OBJECTIVES: Neuropathic pain (NP) is one of the most common forms of chronic pain, yet current treatment options are limited in effectiveness. Peripheral nerve injury activates spinal microglia, altering their inflammatory response and phagocytic functions, which contributes to the progression of NP. Most current research on NP focuses on microglial inflammation, with relatively little attention to their phagocytic function. Early growth response factor 2 (EGR2) has been shown to regulate microglial phagocytosis, but its specific role in NP remains unclear. This study aims to investigate how EGR2 modulates microglial phagocytosis and its involvement in NP, with the goal of identifying potential therapeutic targets. METHODS: Adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used to establish a chronic constriction injury (CCI) model of the sciatic nerve. Pain behaviors were assessed on days 1, 3, 7, 10, and 14 post-surgery to confirm successful model induction. The temporal and spatial expression of EGR2 in the spinal cord was examined using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), Western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) was used to overexpress EGR2 in the spinal cord, and behavioral assessments were performed to evaluate the effects of EGR2 modulation of NP. CCI and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) models were established in animals and microglial cell lines, respectively, and changes in phagocytic activity were measured using RT-qPCR and fluorescent latex bead uptake assays. After confirming the involvement of microglial phagocytosis in NP, AAV was used to overexpress EGR2 in both in vivo and in vitro models, and phagocytic activity was further evaluated. Finally, eukaryotic transcriptome sequencing was conducted to screen differentially expressed mRNAs, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses to identify potential downstream effectors of EGR2. RESULTS: The CCI model successfully induced NP. Following CCI, EGR2 expression in the spinal cord was upregulated in parallel with NP development. Overexpression of EGR2 via spinal AAV injection enhanced microglial phagocytic activity and increased pain hypersensitivity in rats. Both animal and cellular models showed that CCI or LPS stimulation enhanced microglial phagocytosis, which was further amplified by EGR2 overexpression. Transcriptomic analysis of spinal cord tissues from CCI rats overexpressing EGR2 revealed upregulation of numerous genes associated with microglial phagocytosis and pain regulation. Among them, Lag3 emerged as a potential downstream target of EGR2. CONCLUSIONS EGR2 contributes to the maintenance of NP by enhancing microglial phagocytosis in the spinal dorsal horn.
Animals ; Microglia/metabolism* ; Phagocytosis/physiology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Neuralgia/physiopathology* ; Early Growth Response Protein 2/metabolism* ; Male ; Rats ; Spinal Cord/metabolism* ; Sciatic Nerve/injuries*

Objective To investigate the effect of growth hormone(GH)pretreatment on the improvement of eu-ploid and pregnancy outcome.Methods A prospective analysis was conducted on 134 patients undergoing preim-plantation genetic testing for aneuploidy(PGT-A),among whom 30 patients were self-controlled and 104 patients were inter-group controlled.According to whether GH was added,the patients were divided into GH pretreatment group and GH non-pretreatment group.GH pretreatment included subcutaneous injection of GH 2U/day for 4-6 weeks before the start of gonadotropin(Gn),and the dose was doubled on the day of Gn until the trigger day.GH non-pretreatment meant no GH treatment,GH pretreatment was given when the previous PGT-A cycle failed within one year when the PGT-A was performed again,forming the self-control group.The basic situation,blastocyst situa-tion and pregnancy outcome were compared between the groups by inter-group and self-control.Results No matter in the group control or self-controlled group,the endometrial thickness on the day of HCG,ovarian sensitivity index(OSI),number of oocytes obtained,MII oocytes,2PN number,2PN fertilization rate,available oocyte rate,num-ber of biopsy blastocysts,number of euploid blastocysts,euploid blastocyst rate,and at least one euploid rate sig-nificantly increased after GH pretreatment,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).The total amount of Gn,Gn days,number of mosaic blastocysts,and mosaic blastocyst rate were not significantly changed after GH pretreatment,with no statistically significant differences.The implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate in-creased after GH pretreatment,but with no statistically significant differences.Conclusion GH pretreatment can significantly improve the number and rate of euploid embryos in patients undergoing PGT-A,and has a tendency to improve pregnancy outcome.

