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.

Objective To study the stress change characteristics of the cervical disc after removing different ranges of the uncinate process by establishing a three⁃dimensional finite element model of the C

This study aimed to investigate the effect of Flos Farfarae (FF) fumigation on cigarette smoke-induced lung injury mice, and analyze the metabolic profile of lung tissue by metabolomics. All animal experiments were conducted under the guidance and approval of the Animal Ethics Review Committee of Shanxi University (Approval number: SXULL2019014). By using HS-GC-MS to analyze volatile components of Flos Farfarae, 23 compounds were identified. The results showed that FF fumigation improved the lung tissue morphology of cigarette smoke-induced lung injury mice, lowered the levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). The lung tissue samples were applied for metabolomic analysis based on UHPLC-QTOF MS, the results showed that 70 metabolites were changed in the lung tissue of mice after cigarette exposure, and 35 of them could be regulated, including lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), 12-HETE, adenosine, and xanthine. These metabolites, such as LPC, 12-HETE, adenosine, and xanthine were mainly associated with the body's inflammatory response. It was observed that these metabolites are primarily involved in purine metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, phospholipid metabolism, and pyruvate metabolism pathways. These findings suggest that the volatile terpenoids in the FF may regulate the metabolites associated with the inflammatory response in the lung tissue, such as lysophosphatidylcholine, 12-HETE, and adenosine, which could further alleviate lung inflammation induced by cigarette smoke through the metabolic pathways of purine metabolism and others. This study proved the scientific basis of the traditional application of FF fumigation, and provided a theoretical basis for the further product development.

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of scrub typhus disease and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of scrub typhus disease. Methods Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the population and regional distribution of scrub typhus. Seasonal characteristics were analyzed using concentration method and circular distribution method, and incidence trend was analyzed using joinpoint regression model. Results The annual incidence rate of scrub typhus was 0.95/100 000 from 2010 to 2022. The incidence rate of male was 0.77/100 000, lower than that of female 1.12/100 000 (χ²=18.89, P<0.05). The incidence rate of the 60-74 years old group was 3.38/100,000, and the total number of cases in the age group 45-74 years was 416 (74.95%). Occupational distribution was mainly among farmers, with 448 cases (80.72%). The top three regions with the highest number of reported cases (in order: Donghai County, Ganyu District, and Guannan County) reported a total of 416 cases, accounting for 74.95%. Concentration ratio was M=0.9408, and the incidence of scrub typhus disease was strictly seasonal. Circular distribution results showed a^-=-62.3728, S=20.8960. The circular distribution results indicated that the peak day was October 19th, and the peak period was between October 7 to December 19. The average annual percentage change (AAPC) of the incidence rate from 2010 to 2022 was 13.70%, 95% CI (-8.62%~41.48%), and the incidence rate showed an upward trend (t=1.15, P=0.249). Conclusion The incidence of scrub typhus disease is strictly seasonal, and the incidence rate over the years shows an upward trend. It is necessary to strengthen monitoring and take various intervention measures to reduce the risk of scrub typhus disease.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of adult anomalous aortic origin of coronary artery(AAOCA)and the causes of missed diagnosis by transthoracic echocardiography(TTE)so as to facilitate TTE in diagnosing adult AAOCA.Methods A total of 37 adult patients with AAOCA diagnosed by non-invasive coronary CT angiography(CCTA)and/or invasive coronary angiography(ICA)were selected as research samples at some hospital from January 2019 to December 2022,and their clinical symptoms and the findings of 12-lead electrocardiogram,cardiac enzymes and TTE were summarized;the patients were typed according to the site of origin of coronary artery anomalies,and the causes for the missed diagnosis of TTE were eplored.Chi-square test was used to compare the differences in TTE missed diagnoses.Results Of the 37 patients,31 ones had no or only mild symptoms;most ones had negative results in terms of 12-lead electrocardiography,cardiac enzymes,changes in the size of the cardiac chambers,segmental ventricular wall motion abnormalities and left ventricular systolic function.The patients with anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from left sinus(ARCA-L)gained the largest proportion of 59.45％(22/37);21 patients were diagnosed with anomalous origin of coronary artery arising from the opposite sinus(ACAOS)in the two examinations of TTE,of whom there were 19 cases of ARCA-L,and the detection rate of ACAOS by TTE was 87.5％;all the 13 patients origins in branches and high-grade openings were missed by TTE.The detection rate of ACAOS by TTE was significantly higher than that of coronary artery anomalies originating in branches and in high openings,and the difference was statistically significant(21/24 vs 0/13,P＜0.001).Conclusion Most adult AAOCA patients lack specificity in symptoms and related examination results.TTE has a high detection rate of ACAOS,while it is easy to miss the diagnosis of coronary artery anomalies originating from branches and high openings.Ultrasonographers have to identify false negative AAOCA by multi-section and multi-angle scanning and color Doppler flow imaging in order to reduce the rate of missed diagnosis.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(1):71-75]

