， negative automatic thoughts and positive coping style affected as a chain reaction pathway between dysfunctional attitude and depressive symptoms， with an effect value of 0.044， accounting for 6.59% of the total effect. ConclusionDysfunctional attitude can not only directly affect the depressive symptoms of adolescent patients with depressive disorder， but also affect the depressive symptoms of adolescent patients with depressive disorder through the independent path or chain path of negative automatic thoughts and positive coping style.

Objective:To compare the therapeutic effects of partial nephrectomy (PN) and cryoablation (CA) in patients with stage cT 1N 0M 0 renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of patients with stage cT 1N 0M 0 RCC who underwent CA and PN treatment at The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University and Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital between March 2011 and December 2019. There were 50 cases in the CA group (36 from The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University and 14 from the Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital), and 1 323 cases in the PN group (all from The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University). PN included open surgery, laparoscopic surgery, or robotic surgery performed under general anesthesia through the abdominal or retroperitoneal approach. CA included laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia and percutaneous treatment guided by CT or ultrasound under local anesthesia. Propensity score matching was performed based on baseline data of the patients to obtain balanced samples between the two groups using a 1∶2 nearest-neighbor matching method. After matching, comparisons were made between the two groups in terms of perioperative conditions, overall survival (OS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Results:After PSM, patient distributions were closely balanced in baseline data such as gender (male/female: 28/19 cases in CA group and 58/36 cases in PN group), age [66.0(53.0, 75.0) years vs. 59.5(50.0, 69.3) years], body mass index[ (24.1 ± 6.4) kg/m 2 vs. (24.1 ± 3.1) kg/m 2], Charlson comorbidity index [1(0, 2) vs. 1(0, 2)], history of malignant tumors [19.1% (9/47) vs. 17.0% (16/94)], preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) [85.2(65.5, 97.1) ml/(min·1.73m 2) vs. 87.0(73.4, 100.4) ml/(min·1.73m 2)], and R. E.N.A.L. score [6(5, 7) vs. 7(6, 8)] between CA(n=47) and PN(n=94) group. There were significant differences in operative time [97.5(81.2, 117.5) min vs. 145.0(110.2, 185.0) min, P<0.001], estimated blood loss [85.0(50.0, 100.0) ml vs. 100.0(75.0, 200.0)ml, P=0.021], length of hospital stay [3.0(2.0, 4.0) days vs. 7.6(5.0, 9.0) days, P<0.001] between the CA and the PN group. No significant differences were observed in the incidence of postoperative complications [4.3% (2/47) vs. 5.3% (5/94), P=0.784], the eGFR within one week after surgery [83.7(65.6, 106.6) ml/(min·1.73m 2) vs. 83.2(66.7, 97.7) ml/(min·1.73m 2), P=0.645], the median follow-up time [ 93 (67, 126) months vs. 85 (68, 139) months, P=0.955], the RFS rate[81.8% vs. 96.8%, P=0.074], or the OS rate [85.7% vs. 97.8%, P=0.190] between the CA and the PN group. Conclusions:For patients with cT 1N 0M 0 stage RCC, CA and PN demonstrate comparable oncologic treatment efficacy, while CA offering the advantages of shorter surgical time, shorter hospital stay, and less blood loss.