Objective:To understand the loss to follow-up of children born to pregnant women with HIV infection (HIV-exposed children) and analyze its influencing factors in China in 2019.Methods:The data were collected from the follow-up records of pregnant women with HIV infection and their children reported by the national "Management Information System for the Prevention of HIV, syphilis and Hepatitis B Mother-to-Child Transmission" in 2019. HIV-exposed children were defined as those who were not followed up after birth or who were not followed up at 18 months of age and who were not followed up at 21 months of age. The univariate and multivariate influencing factors of loss to follow-up of children born to HIV-infected pregnant women were analyzed by χ2 test and logistic regression model. SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results:The number of HIV-infected pregnant women was 5 039, the number of live-born children was 5 035, the number of loss to follow-up children within 18 months of age was 283, and the loss to follow-up rate children was 5.62%(283/5 035). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the rate of loss to follow-up of exposed children born to pregnant women who worked as farmers (animal husbandry and fishery) (a OR=0.34, 95% CI: 0.22-0.53), unmarried (a OR=0.47, 95% CI: 0.24-0.93), first marriage (a OR=0.38, 95% CI: 0.22-0.67), remarriage (a OR=0.36, 95% CI: 0.20-0.67) and cohabiting (a OR=0.47, 95% CI: 0.23-0.97), and knew they had HIV infection before this pregnancy (a OR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.40-0.70) was lower. Han nationality (a OR=1.52, 95% CI: 1.09-2.13), primary school (a OR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.10-3.89) and junior middle school (a OR=1.81, 95% CI: 1.03-3.17) educational level, non-use of antiviral drugs (a OR=6.21, 95% CI: 4.32-8.93) and delivery in township (street) level midwifery institutions (a OR=5.72, 95% CI: 1.61-20.27) had higher rates of loss to follow-up among infants born to HIV-infected pregnant women. Conclusions:HIV-exposed children still have a specific rate of loss to follow-up in China in 2019. In order to further reduce the rate of loss to follow-up, it is of great significance to improve the detection rate of HIV before pregnancy and the rate of antiviral drugs used in pregnant women with HIV infection, which is of great significance for the effective implementation of comprehensive intervention measures of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Objective:To explore the distribution and hematological characteristics of rare thalassemia-associated mutations in Chenzhou region of Hunan Province with an aim to provide a basis for genetic counseling and effective prevention.Methods:A total of 37 370 individuals enrolled from January 2015 to December 2021 were screened by routine blood test and hemoglobin electrophoresis. The genotypes were determined with high-throughput sequencing.Results:A total of 8 455 thalassemia mutations (including 185 rare ones) were detected, which had involved 27 mutational types. Rare type α-Thalassemia --THAI and CD31 (AGG>AAG) have the typical microcytic hypochromic hematological features, whilst SEA-HPFH, CD14 (CTG>-TG), CD37 (TGG>TAG), -90(C>T), Codon 15 (G>A), IVS-Ⅰ-128 (T>G), CD86 (GCC>GC-) and Chinese Gγ+ (Aγδβ)0 had typical microcytic hypochromic and β-thalassemia-associated hematological features of elevated HbA2 or HbF. In addition, the -50(G>A)heterozygotes of β-thalassemia had normal or slightly decreased MCV and MCH without an increase in HbA2.Conclusion:Various forms of thalassemia-associated mutations have been identified in the Chenzhou region of Hunan Province. Above finding has facilitated development of preventive and control strategies for thalassemia as well as birth health programs.