AIM To identify the chemical components of Longmu Qingxin Mixture by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and study its material basis for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.METHODS The sample was detected by mass spectrometry in positive and negative ion mode on a Waters CORTECS? UPLC? T3 chromatographic column.The data were analyzed with Peakview 1.2 software and matched with the Natural Products HR-MS/MS Spectral Library 1.0 database,and the components were identified in combination with literature reports.The material basis of Longmu Qingxin Mixture for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was analysed according to the identified components.RESULTS Forty chemical components were identified,including 11 flavonoids,6 monoterpene glycosides,4 triterpene saponins,3 phenolic acids,6 alkaloids etc.,which mainly derived from Radix Astragali,Radix Paeoniae Alba,Radix Scutellariae,licorice root,Ramulus Uncariae cum,etc.,baicalein,formononetin,astragaloside Ⅳ and rhynchophylline may be the material basis for the therapeutic effect of Longmu Qingxin Mixture.CONCLUSION UPLC-Q-TOF-MS can quickly identify the chemical components of Longmu Qingxin Mixture.Flavonoids,triterpene saponins and alkaloids may be the material basis for Longmu Qingxin Mixture for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,which can provide the basis for its material basis research,quality standard establishment and pharmacological study of the dismantled formula.

Objective Recombinase-aided polymerase chain reaction(RAP)is a sensitive,single-tube,two-stage nucleic acid amplification method.This study aimed to develop an assay that can be used for the early diagnosis of three types of bacteremia caused by Staphylococcus aureus(SA),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(PA),and Acinetobacter baumannii(AB)in the bloodstream based on recombinant human mannan-binding lectin protein(M1 protein)-conjugated magnetic bead(M1 bead)enrichment of pathogens combined with RAP. Methods Recombinant plasmids were used to evaluate the assay sensitivity.Common blood influenza bacteria were used for the specific detection.Simulated and clinical plasma samples were enriched with M1 beads and then subjected to multiple recombinase-aided PCR(M-RAP)and quantitative PCR(qPCR)assays.Kappa analysis was used to evaluate the consistency between the two assays. Results The M-RAP method had sensitivity rates of 1,10,and 1 copies/μL for the detection of SA,PA,and AB plasmids,respectively,without cross-reaction to other bacterial species.The M-RAP assay obtained results for<10 CFU/mL pathogens in the blood within 4 h,with higher sensitivity than qPCR.M-RAP and qPCR for SA,PA,and AB yielded Kappa values of 0.839,0.815,and 0.856,respectively(P<0.05). Conclusion An M-RAP assay for SA,PA,and AB in blood samples utilizing M1 bead enrichment has been developed and can be potentially used for the early detection of bacteremia.