Objective:To analyze the risk factors for premature infants with hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hs-PDA) requiring surgical treatment, and to explore the indications for surgical treatment in premature infants with hs-PDA.Methods:A nested case-control study was conducted.The data of premature infants with gestational age<30 weeks who were diagnosed with hs-PDA in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2007 to May 2020 were analyzed retrospectively.The hs-PDA patients treated surgically were included in the operation group.The hs-PDA patients of the same gestational age and gender who were not treated surgically were taken as the control group.The ratio of the case number between the operation and control groups was 1∶2.The clinical data during pregnancy, at birth and after birth of premature infants were compared between the 2 groups.The measurement data were tested by the independent sample t test or Mann- Whitney U test.The classification and enumeration data were compared by the Fisher′ s exact probability method.The risk factors for premature infants with hs-PDA requiring surgical treatment were analyzed by the conditional Logistic regression method. Results:A total of 182 premature infants with hs-PDA were enrolled in the study, including 10 in the operation group and 20 in the control group.The patients underwent PDA ligation 30.5(22.7, 37.0) d after birth, and the median preo-perative invasive ventilation duration was 9.7(17.5, 27.2) d. Compared with the control group(20 cases), the preterm infants in the operation group had a lower birth weight [(891.5±118.0) g vs.(1 054.4±230.2) g, t=2.091], a wider arterial duct diameter [3.2(2.8, 4.0) mm vs.2.0(2.0, 3.0) mm, Z=-3.300], and longer invasive ventilation duration [25.0(18.7, 38.2) d vs.3.0(1.0, 7.5) d, Z=-3.688]. Besides, the operation group applied the pulmonary surfactant for more times [2(1, 3) times vs.1(1, 2) times, Z=-2.440], and inhaled a higher concentration of oxygen on the 14 th day after birth [29(25, 36)% vs.21(21, 29)%, Z=-2.358] than the control group.Moreover, compared with the control group, the operation group took longer to achieve adequate enteral feeding [48.2(51.5, 63.5) d vs.42.5(23.5, 48.0) d, Z=2.789], and gained a higher maximum vasoactive inotropic score (VIS) [3.0(0, 3.5) points vs.0(0, 0) points, Z=-2.630]. The difference in all the above-mentioned indicators between the 2 groups was statistically significant (all P<0.05). Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the arterial duct diameter, application times of the pulmonary surfactant, the maximum VIS score, and the time taken to achieve sufficient enteral feeding were all related to the need for surgical treatment of hs-PDA in the operation group (all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that the invasive ventilation duration ( OR=0.747, 95% CI: 0.560-0.998, P=0.048) was an independent risk factor for hs-PDA premature infants requiring surgical treatment. Conclusions:The factors related to the need for surgical treatment in preterm infants with hs-PDA include a wide arterial duct diameter, multiple applications of the pulmonary surfactant, a high concentration of inhaled oxygen on the 14 th day, and the long time to achieve sufficient enteral feeding.The independent risk factor for the surgical treatment in hs-PDA children is the long invasive ventilation duration.

Objective:To investigate the effect of protocatechuic acid on chronic neuropathic pain (NP) and its mechanism in rats.Methods:NP models were established in 32 SD rats by sciatic nerve ligation, and they were randomly divided into model group, low- and high-dose protocatechuic acid groups, and ibuprofen group ( n=8); on the 3 rd d of modeling, rats in the latter 3 groups were given 10 or 20 mg/kg protocatechuic acid solution via jugular vein injection or 20 mg/kg ibuprofen tablets by gavage, once a d for consecutive 21 d. A sham-operated group ( n=8) was set up; the sciatic nerve was dissociated but not ligated. The behavioral performance of rats in each group was continuously observed; on the 7 th, 14 th and 21 st d of administration, the mechanical pain threshold of both hind limbs of rats was measured by von-Frey filament stimulation and the thermal pain threshold was measured by BME-410A thermal pain stimulator. Then, rats were sacrificed. The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were detected by ELISA. Cell apoptosis in the spinal cord tissues was observed by TUNEL. Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-related protein 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway related proteins in the spinal cord tissues. Results:On the 7 th, 14 th, and 21 st d of administration, the thermal pain threshold and mechanical pain threshold in the model group were significantly decreased as compared with those in the sham-operated group ( P<0.05); as compared with those in the model group, those in the low- and high-dose protocatechuic acid groups and ibuprofen group were significantly increased ( P<0.05); as compared with those in the low-dose protocatechuic acid group, those in the high-dose protocatechuic acid group and ibuprofen group were significantly increased ( P<0.05); those in the ibuprofen group were significantly increased as compared with those in the high-dose protocatechuic acid group ( P<0.05). (2) On the 21 st d of administration, as compared with those in sham-operated group, the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β and number of apoptotic cells in the spinal cord tissues of the model group were significantly increased ( P<0.05); as compared with those in the model group, those in the low- and high-dose protocatechuic acid groups and ibuprofen group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05); as compared with those in the low-dose protocatechuic acid group, those in the high-dose protocatechuic acid group and ibuprofen group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05); those in the ibuprofen group were significantly decreased as compared with those in the high-dose protocatechuic acid group ( P<0.05). (3) On the 21 st d of administration, the protein expressions of phosphorylated (p)-NF-κb-65 (0.77±0.05), NLRP3 (1.03±0.08), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), Caspase-1 and IL-1β in the spinal cord of rats in the model group were significantly increased as compared with those in the sham-operated group ( P<0.05); as compared with those in the model group, those in the low- and high-dose protocatechuic acid groups were significantly decreased (p-NF-κB-65: 0.49±0.03, 0.25±0.02; NLRP3: 0.81±0.06, 0.69±0.04; P<0.05); as compared with those in the low-dose protocatechuic acid group, those in the high-dose protocatechuic acid group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Protocatechuic acid may alleviate pain in chronic NP rats by downregulating NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway transduction.