Objective:To discuss the research status and hotspots of Kaixin Powder.Methods:Literature about Kaixin Powder was retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP, CBM, PubMed and Web of Science databases from the establishment of the databases to January 10, 2023. CiteSpace 6.2.R2 and VOSviewer 1.6.16 software were used to visualize and analyze data on the types of literature included, source journals, publication volume, authors, institutions, keywords, etc.Results:Totally 235 articles were included, mainly Chinese journal article. There were 87 source journals involved, among the Chinese and English journals, China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica and J Ethnopharmacol published the most articles. The overall annual number of articles published in the Kaixin Powder showed an upward trend. It involved 505 authors, forming research teams with Liu Ping, Jiang Yanyan and others as the core; The authors of the included literature came from 99 research institutions, and the cooperation between institutions was mainly based on units with the same or similar geographical area, TCM universities and their affiliated hospitals. The data results of keyword co-occurrence clustering network, keyword co-occurrence time network and keyword emergence analysis showed that the composition of the main active components (ginsenosides, poria acid, fine octyl ethers, ketones and oligosaccharide esters), detection methods (high performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass chromatography), pharmacological effects (anti-Alzheimer's disease, antidepressant), mechanism of action and clinical application of the combination were the current research hotspots and trends in development. Conclusion:The research of Kaixin Powder mostly focuses on the mechanism of action and clinical research of Alzheimer's disease, depression and other diseases, among which the research on the main active components in Kaixin Powder is a hot topic in recent years, while the development trend of pharmacological mechanism of action and clinical application is better, and the correlation between active components and efficacy may become a new hot direction in the research of Kaixin Powder.

Objective:To study the epidemiological characteristics of brucellosis (hereinafter referred to as brucellosis) among non-occupational population in Jinan City, and to provide a basis for formulating further prevention and control measures.Methods:From "the Infectious Disease Monitoring System of the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention", Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Jinan City and its subordinate counties, the epidemiological data and case investigation data of brucellosis in Jinan from 2012 to 2021 were collected and statistically analyzed using descriptive epidemiological methods.Results:From 2012 to 2021, a total of 453 cases of brucellosis were reported in the non-occupational population of Jinan City, accounting for 20.21% (453/2 241) of the total number of cases. The proportion of brucellosis cases in the non-occupational population showed an increasing trend year by year (χ 2tend = 25.50, P < 0.001). Among the non-occupational population, there were 317 males and 136 females, with a gender ratio of 2.33∶1.00; the age was (46.34 ± 17.72) years old, with a minimum age of 1 year and a maximum age of 86 years. The majority of the affected population were farmers, accounting for 71.74% (325/453). The peak onset time was April and May. The main routes of infection were through the digestive tract and respiratory tract, accounting for 36.87% (167/453) and 33.77% (153/453), respectively. The clinical symptoms were mainly fever, muscle soreness, fatigue, and hyperhidrosis. The diagnosis time was 20.0 (7.5, 37.5) d, and the sensitivity of city and district general hospitals to detect and diagnose brucellosis was relatively low. Conclusions:The incidence rate of brucellosis among non-occupational population in Jinan is increasing year by year. The high incidence season is spring, and the high incidence population is male young and middle-aged farmers. Digestive and respiratory transmission are the main transmission routes, with atypical clinical symptoms and a long diagnosis time. The next step is to strengthen the promotion of brucellosis prevention and control knowledge and the training of medical personnel in brucellosis diagnosis.