Cancerous fever is a non-infectious fever that occurs during the progression of malignant tumors,which is directly related to the tumor or is caused by tumor treatment.Based on the yin-fire theory,Professor WANG Xi-Xing believes that the qi deficiency of spleen and stomach and the upward flaming of yin-fire are the key pathogenesis of cancerous fever.The cancerous fever involves the three zang-organs of liver,spleen and kidney,and its treatment should be achieved mainly by replenishing qi with warm-sweet medicinals,invigorating spleen and elevating yang,and clearing and purging yin-fire.Moreover,the correlation between earth(spleen)and wood(liver)should be taken into account,and harmonizing spleen and stomach can be achieved by nourishing blood and relieving depression,and soothing liver to disperse fire;the transmission of yin-fire should be blocked through the method of nourishing yin and clearing heat,and inducing fire to return to the source.After years of clinical experience,Professor WANG Xi-Xing establised Buzhong Tiaogan Decoction(mainly composed of Astragali Radix,Codonopsis Radix,Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma,Cimicifugae Rhizoma,Bupleuri Radix,Angelicae Sinensis Radix,Paeoniae Radix Alba,Ophiopogonis Radix,Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus,Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium,Scolopendra,Salviae Chinensis Herba,Fructus Akebiae,and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle),which is derived from Buzhong Yiqi Decoction.Buzhong Tiaogan Decoction is effective on relieving the symptoms of cancerous fever in cancer patients by benefiting the middle energizer qi,nourishing liver blood,regulating liver qi,eliminating abdominal mass and dissipating mass,so as to correct the cold,heat,yin and yang of the human body.

Objective To investigate the causal relationship between obstructive sleep apnea(OSA)and hypertension using bidirectional Mendelian randomization(MR).Methods Genetic data for OSA were obtained from the Genome-wide association study(GWAS)of FinnGen Biobank,including 16 761 cases and 201 194 controls,from which 5 single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)were screened as instrumental variables(IVs)for OSA.Genetic data for hypertension were obtained from GWAS of UK Biobank,including 124 227 cases and 337 653 controls from which 214 SNPs were selected as IVs for hypertension.Multiple MR methods,mainly Inverse variance weighted(IVW),were used for analysis.Sensitivity analysis of MR results was performed using MR-Egger regression et al,and IVs were evaluated using F values.Results OSA was associated with an increased risk of hypertension(OR=1.053,95%CI 1.019-1.089,P<0.01),and hypertension was significantly associated with the risk of developing OSA(OR=1.812,95%CI 1.354-2.425,P<0.001).Heterogeneity was observed in both two-way outcomes(OSA→ hypertension,P<0.001;hypertension→ OSA,P<0.001),but no evidence of horizontal pleiotropy was detected(OSA→ hypertension,P=0.666;hypertension→ OSA,P=0.556).The IVs selected in this study were strong instrumental variables for both OSA and hypertension(OSA-IVs F=14.695;hypertension-IVs F=39.624).Conclusions Our findings indicate a bidirectional causal relationship between OSA and hypertension,with a particularly significant effect of hypertension on the development of OSA.

Objective To provide anatomical,radiological,and clinical diagnostic and therapeutic references for ankylosing spondylitis and spinal surgical operations.Methods Non-measurement spinal observations,X-ray examinations,and measurements were performed on two spinal specimens,along with digital image acquisition and processing.Results The first specimen included thoracic vertebra 7(T7)to lumbar vertebra 3(L3),with an average total length of 29.7 cm;the second specimen ranged from cervical vertebra 7(C7)to lumbar vertebra 2(L2),with an average total length of 38.3 cm.The specimens showed partial or complete calcification of ligaments,ossification of the small joints and intervertebral discs,and osteoporosis;The anterior-posterior diameter(width)of the vertebral foramen was narrower than that of a normal adult,while most of the superior-inferior diameter(height)was wider.Radiographically,the anterior longitudinal ligament calcification appeared as dot-like or striated,but it was actually flaky in the actual specimens.The specimens provided views of the facet joints,costovertebral joints,and intervertebral foramina that was difficult to demonstrate on two-dimensional X-ray images.Conclusion As ankylosing spondylitis progresses,the range of motion in spinal bending and rotation decreases,as does the extent of thoracic expansion,thereby affecting respiration and complicating procedures such as intraspinal anesthesia and sacral canal injections.In terms of diagnosis,bone specimens and X-ray films allow us to understand the development process and severity of ankylosing spondylitis more directly and accurately.