Liposomes have made remarkable achievements as drug delivery vehicles in the clinic. Liposomal products mostly benefited from remote drug loading techniques that succeeded in amphipathic and/or ionizable drugs, but seemed impracticable for nonionizable and poorly water-soluble therapeutic agents, thereby impeding extensive promising drugs to hitchhike liposomal vehicles for disease therapy. In this study, a series of weak acid drug derivatives were designed by a simplistic one step synthesis, which could be remotely loaded into liposomes by pH gradient method. Cabazitaxel (CTX) weak acid derivatives were selected to evaluate regarding its safety profiles, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics. CTX weak acid derivative liposomes were superior to Jevtana® in terms of safety profiles, including systemic toxicity, hematological toxicity, and potential central nerve toxicity. Specifically, it was demonstrated that liposomes had capacity to weaken potential toxicity of CTX on cortex and hippocampus neurons. Significant advantages of CTX weak acid derivative-loaded liposomes were achieved in prostate cancer and metastatic cancer therapy resulting from higher safety and elevated tolerated doses.

Objective:To compare the difference of low-level assisted ventilation and T-piece method on respiratory mechanics of patients with invasive mechanical ventilation during spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) within 3 days before extubation.Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted. Twenty-five patients with difficulty in weaning or delayed weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation who were admitted to department of critical care medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from December 2018 to June 2020, and were in stable condition and entered the weaning stage after more than 72 hours of invasive mechanical ventilation were studied. A total of 119 cases of respiratory mechanical indexes were collected, which were divided into the low-level assisted ventilation group and the T-piece group according to the ventilator method and parameters used during the data collection. The different ventilation modes related respiratory mechanics indexes such as the esophageal pressure (Pes), the gastric pressure (Pga), the transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi), the maximum Pdi (Pdimax), Pdi/Pdimax ratio, the esophageal pressure-time product (PTPes), the gastric pressure-time product (PTPga), the transdiaphragmatic pressure-time product (PTPdi), the diaphragmatic electromyography (EMGdi), the maximum diaphragmatic electromyography (EMGdimax), PTPdi/PTPes ratio, Pes/Pdi ratio, the inspiratory time (Ti), the expiratory time (Te) and the total time respiratory cycle (Ttot) at the end of monitoring were recorded and compared between the two groups.Results:Compared with the T-piece group, Pes, PTPes, PTPdi/PTPes ratio, Pes/Pdi ratio and Te were higher in low-level assisted ventilation group [Pes (cmH 2O, 1 cmH 2O = 0.098 kPa): 2.84 (-1.80, 5.83) vs. -0.94 (-8.50, 2.06), PTPes (cmH 2O·s·min -1): 1.87 (-2.50, 5.93) vs. -0.95 (-9.71, 2.56), PTPdi/PTPes ratio: 0.07 (-1.74, 1.65) vs. -1.82 (-4.15, -1.25), Pes/Pdi ratio: 0.17 (-0.43, 0.64) vs. -0.47 (-0.65, -0.11), Te (s): 1.65 (1.36, 2.18) vs. 1.33 (1.05, 1.75), all P < 0.05], there were no significant differences in Pga, Pdi, Pdimax, Pdi/Pdimax ratio, PTPga, PTPdi, EMGdi, EMGdimax, Ti and Ttot between the T-piece group and the low-level assisted pressure ventilation group [Pga (cmH 2O): 6.96 (3.54,7.60) vs. 7.74 (4.37, 11.30), Pdi (cmH 2O): 9.24 (4.58, 17.31) vs. 6.18 (2.98, 11.96), Pdimax (cmH 2O): 47.20 (20.60, 52.30) vs. 29.95 (21.50, 47.20), Pdi/Pdimax ratio: 0.25 (0.01, 0.34) vs. 0.25 (0.12, 0.41), PTPga (cmH 2O·s·min -1): 7.20 (2.54, 9.97) vs. 7.97 (5.74, 13.07), PTPdi (cmH 2O·s·min -1): 12.15 (2.95, 19.86) vs. 6.87 (2.50, 12.63), EMGdi (μV): 0.05 (0.03, 0.07) vs. 0.04 (0.02, 0.06), EMGdimax (μV): 0.07 (0.05, 0.09) vs. 0.07 (0.04, 0.09), Ti (s): 1.20 (0.95, 1.33) vs. 1.07 (0.95, 1.33), Ttot (s): 2.59 (2.22, 3.09) vs. 2.77 (2.35, 3.24), all P > 0.05]. Conclusions:When mechanically ventilated patients undergo SBT, the use of T-piece method increases the work of breathing compared with low-level assisted ventilation method. Therefore, long-term use of T-piece should be avoided during SBT.