Objective·To explore the effect of online courses combined with the teach-back method among patients with laryngectomy and their family caregivers.Methods·Convenience sampling was used to select patients with laryngectomy treated in the Department of Otolaryngology,Shanghai Changhai Hospital from July 2022 to June 2023 and their family caregivers.The participants were divided into a control group and an observation group using the random number table method.The intervention was conducted in two different wards.General information of the two groups of patients and caregivers was collected.After admission,the control group watched offline videos recorded by the department.The videos introduced laryngocarcinoma-related knowledge and standard procedures of airway stoma care,suctioning,nasal feeding,etc.,which were divided into 4 sessions with 30 min each.The patients watched one session per week.The observation group watched the same videos(8 lessons)online on their own after admission,while the nursing staff used the teach-back method for health education,consolidating 2 lessons once a week,45 min/session for 4 weeks.The effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated by using Caregiver Preparedness Scale(CPS),Family Caregiver Task Inventory(FCTI),and Chinese Quality of Life Instruments for Cancer Patients-Head and Neck Cancer(QLICP-HN)at baseline(1st week),before discharge(4th week),and one month after discharge(8th week),as well as the incidence of adverse events during home care.Results·The study included a total of 120 pairs of patients and caregivers,with 60 pairs in each group.Five pairs in each group were excluded due to various reasons,leaving a total of 55 pairs in each group.There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of general information of the patients and the caregivers,QLICP-HN scores of the patients,and CPS and FCTI scores of the caregivers at baseline(P＞0.05).Before discharge and 1 month after discharge,the CPS scores of the caregivers and the QLICP-HN scores of the patients in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group,and the FCTI scores were significantly lower(lower scores indicating better nursing care),with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).Within 1 month after discharge,the incidence of adverse home care events in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(5.5%vs 29.1%),and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion·The online courses combined with the teach-back method help improve the readiness to care and caregiving competence of family caregivers of post-laryngectomy patients,improve patients'quality of life,and reduce the incidence of adverse events during home care.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of hypothermia therapy in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy(HIE)through the analysis of amplitude-integrated electroencephalography.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 59 neonates with moderate to severe HIE.They were divided into observation group(n=31,hypothermia therapy)and control group(n=28,conventional therapy)according to different treatment protocols.Chi-square test,independent sample t-test,and one-factor Mann-Whitney U test were used for intergroup difference analysis.Results Significant differences between two groups were observed in lower boundary amplitude after 24 h of treatment,sleep-awake cycle after 72 h of treatment,and total scores after 72 h of treatment(P<0.05).After 48 and 72 h of treatment,the neonates in hypothermia therapy group had obviously lower neuro-specific enolase level than those in control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Early application of hypothermia therapy can significantly improve cerebral function in neonates with HIE and lower the neuro-specific enolase level.

With the booming development of medical information technology and computer science, the medical services industry is gradually transiting from information technology to intelligence. The medical knowledge graph plays an important role in intelligent medical applications such as knowledge questions and answers and intelligent diagnosis, and is a key technology for promoting wise medical care and the basis for intelligent management of medical information. In order to fully exploit the great potential of knowledge graphs in the medical field, this paper focuses on five aspects: inter-drug relationship discovery, assisted diagnosis, personalized recommendation, decision support and intelligent prediction. The latest research progress on medical knowledge graphs is introduced, and relevant suggestions are made in light of the current challenges and problems faced by medical knowledge graphs to provide reference for promoting the wide application of medical knowledge graphs.
Pattern Recognition, Automated ; Medical Informatics

Objective:Rural widowed elderly women living alone may face higher risks of depression and loneliness than general elderly people,which will have an impact on their quality of life.This study aims to explore the correlation of depression and loneliness with quality of life among rural widowed elderly women living alone. Methods:A two-stage cluster sampling method was used to select 234 rural widowed older women living alone in Longshan county,Xiangxi autonomous prefecture,Hunan Province,and a questionnaire survey was conducted with the General Situation Questionnaire,the Geriatric Depression Scale-15(GDS-15),the University of California,Los Angeles(UCLA)Loneliness Scale-8(ULS-8),and the 36 Items Short Form Health Survey(SF-36). Results:The ages of 234 rural widowed older women living alone were(73.29±7.36)years.Among them,103(44.0%)women were detected as depressed,114(48.7%)were not lonely or mildly lonely,111(47.4%)were moderately lonely,and 9(3.9%)were severely lonely.The total quality of life scores were 63.39±19.70.Depression and loneliness were negatively correlated with quality of life(all P<0.001).After adjusting for confounding factors,multiple linear regression analysis showed that age,number of acute and chronic diseases,personal monthly income,depression,and loneliness independently impacted the quality of life among rural widowed older women(all P<0.05). Conclusion:Depression and loneliness can affect the quality of life of rural widowed older women living alone.In healthy aging efforts,the quality of life of these rural widowed older women can be improved by strengthening the management of underlying illnesses,increasing income,and alleviating depression and loneliness.