Objective:To investigate the different outcomes of two types of acute kidney injury (AKI) according to standard of Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes-AKI (KDIGO-AKI), and to analyze the risk factors that affect the prognosis of intensive care unit (ICU) patients in China.Methods:A secondary analysis was performed on the database of a previous study conducted by China Critical Care Clinical Trial Group (CCCCTG), which was a multicenter prospective study involving 3 063 patients in 22 tertiary ICUs in 19 provinces and autonomous regions of China. The demographic data, scores reflecting severity of illness, laboratory findings, intervention during ICU stay were extracted. All patients were divided into pure AKI (PAKI) and acute on chronic kidney disease (AoCKD). PAKI was defined as meeting the serum creatinine (SCr) standard of KDIGO-AKI (KDIGO-AKI SCr) and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at baseline was ≥ 60 mL·min -1·1.73 m -2, and AoCKD was defined as meeting the KDIGO-AKI SCr standard and baseline eGFR was 15-59 mL·min -1·1.73 m -2. All-cause mortality in ICU within 28 days was the primary outcome, while the length of ICU stay and renal replacement therapy (RRT) were the secondary outcome. The differences in baseline data and outcomes between the two groups were compared. The cumulative survival rate of ICU within 28 days was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival curve, and the risk factors of ICU death within 28 days were screened by Cox multivariate analysis. Results:Of the 3 063 patients, 1 042 were enrolled, 345 with AKI, 697 without AKI. The AKI incidence was 33.11%, while ICU mortality within 28 days of AKI patients was 13.91% (48/345). Compared with PAKI patients ( n = 322), AoCKD patients ( n = 23) were older [years old: 74 (59, 77) vs. 58 (41, 72)] and more critical when entering ICU [acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ) score: 23 (19, 27) vs. 15 (11, 22)], had worse basic renal function [eGFR (mL·min -1·1.73 m -2): 49 (38, 54) vs. 115 (94, 136)], more basic complications [Charlson comorbidity index (CCI): 3 (2, 4) vs. 0 (0, 1)] and higher SCr during ICU stay [peak SCr for diagnosis of AKI (μmol/L): 412 (280, 515) vs. 176 (124, 340), all P < 0.01]. The mortality and RRT incidence within 28 days in ICU of AoCKD patients were significantly higher than those of PAKI patients [39.13% (9/23) vs. 12.11% (39/322), 26.09% (6/23) vs. 4.04% (13/322), both P < 0.01], while no significant difference was found in the length of ICU stay. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that the 28-day cumulative survival rate in ICU in AoCKD patients was significantly lower than PAKI patients (Log-Rank: χ2 = 5.939, P = 0.015). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that admission to ICU due to respiratory failure [hazard ratio ( HR) = 4.458, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 1.141-17.413, P = 0.032], vasoactive agents treatment in ICU ( HR = 5.181, 95% CI was 2.033-13.199, P = 0.001), and AoCKD ( HR = 5.377, 95% CI was 1.303-22.186, P = 0.020) were independent risk factors for ICU death within 28 days. Conclusion:Further detailed classification (PAKI, AoCKD) based on KDIGO-AKI SCr standard combined with eGFR is related to ICU mortality in critical patients within 28 days.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of ulinastatin on the inflammatory mediators and their signaling pathways miR-146a/TLR4/NF-κB in rats with hemorrhagic shock. METHODS: Seventy-two SD rats were randomly assigned into shock without resuscitation group (SR group, =24), acetated Ringer's solution resuscitation group (AR group, =24) and ulinastatin treatment group (=24). In all the 3 groups hemorrhagic shock models were established by femoral artery bleeding (with the mean arterial pressure maintained at 30-40 mmHg) without resuscitation (in SR group) or with resuscitation (in AR and ulinastatin groups) using acetated Ringer's solution for 30 min at 60 min after the onset of shock. At 1, 4, and 6 h after the shock onset or immediately after shock if the rats died, the lung tissues were taken for measurement of mRNA expressions of miR-146a, tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-), interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 using real-time quantitative PCR and the protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88, IκB-, p-IκB-, NF-κB p65, IRAK4, p-IRAK4 (Thr345, Ser346), p-IRAK4 (Thr342) and TRAF6 using Western blotting. The lung histopathology of the rats was examined under optical microscope with HE staining. RESULTS: Compared with the SR group, the rats in the AR group showed slightly alleviated inflammatory infiltration in the lung tissues with significantly increased mRNA levels of miR-146a, IL-4 and IL-10 ( < 0.05) and protein expressions of IκB-, p-IRAK4 (Thr342) and p-IRAK4 (Thr345, ser346) ( < 0.05), and decreased mRNA levels of TNF-, IL-1 and IL-6 ( < 0.05) and protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB p65, p-IκB-, IRAK-4 and TRAF6 ( < 0.05). Compared with those in AR group, the rats in ulinastatin group showed further alleviation of inflammatory lung tissue injury, with increased mRNA levels of miR-146a, IL-4 and IL-10 ( < 0.01) and protein expressions of IκB-, p-IRAK4 and p-IRAK4 ( < 0.01) and decreased mRNA levels of TNF-, IL-1 and IL-6 ( < 0.01) and protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB p65, p-IκB-, IRAK-4 and TRAF6 ( < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Ulinastatin combined with acetated Ringer's solution resuscitation alleviates lung inflammations in rats with hemorrhagic shock possibly by enhancing miR-146a expression to regulate TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway through a negative feedback mechanism and thus modulate the balance of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors.

Objective To summarize the prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling of Turner syndrome fetuses with 46,X,i(X)(q10).Methods Two gravidas admitted to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Dalian were enrolled in this study.One gravida,who was admitted in October 2016,was classified as high risk of Down syndrome based on prenatal serologic screening and systematic ultrasonography,which found remarkably shorter humeri and femora than fetus of the same gestations.The other was suggested to be monosomy X after non-invasive prenatal testing and admitted in November 2017.Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and karyotyping were performed for prenatal diagnosis.Peripheral blood karyotyping was also offered to the two women and their partners.Results FISH test for amniotic fluid did not find numerical abnormality in 13,18,21,and sex chromosomes in these two fetuses.Karyotype analysis showed that the two fetuses were both 46,X,i(X) (q10),while their parents were normal.Both cases were terminated after genetic counseling.Conclusions Prenatal serological screening,systematic ultrasonography and non-invasive prenatal testing may help to identify Turner syndrome fetus of 46,X,i(X) (q10).Timely and accurate prenatal diagnosis may prevent the affected fetus from being born.